The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-08-20

all pieces together by bolts. The number of
lower floor girdcrs is 252, besides IL wrought
iron giriers of the same height, and Al feet
span over part Of the nave The second
story constants 14S columns, Of the same
shape AZ those below, and II feet z inches
high. These receive another tier Of girders,
numbering 189, for the support of the roof Of
the aisles, each nave being covered by 10 cast
iron semi-circular arches, each composed Of
four pieces.
The dome will strike every one as the grand
architectural feature Of the building. In tho
first number Of Putnams admirable Illustra-
ted Record, which was issued on the 14th,
we find full description of this splendid por-
ton Of the structure, from which VIC copy
some interesting statements. Its diameter Is
100 feet and its height to the springing line
Is nearly 70 feet, and to the crown of the arch,
l28 feet 1t ia said to be the largest, as well
as almost the only dome hitherto erected in The
United States. II IL supported by "a columns,
which rise beyond the second story, and to
height Of 90 feet above the principal floor
The system Of wrought.iron trusses which
connect them together at the top, and is sup.
ported by them, forms two conccntric poly.
glons, each Of 10 sides. They receive cast
iron bed.plate to which the castiron shoes for
tho ribs Of the dome arc bolted. The latter
arc 32 in number. They arc constructed Of
two curves Of doubc.anglc iron, securely con.
nectcd together by trellis-work. The rcqui-
site stcadincs is secured by ticrods, which
brace them both vertically and horizontally.
AT the top, the ribs arc bolted to horizontal
ring Of wrought and cast-ron, which has di-
amctcr Of 20 feet in the clear, and Is surmount-
cd by the lantern. As in tho other roofs of
tho building, the dome is cased with matched
deal and tin-sheathing Light Is communica.
tod to the interior through the lantern, and
also In part from the sides, which arc pierced
for 80 ornamental windows. These are glazed
with stained glass, representing the arms of
tho Union and Of its several States. and form
no uncomfortable part of the interior decora-
| ton.
The external walls Of the building are con-
structed Of cast-Lon, framing and pancl-work,
into which arc inserted tho sashes of tho win
dows and the louvres for ventilation The
glass Ia one-oighth Of an inch thick, and was
| manufactured at the jackson Glass Works,
New York, and afterwards cnameled by Coop
or d Belcher, Of Camptown, NJ. The GU
amel, with which tho whole of it is covered,
Is laid upon with brush, and, after dry
ing, Is subject to tho intense heat Of kiln, by
which the coating is virtrifed, and rendered as
durable as the glass ITSELF II produces an CT
feet similar to that Of ground glass, being
translucent, but not transparent. Tho suns
rays, diffused by passing through it, yiold an
agreeable light, and are deprived Of that in
tensity Of heat and glare which belongs to
them in this climate. In tho absence of a
similar prccaution in the Crystal Palace OF
Hyde Park, whose roofs as well as walls were
! inclosed with transparent glass, il was found
! necessary to cover the interior Of the building
with canvas, to produce the required shade.
AT each angle Of tho building there Is an
octagonal tower, 8 feet in diameter and 10
feet in height. Those contain winding stair
ways which lead TO tho galleries and roofs
and arc intended for tho officers and en-
ployccs Of the association. Twelve broad
stair cases, one on either side of each On.
trance, and four beneath the dome, connect
the principal floor with the gallery. The lat.
tor arc circular in part and consist of two
flights Of steps with two landing places Tho
flooring Of tho galleries is made of closely
matched planks, while those forming tho floor
OF tho first story arc separated by narrow in.
tcrvals, in the same manner and for the saine
purpose as in the London building Over
each Of the principal entrance halls the gNllc-
rcs open upon balconies, which afford ample
space for placing flowers, vases and statues
for decoration. Above the balconies, the ends
Of tho naves arc adorned with lsrgr iau-lights,
within On each sidc Of the entrances theru
are ticket offices, and adjacent TO them rooms
are provided for the oiiicers Of the association,
telegraph, &c.
The rapid AMI unexpected increase Of tic
applications Of exhibitors induced the associas
ton 10 erect large addition to the building
already described. IL consists NJ two parts,
VI ono and tao stories respectively, and oc.
eupies the entire apacc between the main
!, building and the reservoir. Its tcngth 10 S5l
feet and inches, aud its extreme width ID "a
tevt> |, Is dcsisaed Cor tho rveep,ios Of ma.
ehiaery In ise,Ien, the cabinets u mlsiag aud
usiassAlexy. and the rsisesmaoat MAINS. With
their nssessAsy utiiees The seeard story.
which Is nearly &so t<et loaz. 81 se<s wide,
asd extends the whole length, is entirely de.
voted to the sshibi,sen II p,s,ares AMI sss,as.
~. u is lighted fscm skylsght sip tcss seag
and = feet q isches wsslr
The ss~arsshsss of tbs building have been
entrusted to Henry GsvsnoaSh, E~a. al Cam.
bridge, bfesher "a The tsaxnssSl scs.spsas ~
the sase nams. Ne Usssaaash has made
sst his ststs. ssi 10 sts pusxusi he has tsar 10.
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