The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-03
Correspondence.
NEW YORK.

hons-- --FtSttorS-Aperdge AHeHddHce--
Model Of the Washington Monunenf-In-
scriptions--P Present state of the Monument
-Contribations TO the Cduse--Departure
Of Lord ELesnierc-Dedth Of Rev. DR..
Parks-Arriral of an Irish Pdtriot-- Con- |
eict from Australia.
New YORK, July g., 1853.
Mr.. EDITOR Reaction is always equal
to action; so the natural Philosophers tell
rs, and we find it true in our own case
The storm of excitement, which ten days
ago, on the occasion of the Presidents visit
and opening of the Crystal Palace, set us all
adrift, has been followed by complete calm.
Those who have been detained in the city
by desire to see the pageant, have follow
ed in the wake Of the rest, and left US poor
slaves of business behind to the tender mcr-
cies OF foul atmosphere, filthy cutters, and
red hot bricks. We will postpone our Jere-
miads, however, and embrace this opportuui-
ty Of escorting you to the Palace, taking
leisure view of the exterior, and glancing at
the materials, dimensions, &c.-what they
call ut Congress the statistics.
The Idea ofthe Exhibition was of course
suggested by the one in London. The COM
pany was incorporated in March 1859, and
shortly afterwards, obtained from the city
authorities, for the nominal consideration of
one dollar, the lease for FIVE years Of lot
ofground 455 feet long and 445 feet wide,
adjoining the lower Croton Reservoir, and
known as Reservoir Square. The unfayor-
able shape of the ground for architectural
purposes obliged the Directors to reject
many of the designs which were submitted :;
they Mt last, however, decided in favor of one
handed in by two artists of this city, Carsten
son and Gildemeister. The form is that of
a Greek Cross, the arms of which arc of
equal size, their length being 365 feet and
their width I49. Where they intersect,
magnificent dome one hundred feet in dame
ter, has been constructed. Though of
course inferior in size and splendor to the
celebrated dome of the Pantheon, or that of
the eighth wonder of the world-St. Peters
Mt Rome, it yet far exceeds anything we
have before had in this country, and shows
of what fine architectural effect this structure
is capable. To gain the room which il was
found necessary to have, the spaces between
the arms of the cross were enclosed and ad.
ded to the main edifice. These triangular
addi tons, however; were carried up only one
story so that while the ground plan is octa-
gonnl in shape, the upper part preserves the
original form Of cross. From the top of
the dome, floats the American Flag, while
from the octagonal towers at the extremeties
OF the arms, wave the Penons of France
England, and other European states.
Masonry hos been altogether avoided, in
the construction, and wood as much as pos
sible. For these iron has been aubstitated
with the best results. OF the lAster material
1900 tons of cast and 800 tons of wrought
have been employed. The whole is enclos-
ed with glass, one eighth of an inch in thick.
ness and rendered translucent by enammel-
ing. Fifty-five thousand square feet ofglass
thus prepared have BEEN used.
Henry Greenough, brother of the lament
ed sculptor of that name, has had charge of
tfel 8 orations ofthe building. He has per-
formed his part with taste and Judgment
The iron work of the exterior as been paint
ed delicate bronze, while tho ornaments
are gilt, thus standing out in beautiful re.
lief The prevailing tone of tie inside is
a rich cream color, relieved by the judici-
GUS use of red, blue and yellow, and gilt
ornaments occasionally intersperced. All
the decorations are done in oil colors ex-
cept those of the dome, which are execu-
ted in Tempera on canvass.
Although there is no immense crowd of
visitors, as on the day of opening, and al
though when you enter owing to the vast
ness of the edifce you think there are very
few there, yet the records show that tie in
terest has not abated and that the attendance
is quite respectable. At each entrance are
two turn-sties, through which visitors have
to pass and by so doing register them on n
dial. The number Of visitors is thus OBJ
tanned with perfect accuracy at the end of
the day. The results for last week showed
that 26,ll4 persons visited the Palace, of
whom 9,606 were admitted on season tick
cts. The receipts for the six days were
$S,147. It is probable that this average
will rather increase than diminish, when our
citizens begin to return from the country
and the intelligence that the Exhibition il
complete attracts visitors from The cities K.
the vicinity. The dog-days are not fayora.
bic for travelling, and those that can are
postponing their trips until Sirius shall no
longer be in the ascendent Trim mustach-
los and the unknown tongne that are every
where jabbered (excuse that vulgar but ex-
pressiye word) show that a fair proportion
Il not the majority of those that now patron
ire the Exhibition are foreigners. Yester-
Say the cash receipts at the doors were
Sfso7.75, 1850 persons being admitted on
singie tickets, and 1850 on season tickets.
Marochetti's magnificent statue of Wash.
ington Is not the only tribute in the Palace
60 the Father OF our Country. Bes;daa nm.