Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-01
A Ducal Palace in New York.

The magnificent structure now approaching
completion, on the corner of Thirty-fourth
street and Fifth avenue, for DR.. s. Townsend,
of sarsaparilla memory excites almost as much
of wonderment and curiosity as did ever its
more pretending contemporary, the Crystal
Palace. Though having a very imposing ex-
terror of handsomely wrought brown stone, an
observer would scarcely suspect it Of surpass-
ing In costly elegance any private mansion in
the New World, and vieing with the most re-
nowned mansions and halls of the Old. A
brief description will convey some idea of this
new claimant to the attention of wonder seek
ers and letter writers.
The building is ninety by ifty-six feet, and
occupies five lots of ground, in an elevated
position, which cost $4,000. Its general ap-
pearance is of the rich, massive character,
common to many frst-class houses, though in
ternally the arrangements have the claim OF
originality. 1t has been remarked, however,
by those who have visited the European cont.
nent, that the house has some resemblance to
the residence ofthe late Duke of Parma. Up
on entering, the visiter finds himself at the
threshold Of grand hall, Hanked on either
side by tiers Of galleries and columns, which
extend upward to the roof, where they termi-
nate under gorgeous dome. The galleries,
walls, and columns are all decorated in the
richest manner, with sco-painting, gliding,
and elaborate mouldings. The prevailing color
employed in decorating the ceilings being blue,
relieved with gold, these are presented most
prominently to the eye, but the effect of the
whole, when FIRST beheld, is 10 bewider with a
sense Of magnifcence. The columns support.
ing the galleries through the several stories,
are sixty in number of the Corinthian style,
which are sustained at the base, on the first
story by pilasters of scagliola. Passing to the
rear in one cornerofthe edifce, is grand spiral
staircase, having diameter Of 20 feet, and ter
minating in the highest story, beneath a rich
DOME inches at the sides are TO be filed with ap-
propriate pieces of statnary and decorations in
plaster.
Fresco, gold and carved wood are introduced
at the discretion Of the artist. The cost of this
stairway viii not be far from three thousand
dollars. The chambers and other apartments
above are all finished in the same superb style.
The fresco-paintings upon the walls generally
represent scenes in Italy, though there are
many figures, scrolls, &c., purely fanciful; other
portions, such as are designed for the picture
gallery and library, are classic; the bathing.
rooms are furnished with nymphs and juvenile
angels, &c. One ofthe "curiosities'' il a chanel
for religious worship, which occupies a portion
Of the third and 4th stories. The apartment
is thirtythree by sixteen and half feet, fin
ished in the Gothic style, and is to be provided
with superb alter-piece TO represent the bap-
tism Of the Redemer. The requisite amount
Of "dim, religious light" properly colored, en-.
tiers through single circular window Of stained
glass. There is also gymnasium, with suit
able apparatus for physical exercise, and a
bowling saloon. The upper floors being too
lofty to receive water from the public works, a
tank is provided, into which water for the
baths, &c, viii be forced by pump. The
picturegallery is twenty-eight by twenty-four
feet and it is said that twenty pictures for It
are in course of preparation in Italy, by the
best living masters, at an average cost Of one
| thousand dollars each. Some Of the apart
ments are provided with very costly ire.places.
We noticed one Of beautiful Italian marble,
which cost four hundred dollars. The entire
cost Of the building and ground is estimated
at two hundred thousand dollars; the contract
for stone is about thirty thousand dollars;
fresco-painting, six thousand dollars; plaster.
ing, from eight 10 ten thousand dollars. and
the carpenters' contract is about thirty thou.
sand dollars. Such, in brief is the last and
greatest Of the great "uptown" houses. The
plasterer is Dennis Garvey, who has already
gained wide reputation, and the architect Is
John Saxton-Journol of Commerce.