New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-05
TIE COOPER INSTITC TIE.

Foremost in the rank Of our educational and beneyo-
lent institutions is that noble one which will its
existence to the far-seeing and practical benevoence
Of one Of our living of business Mr. Peter Cooper
Many years ago, Mr.. Cooper conceived the idea OF
establishing an institution in this city 10 be devoted TO
Science and Art, yet, though be had the plan fully
maured in his own mind, be KEEP. bis own counsel and
made no mention of the matter TO any Of his friends,
He had selected rs the site for th. institution, the IL
re guar shaped block bounded by the Third and Fourth
avenues ard Seventh and Eighth streets, only por-
ton Of v hicb however be then owned. BY degrees,
be purcha ed of The various Until at length he
gained possession of the entire block. This accom-
plishcd, he made the acquaintance of a well-known
architect in this city and day after day visited his
rooms seemingly as matter of pleasure and to pas.
away an hour OF 80. After time he proposed TO the
architect that he should draw hn plan for insti-
futon TO be devoted to Science aud Art" aud that
he (Mr. c. would get two otdcr architects also
to draw plrns and when they were completed he would
nfke selection The architect for reasons Of hs own,
declined TO participate in such an Arrangement and
ftally Mr. Cooper asked him if he would do il alone,
to which he replied in the affirmative. Mr. desired
linn To proceed to the work mme distey, but the archl
tcct would not until certain articles of agreement were
drawn AMI entered into To this Mr. G. at length as
stitcd ard asked when he could see the plane " Well
YOU nav see something in about ten days, the archl-
ttct replied IL about six days thereafter Mr.. Cooper
visited the o,e but what was his surprise at finding
that OF line had been drawn. He remarked that ne
thought the plan would be half done at least as more
than half of the time had elapsed The second day at
fer th. witt the architect shut himself alone in his
room, ami there produced the plan of the noble build
ING that low occupies the block Of ground bounded by
Gotra IA and EiOhth
streets.
At the expiration % the given time, Mr. Cooper en-
tered the architects Office when he was shown the
Plan For the full space Of an hour he silently gazed
On the drawing ard his first remark to the architect
Wa, "Who cove yCu this idea" Tne architect re-
pied that he he'd Lyersed with no one on the subject
Mr.. c. expressed great establishment, and remarked
tint The idea was the very same that he had long
lad IN his mind, and he was confident that he had
not mentioned it to any person. Thus originated the
tlsp d; this noble institution dedicated to Science and
Ant" The structure faces the Bible House, and is
within stone. throw of the Astor Library the Mer-
Camille Library, and the Of various literary aud
rcicutfc societies
THE + TERROR.
Difficulties are preseLtel BY the unusually Irregular
share If the lot upon which the building stands-whcn
although occupie. the entire block measures 200 feet
on the Third avenue, 100 feet on the Fourth avenue
40 feet on Eighth stree and only SO feet on Seventh
ttrcct and contains bat right angle The idea OF
NJ. Peter Cooper OF producing from the building
revenue to meet the yearly expenses OF the Institution
and thereby render se-sustanlng has been carried
out by Mr. FREDERICK A. PETEasEs, the Architect.
The MON is based remuneretye suostructure,
calculated to bring in large amount OF revenue-iOr
this purpose the basement and first and second stores
are intended The third story commences " The
UIion.'
The structure is of brown stone. On the Eighth
s,rt ct side portlco the hight Of the building, ormed
Of arches and Cornihian pillars In the freze OF the
,itsLla,u,e appears tie inscription;
To Science and Art"
1Ls porco Is soventy-fve feet long aud over titeen
f, wide with granite starways at each end Leading
m the cord story. Beneath the stairway are three
cutrsrces 10 the basement. On the Souta or Seventh
stree ride il another portco two stores high with
three aIcl.ed dooIways.
THE INTERIOR.
In the blseu ent is large hal intended tr puoho
lectures OF meeti g. one hundred and Twenty-Five feet
long and eight tive feet wide and twenty-One feet
hb containing an area of ten thousand two hundred
ami v superf, isl feet or than city lots II
i accessible b, fOu. lights Of stone steps leaing from
tne various streets direct This hall remaik aole
f,r two purposes. First: Although below the entire
t,lcrc of its whole snrface not more than nineteen
euale :eet are taken up by as many Corinthlsn iron
ccuo which cir, um.snce gives 10 the same degree
ofbehLs, aud spaeiousness scarcely ever ~
,1> ruLhcpom Second Its ceiling, formed by tiles
Which rect perpendc .larly upon iron beams, eaate no
raiural pr, sure ~ atever obvia.s the Necessity Of
lirig. latLus or scatch-> atus-Atfofd ample loom
f., heating and vtntsirg pipes, a0d at the same time
juin the floor for the stores above. Ias IS az Ar
rsreenel; entirely botl aud worth the particular at
teLiion Of architects and buIldef'
90 the eastern tide Of this hal i very ex'en-iT'
ntm, ath lece-.afy kitchen, stole room, &. n.