Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-06-03
From he T,4h Legioa (Bool,,ocll Rly o.
Splendid Houses,

The mania for building splendid dwelling houses
which was prevalent short time aga has sen4i-
bly, abated, and this Spring but little building
OF this character Is going on. There IL PROM
Use, however of a partial revival next Autumn.
when gentlemen have returned from their travels.
to which time several very heavy contracts are
postponed. As affording some idea of the extent
to which the "merchant princes" of New York
have invested in private ansions Ia description
OF property not celebrated for its dividend paying
qunlities,) it may be stated that there are at
least dozen houses in the city which cost from
100000 to $3.50. 000-rvalling in magnifcence
almost any of the royal palaces of Europe, and
inferior only in point of magnitude. Nearly all
OF these have been recently erected. 1t is OBJ
served that the custom of European travelling,
so prevalent of late among Americans, is hay.
ing its effect III irpartng new impetus to ar-
chitecture, rs applied to house building Not
only is the expenditure more lavish. in the at
tempt to vie with foreign establishments, but a
wider range is given to architectural skill. Not
| satisfied with mere imitation, Young America"
| must have that which is original, whatever the
| cost; and many splendid designs of houses, furni-
| ture, and decorations have come into existence
till the dwellings of individuals might be mista-
| ken for ducol palaces, and private parors bewil-
der with their magni6oence.
One of the most elegant houses is that of Charles
| A Heckscher, just completed, on the corner of
| Fifth avenue and thirteenth street. aud which is
said 10 have cost in the neighborhood of $3.50, 000
| although tha building is of moderate dimensions
compared with some others-being 30 by GO feet
besides an extension of IS by 2tfeet which forms
! the library and dining room; and viewed extern
ally Its appearance is not remarkably ostentatious
| The interior finishing and decorations, no Oover,
| are very superb. In the main enterance there is
a vestabule fitted for the reception of ordinary
VISITORS and close by, the staircase ascends
through an elliptical opening towards stained
glass dome. Immediately beneath tho latter, on
massive base,is Kiss celebrated bronze figure
of the Shepherd attacked by Panther, and
among other bronze decorations are duplicates of
mantel ornaments possessed dy Louis Napole-
on. The mirrors are very massive, in curiously
wrought frames the ceilings are arched,in strong
relief, with ground work of water colors and
the prominent points tipped with gold. The walls
are to be laid over with satin.in heavy folds. The
furniture is in a corresponding style of elegance,
and consists principally of deliberately carved oak
A number of articles are veneered with oaken
crotchets, in the most exquisite manner, so as to
closely resemble choice varieties of marble. The
librarykcase is almost wholly of oak, and has an
arched ceiling. ventilated, from the top aud sur
rounded with casts of Tasso, Schiller, Goethe and
other celebrated personages. Other apartments
arc provided for various amusements. and all are
| hited up with view to secure the greatest pos
| sible amount of bodily comfort. Every convent
ence is provided, on the most liberal scale. One
OF the principal apartments is stl unfinished, in
consequence OF the loss of goods in the Pacific
| Alexander Saetzer was the architect and DESIGN
| er for building and furniture.
! Probably the most elegant dwelling in the citv
is that Of NJ, o. Roberts, reputed to have cost in
| the neighborhood ofS225, 900.
| The residence of Moses Taylor is dwelling
| fitted up in the most gorgeous style. not less
than $4,000 being expended in four five Of
the apartments. One of these fitted up at
cost of from $25. 900 to $4,000. Other dwell
lngs might be mentioned. scarcely inferior N
| Y Jour. Com.