The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-06-27
OUR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

The public buildings recently erected on Court
aud High streets, are indeed an ornament to our
Town.
The JAIL.
This building is located at the intersection of
High and Washington streets. The front build
ing is neat brick edifce. forty feet front, by 20
feet deep, and two stories high. surmounted by
cupalo in which the County bell is placed. The
front building is intended for the residence of the
Keeper of the Jail, one room of which is comfor-
taby fitted up for tho unfortunate debtors There
is passage through this building leading direct
ly to the prison, which is in the rear, and joined
to the front building. The prison is built entire
ly of stone and iron. There are five separate
apartments in it fitted up in modern style, with
a reservoir under the building, with culvert
and cast iron pipe to take off all the filth to
marsh near at hand, washed by the tide at it's ebb
and flow. The water from the buildings is
thrown into this reservoir by cutters There is
pump on the premises for supply of water for
the inmates, and to aid in cleansing the reservoir.
The exterior of the lot is enclosed with a strong
plank fence eight feet high. The prison yard :,
proper, is enclosed with brick wall sixteen feet
high, capped with stone.
THE Court House.
The Court House is located at the intersection
of Court and High streets, tho lot being $50 feet
on High, and ll3 on Court streets, the building
is 80 feet on High by 81 feet on Court streets,
and is.two stories high, surmounted by cupalo.
The basement being divided--affords two spa
cious rooms in the west end for the Superior and
County Courts Clerks Office
The basement is IL feet pitch, the east half
of which is intended for an Election Room,
and for single Magistrates Court, and is we'll
fitted and arranged for the purpose, amply pro.
vided with windows and DOORS The second
story is twenty feet from floor to ceiling, and the
whole height Of the building is 33 feet. The
exterior of the building is handsomely laid of,
showing pilasters between the windows. The
High street front shows handsome poriico, 80
feet lsng, projecting 10 feet from the mais build
ing; the roof supported by four handsome COL
umns, tastefully capped and all neatly finished
with stone floor. The main entrance to the
Court Room is on Court street, by fight Of
twenty stone steps, 10 recessed portico 20 by
10 feet--the roof being supported over this por
tico by two handsome columns, in the same style
81 feet square-the Bench is elevated about three
feet from the floor, in slight circular form, with
a neat railing accessible by two flights Of steps,
located At each side Of the room, and furnished
with cushioned arm chairs to accommodate TWEEN
ty-four Magistrates. Immediately below tho
Bench are three seats for the Grand and other Ju-
Yes In front Of the Jurors, in the centre, and in
front Of the Judges seats, are the arrangements
for the Clerk, enclosed with neat mahogany rail
and bannisters 10 feet by g. The bar separating
the audience from the Court is of mahogony, with
bsnnisters, and in a circular form to correspond
with the Bench. On each side Of the bar is
SherifF's box. adjoining which are tho entrances
to within the bar by small gateways-in charge
Of the Sheriff and HE deputies. Seats ron cor
responding with the bar-within which are the
chairs and desks for the Attorneys. In front of
tbs Clerk 10 long Handsome table, neatly covered