The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-11-17
From the Boston Patriot.
UNITED STATES B.9.NK.


On the seventh inst the United States
Branch Bank commenced business, in tho
new md magnificent editice, which has
been erected during the past year in State
street.
As specimen ofchaste Grecian arch-
lecture and excellence Of workmanship, it is
one of the frat structures in our country.
1t is ninaty-six feet long and forty four feet
wide built oil granite, remarkably we'll ham
mcred. The foundation is formed Of mas
sive blocks of stone, and the floors are sup.
ported upon ground arches, exhibiting great
science and mechanical skill, i'll their s,ruc.
1urc, combining vast strength and conyen-
lcnce in the cellar vaults and passages
which communicate with them.
The front is that OF a temple in Pasastatu,,
OF the DoTic order. The two columns Of
the Portico are twcnty-four feet high and
four feet in diameter at the base the shatts
Nrc each formed of one block of granite
the whole of the entablature ia Composed
of immense pieces Of stone, particularly the
nrchtravc and triczc, which give an impos-
ing grandeur TO the whole cdihce.
The interior arrangements arc admirably
well contrivcd to render the various apart
mcnts airy AMI convenient, for the purpos-
cS for which they arc intended.
The entrance, from the portico, is into q
vestibule, on each sido Of which are neat
private Offices, for the President and Cash
icr. In the centre is the Banking Room
which is in the form of a ,otunda, thirty-six
feet in diuncter and iorty-tour feet high.
The interior Of the dome, which is ingen-
lously constructed of brick and stone, is
Ia ~,
lar sky-hght in the Centre. Connecting
with this splendid apartment ere three i'm
pregnable and FIRE proof vaults for specie
and bills, formed of enormous blocks of
granite, with double iron doors, screened
by exterior ones OF mahogany, TO harmon
ize with the others and in the furniture
which Is of the same material. The floor
discovered with rich carpeting. In the rear
OF the Banking Room is the Porter's Lodge
and the passages which communicate with
the back area and the Loan and Pension
Offices, situated III the second and third sto-
rIes. 81
In front, over tho Presidents aud Cash
lcr's Offices Is spacious vaulted saloon, in
which the Directors hold their mectings.--
Tho arched ceiling and walls ale covered
with stucco, and the former is smbellished
by neat pannel work The furniture is Of
the same beautiful material On that of the
rotundo. The roof of the building is COW
cred with copper, and the whole Of the ey-
terror is iirc-proof as all the surfaces are
stone, iron and copper.
Such grand public ediices not only en-
bclilsh the city, but they are glorious mon
umcnts of the rapid advance of the arts.
while they serve as valuable models of ar
chitccture. taste uud of the high perfection
TO which the mechanical industry. enter
prise and skill OF our countrymen have al
tanned. So much are we the slaves of tv-
rant custom,-right or wrong,--that novel
theories, or precepts in the arts, science,
or morals are slowly adopted, however ap.
parent may be their excellence, withoutthe
imposing exhibition Of prccedcnfs. But
within few years, better architectural
taste has becn super induced, and is widely
extending. IN consequence Of the laudubc
efforts oi some OF our wealthy and public
spirited citizens. Several public and pri-
yate edihccs have been erected. in the me.
tropolis of the state, and the vicinity, which
would do honor to any age or country.
n. M. Rothschild. or London. the rren,
Loan Contractor with the Europeun and
Brazilian Governments. aud his four BROTH
ers, are said 10 be worth iuore than 10000.
Go pounds sterling, .eqsL to ucS $1,000
900 dollarsI