Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-16
LOCAL AND A ITEMS.

$4,000
structure now in course of erection, designed m
as the workshops, foundry and engine houses n
for the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad Compa- el
n.y. 1t is one continuous building-some e
80 or 175 yards long, and about 100 feet
broad. When completed, according to the n
handsome design drawn by the Architect it q
will be one Of the largest and finest structures Il
of the kind in the Southern States. The il
walls are of very superior brick, the window 4
lintels of beautiful brown sandstone, taken a
from the quarry a few miles west of this city,,
and the door steps and lintels of huge, sub a
~stantial granite, so abundant in this vicinity. ]
Mr.. t. j. Holt is the Architect and Super ]
intendent Of the work, and it bears ample tes-
timony to his taste and skill, as well as faith
fulness in its execution. E. Smith & Co. are
the contractors for the brick work, and Thos-
Grier & Co. for the stone portion Of the build
ing-the execution of each department re-
fleets credit upon the respective contractors.
We have here another evidence of the pros
perity Of the old Raleigh and CASTOR Rail-
road-once the by-word and reproach Of the
State, but now, one of the best Roads in the
world, and Differed by a body of men whose
praises are upon the tongues of all h tray-
ell upon it.
Pursuing our walk a little farther north,
we found an entire native brown stone build
ing in course of erection. The walls are what
is called, we believe, ''rubble work"-that is,
hammered so as to leave a rough surface up
on the face of the stone, which presents q
very handsome appearance; though we could
but regret that a stone SO beautiful, and sus-
ceptible of SO finea polish, had not been CIV
en- the finishing touch of the chisel. 1t is a
mere matter 81 taste, however, and we under
stand the proprietor esteems the irregular
surface handsomer than the smooth. 1t will
certainly be a beautiful building, and we hope
the example set by Major Vass, the proprie.
!, tor, will be followed by others, in the use o.
this beautiful and durable stone in the cree
:. ton of buildings. We understand the Con
tractors Messrs. Grier & Coz put up this
J b~uilding-and will erect any others-at &'
same price a brick building will cost "
hope to see brown-stone fronts, and brown
stone buildings, in abundance in Raleigh, es
:, pecially when it can be procured from on
). natice quarries- Such a quarry in the MORT
would be more valuable than a California gol
mine. ..
Strolling on a few hundred yards farther
we came across another fine residence goin
up-the property of Carter B. Harrison, ESQ
IL ILL., - loIlo-- 49, = +Iouo =. o,.o
between the two courses of brick it has brow
stone ~lintels, cornishes, and other ornament
and its form, &C., is rather unique, at least
these parts. When finished, it will douh
- less present an imposing appearance. [Asr
:. Major Vass is a widower, and Mr.. HaEi
. son a bachelor-neither of them old, hoWs
er, we would advertise the ladies. Wond
if some pretty divinity is not destined to pl
side over affairs in these beautiful mansions
Just across the street from Mr.. Harrison
- building, the "PEAcE INSTITUTE of the Pr,
byterian Church is to be located; and so
the massive walls and towering DOM of
magnificent structure devoted to educati
- and piety, will greet US, and hundreds of I
PMS AONN III ~ kANRoAO AA NHo ooN
and responsible duties of life. We do he
~ the brown stone viii be called into requ5
ton here, especially if that material can
employed as cheaply as brick.
Retracing our steps homeward, we disc
cred almost hundreds of buildings, erected
ho the last year or so, near the Raleigh
~, Castor Depot; and the increased number
~ operatives that will be required in the 1
ho workshops, when completed, will caus
demand for many additional buildings; SO t
in the course of a year or two, that will
- come one of the most populous portion
the city, as well as contain some of its il
tasty and costly buildings.
While upon the subjccto of " Improvement
we may remark, that we understand the
leigh and Castor Railroad Company in
erecting a large new Warehouse at the
minus OF the Road, in the western par
.na the City and, in conjunction with the n
-on, Carolina Railroad Company, will soon pu
a spacious, well-arranged Shed, for the
ross lection and comfort of passengers in get
all on and off the respective trains-a work
lead necessity LOT WHICH mas long oeen lelt ii
for We think We have made out a pretty
chapter of improvements" in our Ci
Oaks, and which go to prove that ours i
,aaa a finished town yet, by any means.
-atcd
LECTUREs.-We learn that the Young I
such Christian Association Of Raleigh, has t
1t the preliminary steps to secure the ser
u OF several distinguished gentlemen, who
cable deliver lectures to the public, occasion
that during the coming winter. DR.. Deems,
cula John E. Edwards, Judge Shepherd,
McRae, Esq, DR.. Hawks, natives of ]
Carolina, and other eminent Southern
VINO ktlemen have been applied to, and some
promised to deliver Lectures, at the C
the Association; and we bespeak for
large audiences, and a generous apprec
p by the citizens Of the Capital Of the Sta
month
tried. ECCLESIASTICAL CoNvRNTIoNs.-The
thor byterian Synod of North Carolina was
infia- in Wilmington, commencing on the I'd
rkable and adjourned on the 9TH. 1t was an
afae- teraStinc and pro6tahla session to lie r.