Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-06-10
Correspondence of the Trib. & Tel.
Philadelphia Nav 9th. 1868.


my promise of last week, viii contin-
ne my description of the principal pub
lie buildings dc. in the Quaker City.
The Academy of Music is animmense
structure, standing at the southwest
corner of Broad & Locust SITS. with a
front of 40 #. on Broad st. and depth
ofzS8 #. on Locust st. and is designed
for operate and dramatic performances.
and is the most perfect, perhaps, in all
It's various departments, of any other in
the United States or Europe. In this
splendid building there are accommo-
dations for 5000 persons, all of whom
can be comfortably seated.
1t was formally opened on the even
ing of January 9th 1857; on which oc-
casion the grand ballroom was formed
by flooring over the parquette aud stage.
The boxes were filled, throughout the
evening, with ladies; and the scene
when the fete was at it's height, " as the
most splendid of the kind ever witnessed
in Philadelphia
The Girard College, is, as every one
knows, magnificent building; it is sit
uated on Ridge Avenue, about two miles
from Market Street. 1t was founded
by Stephen Girard, for the gratuitous
instruction and support of destitute or
phans. Mr. Girard was native of
France, having emigrated to this coun-
try at an early age, and settled in Phil
adelphia, where, by unwearied industry
and Judiclous management, he accumu-
lated noble fortune, the larger portion
OF which he bequeathed to this city, for
the erection and support Of this institu
ton, and improving the city.
The College is one of the most beau-
tlful structures of modern times, as a
work of art alone, and a monument of
private munificence to the cause Of edu-
cation such as few countries i'll the
world possess. The cornerstone was
laid on the 4th Of July 1888, the build
ings were completed in lS47, and the
institution went into operation January
lst lS4s.
The general design, of the main build
ing is that of a Greek temple; having
eight columns on each end, and eleven
on each side. The superstructure rests
upon basement, consisting of ele,en
steps, which extend around the entire
sdifice, thus imoarting pyramidal APP
pearance to it, which conveys an idea of
great solidity, and at the same time at
fords an approach to the peristyle from
sides.
The building is stories high, the
first and second being 25 #. from floor
to floor, and the Sd story 80 #. in the
clear to the eye of the dome; each story
is subdivided into rooms, each so #.
square, and vestibules.
The whole establishment is surroun-
dec. by a wall ten fit. high, according to
EtheAproyisions of Mr. Girard's will. 1t
has been, very properly think, named
sthe ugly WALL"
J The number of orphans at present IL
the College is $40, whe, according to
the directions Of the will, are admitted
between the age of and 10 years, and
they who merit it remain in the college
until betweenthe age of IA and Is years
when they are to be bound out to some
useful occupation, such as agriculture
mechanical trades, arts &c. Clergymer
under no circumstances according to the
will of Mr.. Girard, can be admitted
within the precincts of the College, but
a person applying for admission is new
OF asked his occupation, and clergymer
as well as OTHERS, if they say nothing
about it, have no difficulty in gaining
admission.
have not time or space to describe
any more of the great number of beau
tiful buildings in the city, dedicated tc
the cause of education, and will only say
in relation to them that there are in thu
city, 304 schools, $50 teachers, and So,
000 scholars.
There is also Normal school for the
instruction of female teachers. There
is also great number of charitable ed
vocational institutions, under the contro
of and attached to the different religion,
denominations and churches in the city
There are over 185 churches in tn,
city, belonging to the different demon
nations, many of them occupying mag
nificent structures, some of which, were
it not that | fear | am already occupy
ing too much of your space, should b.
glad to describe to you.
Among the most interesting of thu
many relics of the past still preserved
in Philadelphia, is Penn Cottage, situa
ted in Laetitia ST., Market st. between
! Front and Second streets. 1t is mem
orable as being one of the first, if no
4 the first brick building erected in Phil
adelphia, and also as being the residenc,
of William Penn during his first visit t
to this country in l682-ss. The build
ing is at present very much dilapidated
and falling rapidly into ruins.
The State Roof House, another int r
esting relic, derives its name from the
fact that for several years after its ereo
ton it was the only building covered
with that material, in the city. TIL,
year of it's erection is uncertain; it wa
however prior to i 200, for we find VIM
j Penn and his family occupying it, during
his second visit, in that year. In it JOIN
Penn ''the American" was born. TIL,
| State-Roof subsequently became noteC
boarding house. Within its walls
i General Forbes second in command an(
Eventually successor to the unfortunat,
\ General Braddoek, breathed his, last
and from it he was borne to his Ions
home, with imposing military honors
At later period it was the Temporary
abode of John Adams, John Hancock
and many other distinguished member
af the first Congress. and also of Barol
DeKalb, who fell in the cause of Amer
lean Independence, at the battle 0
Camden. In it, too the brave but &c
centric General Lee died. From its 10
cation, unless preserved by some public
spirited individuals, this old meInoria