Studio: international art (65.1915)

In Memoriam: Charles Edward Mallows

IN MEMORIAM : CHARLES ED-

WARD MALLOWS. BY ALFRED
YOCKNEY.

The death on June 2 of Mr. C. E. Mallows,
F.R.I.B.A., came as a shock to most of his ac-
quaintances and to those who only knew him by
his work. For some time the state of his health
had caused anxiety to his relations and to an
intimate circle of friends, but his end was unex-
pected. His work was so excellent and attractive
that every one regrets his death, apart from the
sense of personal loss. His opportunities to fulfil
his ambitions would have increased and no doubt
the results would have been important. He was
only fifty years of age and had his destiny been
otherwise he would have contributed still more to
the art of the day.

An architect must be judged by the buildings he
has executed, unless, like Mr. Thomas Hardy, he
has deserted the practice of architecture and has
developed his talents otherwise. Many men have
succeeded well by using the foundations of their
careers for other than the original purposes, and
though they may adorn a different walk in life,
their early training is of vital consequence. Men
could be named also who are architects by pro-

fession but who are known equally well for attain-
ments unconnected with building. They lead dual
lives, as it were, without the stigma usually attached
to that state. It is significant that the late Mr.
Mallows avoided the temptation to abandon his
profession entirely or to share it with some other
occupation. The inducements were obvious. He
had gifts which would have won him fame apart
from his aptitude for building and it was natural
that, modestly conscious of such possibilities, he
should consider the different future open to him.
But he always refused the beckoning sirens in the
other fields of art. So it was with work supple-
mentary to his calling. He wrote occasionally, for
instance, but only to amplify the message conveyed
by his admirable drawings or in appreciation of
a brother architect. He illustrated books, but not
those with an alien subject. Everything he did
was a means to one end and that was Architecture.
He felt the nobility of his theme and made it his
chief consideration in life.

Mallows was a great artist, producing fine work
and inspiring others to do likewise. His enthusiasm
was contagious and his influence was far-reaching.
He was thorough and took far more trouble over
the details of his -work than is often supposed to be
possible by men of genius. His business drawings