The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-12

the relative proportion Of each of the
materials employed. and the details Of
construction, are quite different from its
English prototype, and give it an archi
tectnral effect and character of its own.
The general idea of the Ncw.Yor
Building is Greek cross surmounted by
dome at the intersection. The length
of each diameter of the cross is 365 feet
and 6 inches and the width of the arms
is l10 feet and inches. This does not
include the three entrance halls project
10 wards Sixth Avenue. Forlieth and
Forty-second streets which are each II
feet wide, aud approached by fights of
steps
The dome, noble aud beautiful in its
proportions,is the chief architectural fea-
ture Of the building. Its diameter is 100
feet, and iia height to the springing line
is nearly 70 feet. and to tho crown Of the
arch l23 feet 1t is the largest, as well
as almost the caly dome hitherto erected
in the United States. To our anlravel-
ed countrymcn j, may be an instructive
example of the beauty and fnc architcc.
tural effect Of which this structure is
capable. although its dimensions arc
trivial when compared with the majestic
domcs of tho Pantheon or ST. Peters,
Or those other wonderful crections of
classic and medieval times when archi.
ture was a passion, and united with rcli.
gious cnthus;asm to produce the triumphs
Of the Art The dome is supported by
n columns. which rise beyond the sec.
ond story, and to height Of G2 feet a.
bovc Tie principal floor.
"Thc external walls of the building
are constructed of cast-iron framing and
panel-work, into which are inserted the
sashes of the windows and the louTcrs
for ventilation The glass is one-eightE
Of an inch thick, and was manufactured
at the Jackson Glass Works. n Y, and
afterwards enamelled by Cooper \ Bel
cher, Of Camptown, n. j. The enamel,
with which the whole of it is covered. is
laid upon the glass with brush, and af-
ter drying. is subjected to the intense
heat Of a kiln, by which the coating is
vitrifiel, and rendered as durable as the
glass itself. 1t produces an effect simi-
lar to that Of ground glass. being trans
lucent but not transparent. The SUMS
rays, dilfuscd by passing through it,yield
an agreeable light, and are deprived oe
that intensity of heat and glare wEich
belongs to them in this climate. In tho
absence of similar precauton in
the Crystll Palace of Hyde Park,
whose roofs, as well as walls, were in
closed with transparent glass, it was
found necessary TO cover the interior of
the building with canvass to produce tho
required shade
The colors employed on the exterior
and interior a,o mixed in oil, the base be-
ING the white lead manufactured by the
Bellcyllio Co. The exterior presents
the appearance of a building construct
cd Of a light-colored bronze, of which
all features purely ornamental are Of
gold.
The building is supplied with gas and
water in every part. The gas is design
ed for the use Of the police in protect
ing the property by night. The water
is accessible at numerous points, with
convcnionces for drinking, and also for
the attachment of hose in case of fire
To complete our explanation of tho
construction Of the building, we reca-
pitulate It's principal dimensions.
From principal Floor to Gal TT. IN.
lery Floor, 24
From do. DO. 10 tier Of Giriers, A Al
do do. to top Of Sd do 80 10
do DO. to ridge of Nave, 67 /
do. DO to top.of upper
ring of Dome, l23 II
10Th Avenue curb-stonc to
top of Lantern, Isl
" do. do to top of Towers ~ Q
Area Of first floor, l57,l9j So feet.
I'd %. 1876 ''