The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-28
LOCAL MATTERS.


exterior which have added much TO its appearance.
The operations of the mechanics and others in the
interior have prevented notice Of what going
on heretofore; but they have nearly completed and
as the hotel is now being prepared for speedy
opening, we availed ourselves Of the courtesy of
Mr.. K. ID. Willard of recent thorough examna
tion the result Of which is laid before our readers.
The old entrancesto the hotel have beenclosed and
there but grand entrance in the centre of the
main building, Except the ladies' entrance,) which
leads directly through colonnade of light cast
iron pillars TO the hotel Office at the end, command
ing view of the entire interior circle of the hotel
and the observation of all arriving guests To the
left of this three large and commodious sitting
rooms, tastefuy set up by beautiful sofas for pub
lie accommodation; and further on, the bar-room,
retired and not interfering, by noise otherwise,
with the guests Of the hotel. The other rooms ex-
tending ON the western wings are occupied by pub
lie dressing rooms, sc. The colonnade extends
round the main building, protected by raising and
drop windows, afiording delightful promenade at
all seasons, as also the corridors around the
three sides of the building for four stories-beng
decided improvement upon any thing we have
in hotel conveniences, especially in cold or dis
agreeable weather, when they are heated with hot
air furnaces. The paving in the court has also
Sp
ornamented with flowers, shrubbery. &c, in the
midst of which fountain i. playing continuous
stream. The plat is encircied with pavement, ON
which the guests can stroll at leisure.
Ascending the second story, we come to the par
Tors, chambers, and drawing rooms and, first of
all, in the main building
THE LADIES' DRAWING RooM.-This equals in
the splendor of its adornments, any hotel parlor
witnessed. The furniture, consisting of sofas,
fauteuils, and other chairs, Stools &C., is of
the Elizabethian order, covered with beautiful
lowered mOquette, numbering twenty pieces, and
was manufactured by those celebrated artisans of
New York, Messrs. J. J. w. Meek, especially
for the National. The carpets are of the richest
velvet, ornamented with tasteful marine views
and were imported by Stewart, of New York, as
were also the four Administer rugs which are
to be found in the drawing The curtains, of
heavy green silk lined with red, were also pro-
cured of Stewart. In the middle Of the room are
placed two handsome rosewood tables overland
with Italian marble, manufactured by the Meeks.
The mantels are of fine Egyptian marble, set off by
beautiful vases painted in OIL imported by Stewart
from Paris Two magnificent mirrors, six feet by
six, adorn the ROOM set in the highest style of gild-
ing by Mr.. Francis Lamb, of this city, and in the
northern end of the drawing room is a pier glass,
nine feet by eight, framed also in highly finished
gilt by Mr.. Lamb. The ceiling is painted in resco
by Dreycr, the celebrated artist in tasteful man
ner, and the walls set off with the finest French
papering by MIR. S. p. Franklin. The room is
lighted with magnificent chandelier from Corne-
lius of Philadelphia.
Passing from thence, we enter upon a suite of
parlors and chambers, connecting Herewith, in
the main building, elegantly furnished, and pro-
vided with every CONFERENCE.-The furniture all
being mahogany, and manufactured expressly for
the house. We noticed i'll these parors-and, in
deed, throughout the holise-a new style of shade
chintze curtains introduced, which are very rich
in their appearance, and give pleasing effect to
the eye of the visitor.
In chamber attached TO one Of these parlors is
a patent bedstead, upon which is paillasse, and
mattrass, from the Meeks-a invention. but
one which seemed TO be Of incalcuable comfort TO
the votaries Of sleep. To the right of these parlors
and on the southwest corner Of the building is the
gentlemen's drawing club room. attached to
which is conmodious dining room, for the pur-
pose Of entertaining clubs vsiters any of the
guests of the hotel at private dinners. This room
ia also finely furnished, the walls and ceiling Of
which have been tssteiully papered by Moore, of
this city. Passing these, the western wing We
come upon another suite of parlors, with chambers
attached, the walls Of which painted in different
coors, the furniture VI each corresponding thereto
and they thence called the blue parlor. green
parlor, &c. These pariors also curtained in the
same style as previously mentioned and, in addi-
ton thereto furnished with window shades Of
chntre, supplied by Stewart, which article,
and not affected by the rays of the sun. The
third story the east Side of the front building
Immediately above the drawing room, is for the
oommodation -oi che ladies', and connects with the
bathing rooms, &c, entirely disconnected from
other parts of the building. Parlors and chambers
extend along the front and Of the main build
ing, the rooms in the latter now being made dec-
dedly confortable; the old corridor this and tho
story above having been entirely cleared away,
the rooms now the most desirable in the hotel.
The remainder Of this story and the entire upper
TO be occupied chambers for guests--the
furniture all being entirely new, and the beds and
bed furniture, &c, having all been made up ex-
pressly for the establishment.
The LADIES OsDrSApY.-Descending 10 the first
story again, on the east wing, Immediately con-
nected with the main building, IL the ladies ordi-
nary, 30 by 50 feet, elegantly carpeted and fur.
nishod with hair-sest mahogany chairs, &c. and
lighted with brilliant chandelier, from Corpe-
lus's The ceiling lie painted in fresoo in Drcycr's
best style, and the ordinary presents cheerful and
elegant appearance.
The gentlemen's dining room IL Just beyond the
ordinary, and is large and airy room, capable Of
seating $50 guests. II is lighted by three massive
chandeliers, manufactured also by Cornelius.
To the east OF the dning-room, and descending
a few stairs, is the vasb-room, supplied by hot
water from steam boiler, and in which constant
stream Of hot and cold water is at command. Ad.
joining this is an ironing room, a linen room, &C,
all arranged in the most perfect order
THr KITcHrS.-Last, but not least importsn nj in
the survey Of the proposed comforts Of the National
is the great care bestowed upon the culinary de-
partment, which seems clean and well arranged
as a parlor English jacks, stews, steak-roasters,
spits, &c, are arranged ms not To conflict with
cath other In operations, and the process Of cooking
Is so carried on, that the smell of the kitchen
shall not offend the Of the most fastidious
The kitchen is 50 by 80 feet. The bake house at
tsched thereto IL provided with extraordinarily
large ovcn capable Of baking, daily, all the bread
pastry, &c. for 5000 persons. Psntries connect