Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-08


A DucM PALACE IN New YoRK.-The magnificent
structure approaching cOmpIehon o. the corner
of 34th street and Fifth avenue for Dr. S. Townsend
Of sarsaparilla memory, excites almost as much Of
wonderment and curiosity did ever its preten-
ding contemporary the Crystal Palace. Though hav
ing very imposing exterior of handsomely wrought
brown stone an observer would scarcely suspect it
of surprising in costly elegance any private mansion
in the New World, and vieng with the most renown-
ed mansions and halls of the Old A brief description
will convey idea of this claimant to tie at
tenton of wonder seekers and letter writer's.
The building is 90 by Sc feet, and occupies five lots
OF ground, in an elevated POSITION which cost $40, 900
Its general appearance is of the rich charac
ter common frsc lass houses, though internally the
arrangements have the claim OF originality, 1t has
been remarked. however, by those who have visited
the European continent, that the house has
sembance to the resident of the late Duke OF Parma
Upon entering the visitor finds himself at the thresh
hold of grand ball fanked on either side by by
tiers Of galleries and columns, which extend upward
IN the roof, where they terminate under gorgeous
dome. The galleries. walls and columns are all de-
corated in the richest manner, with fFesco painting,
gliding and elaborate mOuldings. The prevailing
color employed in decorating the ceilings being blue,
relieved with gold, these presented most proml-
nenty 10 the eve but the effect of the whole, when
first beheld is TO bewilder with n sense of magnh-
Cense.
The columns supporting the galleries through the
several stories sixty in number, OF the Cornthian
stvlp, which are sustained at the base, the first
story by pilasters Of scagoIa. Passing to the rear
in corner Of the edfce is grand spiral stair.
case having diameter of about twenty feet and
terminating in the highest story beneath rich dome
inches at the sides are to be filled with appropriate
pieces of satuary and decorations in plaster Fresco
gold and carved wood are introduced at the discretion
of the artist The cost of this stairway will not be
far from So, 900
The chambers and other apartments above are all
finished in the same superb style The fresco-paint
ngs upon the walls generally represent SCENES in Ia
~, though there are many figures, scrolls, &c, pure
" fancfu other portions, such as are designed toI
the picture gallery and library, classic the bath
ing rooms are furnished with nymphs and Juvenile
angels SC One of the curiosities' is a chapel for
religious worship, which occupies portion of the
Sd and 4th stories The apartment is 80 by 163 feet
finished in the Gothic STYLE and is TO be provided
with superb alerpIece 10 represent the baptism Oh
the redeemer. The requisite amount of 8 aim, reh
gous light properly colored enters through sin
gle circular window of stained glass. There is also
n gymnasium, with suitable apparatus for physca
exercise, and bowling saloon The upper floors
being TOO lofty to receive wafer from the public works
a tank is provided. into which water for the baths
&C. will be forced by pump. The picture gallery
is % by "a feet and it is said that twenty plcturt
for it in of preparation in Italy, by the
best living masters, al an average cost OF 81 UOO eacn
Some of the apartments are provided with very cost
Iy fire places We noticed one of beautiful Italian
marble which cost $500 The entire cost OF III
building and ground is estimated at 100000; tn
CONTRACT for stone is about $4,000; fresco pantln
$4,000 plaserng, from $4,000 to $4,000, and In
carpenters contract is about $4,000 Such in brief
is the last and greatest of the great uptown" houses
N Y Jnur Conn.,