Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-06-09
[From the N. Y. Mercantile Adv. o. the 3lst ult
ASTOR HOTEL.

commenced two years since, was opened yes
terday to the inspection of the editors OF the
public press, and we had The opportunity to
pass through this magnificent edifce, and to
take birds eye view Gifts internal arrange
ments. F4 "a
{ The hotel is situated in Broadway, and oc-
'cupies the block between Vesey and Bar
clay streets opposite the Park. Its front on
Broadway, is about 200 feet, and is 80 feet
on Barclay and Vesey streets. The extern
or is of Quincy granite, and, viewed in any
direction, makes plain yet an imposing ap
pearance. 1t is five stories in height The
wings of this building form a hollow square,
the yard being in the centre-so that the
rooms on all sides receive light and air from
the streets and centre.
The lower story of this building is occupied
by stores, whose entrance on Broadway are
nearly even with the side walks; they are ten
la number, and there are five stores on Ve-
sey and Barclay streets. The main entrance
to the Hotel is in the centre OF the building
on Broadway-it has also entrances Oh the
other streets above named. The main en-
trance opens to u splendid vestibuIe, support
ed by columns, the floor of which i, OF Mosa-
ic work, of blue and white marble, and this
marble extends throughout the halls of this
floor, and has very pretty effect. On the
north Of the vestlbule is the "office," answer
ing TO the description Of "the bar" as named
in other public houses.
On the south OF the office is the Gentle
mems Reading Room. On the first floor is
the Dining Room, which is on the Barclay
street wing, and 100 by 40 feet, with cell
ing 10 g feet high. On the same floor, on
the corner Of Broadway aud Barclay sts., is
the Gentlemon's Drawing or Smoking and
Conversation Room-thls room commands a
fine view Of the Park, City Hall and Broad .
way. On the same floor. corner Of Vesey :
street and Broadway, is the Ladies Drawing
Room, which is richly and elegantly furnish
ed with Brussels carpctlng marble tables, OF
tomans, sofas, and chairs, Of splendid work
mansbip and costly materials.
On the Vesey street wing Is the Ladies
Dining Room, sufficiently capacious to seat
100 ladies' and is richly furnished. The
first ioor contains about twenty parlors.-I
The second floor has Hall running the
whole length of the building on Broadway,
and on Vescy and Barclay streets. The
rooms which look into the streets are furnish
cd as parlors, and on the opposite side of the
hall are the bed rooms. On this floor on
Broadway, is Club Room, which has been
named 1.-THE Dukes ROOM" probably intend !,
ed as the abode of 80 important parsonage,
should one condescend TO visit our wooden
country.
The third and fourth stories, like the first
and second, have halls running the whole
length of each wing, with parlors on one side
and bed rooms opposite. The ith story,
which displays from the exterior the orna-
mented circular windows, like the other sto-
ries have halls running throughout, with bed
rooms on both sides. This story is lighted,
in addition TO the circular windows OH the
sides, from sky.lights in the roof.
The rooms are, all Of ample dimensions,
the halls leading to them are wide, and the
stairs throughout the building are of easy as
cent; very important consideration 10 the ia
tigued traveller. They are also well lighted
and ventilated.
The upper rooms command 4 very extern
sive view of the city and public buildings
Those on the south and western wings over
look the Hudson, the lower and upper bays,
the Islands, the Jersey shore, and beautiful
and interesting view of the shipping at the
wharves, and the spreading canvass Of hum
dreds OF vessels arriving aud departing from
what may be termed the c commercial empori-
um of the western world.
The rooms throughout this building are
completed and furnished, not in n gaudy,-.
but simple and beautiful style. With the ex-
ception Of two or three rooms, the sofas, bu-
reaus, tables, bed steads, chairs, &c. are made
Of black walnut, which has rich and substan-
tial appearance, aud receive polish like ma
hogany. This furniture, we understand, is
from the ware rooms of Mr.. Meeks; part of
the chairs, which are OF mahogany, were
made by Messrs. Edwards s; Baldwin. The
beds and bedding have the appearance ofease
and comfort, and the cleanly appearance Of
the whole cannot but afford comfort to the
traveller, as well as to those who may make
this Hotel their abiding place. The Hotel is
lighted with gas, and there are water closets
extending throughout the buildings, attached
to each suit Of rooms.
The Kitchen occupies room on one oftbe
wings, looking into the yard, the flooring of
which is on a level with the Dining Room,
and is of easy access to it-a very important
as the dishes can be conveyed
from thence in smoking state, and thus the
lover Of good things have them nice and
warm and in all their goodness directly from
the hands of the artists. The arrangements !
for roasting, frying, stewing, boiling, &C..
are all upon the most modern and approved
methods, the spts, Sc. being turned and all
the cooking going on by steam. whilst the
baking is done in the celebrated Rumford ov-
en,-a conthvance which adds 20 per cent
10 the pastry, over that OF any other.
Under the Kitchen is spacious Washing
Room, and adjoining, room for ironing, with
tubs and troughs for hot and cold water
The Ironing Room contains wooden frames
on rollers, to receive clothes for drying, which
pass TO and fro, receiving heat from steam
through pipes which pass through
these rooms.
In another story, on the Barclay street