The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-07

The design for the whole structure contemplated
the erection Of the other three sides to correspond
with this, and leaving open court in the centre
The eastern side is now In progress and has gone
on with rapid strides. We believe that no modern
work of like magnitude has in this, or il may be
in any other country, been erected with equal
speed; and we assured that this haste is
dercd free from all risk, by means Of the substitu
ton, to great extent, of fine hydraulic cement
for the ordinary mortar of lime and sand
This wing is 60 feet in width by 272 in length
Its third story will consist Of single room, the
ceiling Of which will be 80 feet high. Its exterior
| side and ends are of very white marble, Of excel
lect quality, supplied by Mr.. Thomas Symngton,
from bis quarries twelve miles from Baltimore,
the Susquehannah Railroad. The side facing the
court within is Of granite of fine quality from the
quarries Of Messrs. Green and Sumwalt near Balti
more.
We understand that the walls will be completed
to the tops of the pasters this fall, and that, in
consequence of the necessities Of the commission for
taking the census, the lower range of rooms will
also by this time be prepared for its Although
the building will not be rooted in the two tiers of
arches above will amply protect the persons en-
ployed in these rooms; but the entrance to them
may be deemed for time less agreeable than may
be desired.
To Mr.. Mills, the architect who has the main
direction in this building, great praise is DUE for
the skill and attention he has uniformly devoted
to it. The system of inspecting and determining
upon the merits and value of each piece of work,
as it is completed, is found to insure prompt and
workmanlike execution. The marble workers,
Messrs Provost & Winter; the granite workers,
Messrs Berry; the carpenter, Mr.. Mohun; and the
bricklayer, Mr.. Havenner, spoken of, by all
who have examined the premises, in terms of high
appreciation. We may also add that the supplies Of
bricks, lime. and cement, by Messrs. Crown,
Hoover, and Coburn, respectively, are delivered in
an entirely satisfactory manner.
The west wing of this building, in consequence of
the low ground upon which it will stand, will con-
tain four stories; but as no appropriation has yet
been made for it's erection, the foundation wall that
has been laid will be prepared in the best manner
practicable for preservation, and rest for time
The northern side will not be commenced, we pre-
sumo, until the other sides shall all have been fin
ished.
To the wing in progress we have heard no
objections urged. 1t is by all declared to give
every indication of strength and beauty; butviewed
part of the old free-stone cdice upon granite
base that forms the centre Of the great structure, it
undoubtedly presents singular appearance. Yet
it is important that criticism should fall Alright.
With the knowledge we possess of the material
used in the older portion who would desire its
in the other portions2 No one, presume. And
what other material would be better suited for the
purpose than that now employed? We know Of none
The use of this is therefore, right. Where, then
must censure rest? If anywhere upon the use of
the soft stone in the old structure; and that carries
US back to time with the minute history of which
we are not now familiar As practical philosophers,
a.. A.
pursuance of this purpose, we regard the twofold
duty before very plain. 1t consists of simply
completing the edifce, in uniformity with the
| wing in progress, and then amending that
which is defective by facing ts lower portions with
white marble, and painting the upper parts to
respond with this using also like means to adapt
its walls to the granite that will form the other
three sides. This TO be sure, will not be well
if the better material had been used from the be-
| ginning; but is il not the best course that
be pursued!
| WATCH HOUSE RETuRNs.-Those who have OBJ
served the disorderly conduct of the negroes who
loter about the Centre Market house, will not be
surprised TO learn that seventeen Of them ap-
pretended and put in the Watch-housc on Satur-
day night. Yesterday morning, upon good prom
ICES and the payment of costs, they discharged
Three white gentlemen, who had been eated and
noisy, were made to give bonds for their good be-
haviour. We have been requested 10 publish their
names, which would promptly do, if violence,
assaults and house breaking had been perpetrated
| by them, by others upon late occasion; but of
| this one thing we can assure them, that though,
Iago says, "the best sometimes forget" in their
forgetfuness the beet sometimes become the worst,
and the next frolic may in all probability lead to
such acts as deserve and will assuredly receive ex-
| posture.
Wire WALKTSe.-A gentleman, whose name
We understand to be Ryningcr, on Saturday after
noon last walked from the dormer window Of the St.
Charles Hotel at the Of Sd street and Pennsyl
vania avenue an altitude Of 40 feet, to point on the
ground 500 feet distant, upon wire about third
OF an inch in diameter A very large number OF
persons were present TO behold the performance.
which they much admired. We arc not informed
to the advantages to result from this difficult
art. When juggler showed TO Alexander the
Great his skill in throwing peace through the eye Of
a needle, that monarch rewarded him with peck
| Of pease.