The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-07
THE REPUBLIC.
Local Matters.

We have visited this new edihce, TO which
attention has lately been directed by report that
il soon to be the theatre of Jenny LIMBS per
formances. IL is situated on the wcst side of the
same square on which the old church Glands, its
front looking toward the west, We will describe
il as we saw it.
The first view obtained on approaching ID of the
south side, about hundred and thirty feet long
the about fifty feet high, the exterior walls in
imitation Of white marble, the windows tall and
narrow. probably twenty feet high and five
WIDE and semicircular at the top While the i'm
pressions produced by this view very pleasing,
there are two subjects that occasion regret. The
rst is, that the beautiful range of windows should
be interrupted the west end to give place to
door for the gallery; the second that this specimen
Of classic architecture should be also married by
the anachronism of steeple and spire reaching to
| the altitude of about seventy five feet from the
| ground-very elegant to be sure, and yet bringing
to mind sentry box the wheel-house OF a west
ern steamboat. The front view presents a pretty
portco of Ionic structure, but so shallow at once
to exclude the shade essential to good effect and
all thoughts of utility. These disadvantages, how
ever, are the inevitable penalty of attempts at m-
tatng in modern structures the architecture Of the
| anciens. The invention OF glass windows alone
called for the thorough improvements that have
as applicable in more majestic odifces for pub
lie uses But they the errors of the times, from
which the popular demands will not permit the
| architect to escape.
| The interior 10 throughout admirable in taste
| and adaptation It's proportions about as fol.
| lows; length l2O feet, width 65, height 40. On
| entering the main door at the west the view is
highly beautiful. The principal altar occupies the
| centre of the eastern end, and stands in recess
more detached in appearance from the main por-
ton of the church than is usual To the right and
left of this two neat vestry rooms. In front of
these rooms, against the partition wall, are two
small affairs. Above these affairs and vestry
| are two galleries, which communicate with each
other above and in the Of the main altar. The
northern gallery will be occupied by the organ and
choir the southern by the scholastics and students
of the college. The affairs not completed, The
railing enclosing them is neater and more modest
| than have usually seen. The pulpit has not
l been built; and, could govern the matter, it
! would not be for we cannot conceive moro de-
sirable position for orator than the estrada in
| front of the altar.
The accommodations for the congregation can
best be viewed from the altar. As you stand here
there appears slight ascent Of the floor toward the
western end. This ascentis not more, however, than
| six or eight inches. There are no side galleries
That over the main door contains thirty pews, de-
signed for coored people, which are, in opinion
| the most desirable pews in the church. On the main
| floor there are one hundred and sixty four pews
From the altar they have the appearance of being all
| of st. Domingo mahogany; but near inspection
is found that only the upper portions ofthe backs
| are made Of this material, the rect being OF the
best Carolina yellow pine, simply coated with
transparent varnsh except the ends next the aises
and these of cast-iron bronzed. and of very
| tasteful pattern. We were informed that two
| thousand two hundred persons could be seated in
| the church, but that the pews were designed for
! a smaller number. From within, the windows
| present lovely appearance; they arc of stained
glass; of varied combinations, two being alike.
The walls arc plastered i'll imitation Of white mar
bic blocks, with the regular projection for CORN
THAN columns painted in imitation of Italian mar
BILE, the bases of Egyptian. The entabaturo is of
pure white, and of unabridged proportions. The
ceiling is very slightly vaulted, and painted in
most exquisite style in imitation of dome. lts
very slight concavity and skilful painting produce
an illusion from which it is hard to escape. Upon
it the eye will often dwell in the eor to ascertain
the true curves of this intricate canopy.
The whole effect of the edifce, both without and
within, with the exception of the perhaps hyper.
critical objections we have preferred is pleasing in
very high degree. There is much elegant taste
displayed throughout. The proportions are in good
keeping and quiet order seems to prevail that
| not fail TO impress every one most agreeably. The
execution of the work appears TO us to be perfect.
Literally, this church is built upon rock, and the
| superstructure has been made TO correspond with
its firm foundation. We are informed that ts cost
will not exceed twenty or twenty three thou
sand dollars If so, it is certainly a cheap edfce.
| Mr.. Matthew Duffy is the architect and builder;
| Mr.. John II. Plant, the brickayer; Mr.. Beckcrt,
plssterer; MIR. Finch, painter; the artistic paint
ing Of the ceiling, &c, by amateur, scholastic
\ at the College, whose name we have not learned;
the many excellent iron castings, by Mr.. Snyder.
A HANDsoME MAsaoN.-The dwelling lately
! occupied by the Prussian minister, at the corner
| of q and Eighth streets, Immediately north OF the
Patent Office, is now the residence of the Hon. n.
X. HALL, Postmaster General. II was always in
our estimation, a neat and most desirable resi-
dence; but the addition Of a story to its altitude,
while it has added greatly TO the extent of its ac
| comnodations, has also rendered il more symmet-
rical and stately. The interior has been put in
fine order, and every thing is adapted to the com
| fort and convenience Of its occupant. It belongs
TO Mr.. J. Gideon. The improvements have been
| conducted under the direction Of Mr.. c. T. Wood
The brick work, which has been ingeniously made
10 CofTtspohu 30 Coscly with inc ola portlOn as 70
| defy detection, has been done by the Messrs. Nc
Collum; and the painting by Mr.. Thomas Stanley.
LOOK TO YOUR DooRs.-0n Tuesday night, at a
| late hour, an attempt made to break open the
front door Of the house Of Mrs. Thaw at the corner
| of 4th street and New York avenue Mrs T.
called for her son (who was not at honey to hasten
| down; and the robbers, thus deceived, beat re-
treat, leaving portion OF their working tools he.
| hind them.
MLrTARY,-The Walker shsrpsbooters, Lieuten-
ant Birkhcad in command, paraded in fine style in
| our streets yesterday, accompanied by Fishers
| excellent martial band. Last evening they gave
ball at the Odd-Fellows' Hall, where, doubt
not, the time was passed in gay and happy enjoy
ment.
A
\ Board of Health.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
November 6, 1850.