Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-01-18
THE NEW HAIL OF THE WILMINGTON
INSTITUTE.

ment in the JOURNAL. d
We spent few moments in this large and b
noble structure day or two ago, and were !
somewhat surprised at the gigantic proportions y
of the building, notwithstanding we were pre- 0
yiously not altogether unaware of it's massive y
ness and sOlidity. The building is SIT feet i
front on Market street. and runs III feet on i
Eighth street to Shipley, on which it also has
what is termed "bnck 'front.' Of the same width
as Market street The main entrance is through
3 spacious hall on Market street, on either side
of which are two large, light and airy stores,
some of which nre already rented for business
occupations. In the rear of the stores, OH the
left is the Library room, SO by so feet; adjoin-
ing this on the right, is the Scientific Lecture
ROOM Of the same dimensions. These rooms are
light, convenient well ventilated, and easy of
access. Below these are four basement rooms,
which are also designed to be rented for
proper business purposes. In the rear of these
is somewhat subterraneous iiro-proof arch |
way, in which are located two large heaters in
tended to warm the public portions Of the hall.
A In looking Mt this part of the building We were
o struck with the great degree of caution that has
Il been exercised by the building committee in
. guarding against the possibility Of conaagratiOn
n from the heating apparatus. There can be no
IN such thing as fire communicating to any adjon-
ing part Of the house, even if gross carelossness
u were INDUCED by the attendant fireman. Ad-
ct joining these solid arches Of masonry arc cellars
= for the several stores and offices connected with
Of the building; and also water cosets-for both
he sexes-rcndered inodorous by means OF air tubes
ms aud pipes through the walls. This is decided
an improvement on public halls in this State, and
at the committee deserve credit for its introduction
nd here.
nd Ascending broad and spacious flight of steps
n from Market street, we reach the main audience
"a room or saloon which at ouce strikes the visitor
III. favorably by reason of its simplicity and
in exceeding spacousness. This saloon is 70 by
nee rs feet, without post, pillar or column to mar
%, its beauty obsruct the view TO any portion OF
ITO the room. 1t has a ceiling 81 feet high in
Sire which are two yentilators, and from which to
4nt be suspended two massive chandeliers, each with
o twenty jets OF burners. In addition to these
hi, there are side brackets making in all eighty gal
lrs lights in the saloon. On the north side Of this
Of room is a gallery, 8 feet wide, which will sea-
are comfortably about 1850 persons. Including tbi,
anu gallery, the raoon is capable of seating 120(
n, people. There are also, on the Shipley stree
ing front, two retiring dressing for the us
to OF performers and artists. These rooms ar,
az each 10 by 10 feet and entirely private. Be-
tween them is the stage 81 feet high, SO fee
,s long and 10 feet wide this, it should be- il il
lion full view orevery part of tue room The ngres
dis to the sloon is by two large doors or psssaC
ways; but in case of alarm or danger from an,
L.. cause, the audience can be rapidly and ssfe
a discharged by fire doors of egress. This is
" capital arrangement, and again shows the studie
care Of the committee in providing for the saiet
of the people who may be in the Hall, under au
i,7's and all circumstances. On the second floor AZ
''''o four desirable rooms which We understand nj
oeo to be rented rs ofdces so, also, on the thir
been foOr will the rooms be disposed of. The tiooi
than throughout the house have all been deadenel /
s' In that no hollow noise can be impaired from OF
story to another by walking over them.
n.n The Building Committee essrs. Willie
,saut. Tatnall, Williams Hilles, Charles W. Howlan
only George W. Bush, William Candy, and Jam
dreis Bradford deserve the thanks of the company al
ne the public for the perseverng energy with whit
as S. they applied themselves to the difficult task
Gen, experimenting the erection of this immen.
tober structure, aud watching so assduousy the pr
90 oil gress Of the work. in all ts mechanical stage
o ,,s Theirs was no unimportant or trihing labor.
concOct suggest, modify and approve such Pla
Al, on as would combine safety, comfort, heaut
The strength, taste, spaciousness and economy; al
Fiall at the same time hsrmonze the views of 1
,.,t, Company with the tastes Of the public and /
o pro. pecuniary means at their command requir
q pre- much thought and deliberate judgment D.
result, however, has proven that petplexing
lon Of their labOrs they have been attended wi
WIZ degree of success which could only be reach
st,nr. by wise precaution, and discreet use of /
-nitoa powers entrusted to the committee
umqr The entire cost of the building including pu
wen chase of lot, is about $4,000; of this sum S1i
600 has been collected by voluntary subscriptio
Mao. actually paid in; the remainder is secured
ttbis bond and mortgage on the property. The WI
flor MISGrOS INSTITUTE, we are told is worth abo
,vllle S2i.0O0 aud numbers at present 600 member
NH. thus making each certificate of membersh
Mimi. worth nomiually, the sum Of $40 The agen
,rr to BY which all this has been accomplished may
traced To the Young Mems Association for Muh
Is Mr. improvement" which was organized Septemb
l % %, lS55-a little over FIVE years ago. True ii
c,.n association may be said to have been the Q
spring Of others which preceded it, but the en-.
~, the impetus, the vitality of the undertake
'Nu'h certainly originated with the "Young Mer
s.isn Association" and to them belong tho credit
If the honor Of iraugurating in our city the prese
inion' hOurishing literary association which is now
np's'e permanent fixture and ornament Of Wilminatt
Although a number of prominent and iuAue
dss tia gentlemen were actively engaged in CONGO,
ose Of ing the financial arrangements by which the
u tie dertakng should be made successful, permane
Wy, and profitable TO the Institute, Messrs Josh
4. Head and William s Hilles may be cousi
push cred the moving actors in this particular part
ayne, the management Day niter day, and night AFT
i'end- night they met, deliberaled and planned uu
,ue' every possible view of the matter which pr
id at seuted itself III any way favorable, became g.
Mljor haustel aud absorbed in the financial scher
would winch was ultimately adopted and carried OF
." NO The wisdom of their counsel and judgment is Ct
oised By the already aseertained fact that, ns
. a. paying investment, the Hall will yield reven
net of exceeding the calculations OF the commilte
ct The aEd which, unless some un0ward accident slou
u soon occur, will place the Institute entirely out
debt in Il very few years Such is a sample
IN , "s the results which persistent energy and indou
q,.t tnble perseverance con uccOUplsb even with