The Royal Academy, moved by the Time-Spirit into revo. lutionary
courses, on Tuesday chose a well-known architect, Sir Aston Webb, as its eleventh President, in succession to Sr Edward Poynter. Wyatt, the notorious architect who damaged so many of our Cathedrals under pretence of " metering them, was chosen President in 1805, and held office for a short time until Benjamin West had made up his quarrel with his fellow-Academicians and resumed the Chair. Save in this instance, the painters have monopolized the Presidency, ignoring the sister...arta of sculpture and architecture. We are delighted that this stupid ban has now been removed, and that the Academy has proclaimed an architect as the official head of the artistic profession. We cannot profess any admiration for Sir Aston Webb's work, but London abounds in solid evidenoe of his industry. The new Victoria and Albert Museum, the Admiralty Arch, the new front of Buckingham Palace, and the Grand Trunk Railway offices near Trafalgar Square are among the large buildings with which the stew President has erulowed- we will not say adorned—the capital.
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