Cotmania. Vol. VI. 1930-31

The lurking fallacy in the "function-
alist" movement as at present conducted
is betrayed in the frequent references to
ships, motor-cars and aeroplanes. These
are purely sentimental. Conscious delight
in such constructions, except on severely
practical grounds, is akin to the small
boy's romantic enthusiasm for the steam
locomotive. the constructions are de-
signed, and rapidly designed, for more or
less rapid movement in a more or less
horizontal direction. Apart from that they
have no artistic merit in design. To de-
sign a building, which is to stand still, in
terms of something intended for rapid
movement - to streamline a thing which,
in fact, does not stream - may be charm-
ing sentiment, but it is very bad function-
alism. There is just this to be said for
stressing the horizontal over the vertical
members of the steel cage, that the human
movement in the building is mainly hori-
zontal and the horizontal tendency - in
suggested movement - is better adapted
than the vertical to street design. An un-
interrupted run of window is, again, an
obvious advantage.

Article on 'The Changing Face
of London' 'Times'. 6.8.30.

On one wall is a series of J.S. Cotmans, including a fresh batch from
the Bulwer collection, and two pieces of peculiar distinction, the 'Mount St. Catherine, Rouen,' a
splendidly finished view from the river with boats and figures, dated
1823, and a fascinating sketch in black-and-white chalk, 'Carting in a Wood.'
Glasgow Herald . 3.7.30. (On exhibition at Walker's Gallery of Old Water Colours.