13 JUNE 1868, Page 3

The Government has decided that Mr. Street shall be architect-

for the Palace of Justice and Mr. Barry for the new National Gallery, and it is currently believed by the sanguine that about five years hence the actual buildings will be commenced. No alteration, however, has yet been announced in the truly English system of paying the architects by a per-centage upon the outlay, and thus bribing them to waste as much money as they possibly can, an engagement they, as a rule, most earnestly fulfil. Suppose Mr. Street were offered 50,000/. if he finished the work within the estimate, with a forfeit of 10,000/. for every 100,0001. in excess?