Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-06-09
REcossraucrlos OF METROPOLITAN

JtEcoSsrRUCTloH OF METROPOLITAN
hAu'-For several weeks 1t hss been know,
70 most Of our citizens that Mr. Hill. the pro
pristor OF Metropolitan Hall. vas making q
'sns'vs alterations 10 that ipstitutiop, but .
the doors we're kept closed, the exact natur
Of the Improvement was . mystery. Know
ing thst Ar. Hill wiehsd to keep his businse
to himsslf until ths work should be nearly
completed, We have rsfrained from mention
Ing the matter. Saturday afternoon. how
ever. Ar. Hill kindly invited several gentle
men to visit the Hall and gave them perfect
liberty to take items.
No change 10 noticed. except new coat o.
light and brown paint at the head Of th.
landing. until the Hall doors are thrown
open. On entering. the observer fails to no.
ice anything that would lead him 10 believe
that the old Hall WAS 10 existence, but every
turn Of the eye IL met With novelties In con.
struction; tinted eeiliogs. mouldiogs and
walls; the glare and CLINT Of red. white. blue
and gold 6nishings. Every thing 10 new,
tasteful and elegant.
The principal changes are these A balcony
now extends along both sides OF the Hall.
being connected with the old balcony At the
rear end. These balconies, with the old one,
will accommodate about two hundred and
fifty or three hundred people. we'll seated in
three rows Of dark and gilt chairs.
The stage has been raised to twice its origi.
nal height. and brought forward in the same
proportion. On either side Of it are two
commodious proscspjum boxes. between tive
Corinthian pillars which support tastetully
smbellished arch. On either side Of the arch
will Be represented the figures Of Art and
Poetry. The arch 10 being decorated BY .
talented scenic artist.
On the right of the stage and in 40 adjoin.
iog building. is . dressing room. for the
accommodation Of troupes having need Of
such accommodations.
The balconies are built on the truss plan,
and will eustain four times the weight that
will be placed upon them even when denssly
crowded. The means Of egress have been
greatly amplified. In addition to the main
entrance which will still be used as an exit for
occupants Of the body Of the Hall, there is an
exit from the north end of each gallery down
into Commercial Block, coming upon the street
at the first stairs on Brady street below
Second. This will be found to be . great
improvement on the old method Of crowdiDg
out en- n,asse The balconies are also nnected
with . ladies dressing room on the second
floor Of the block, which will be. found con-
vsnient on many occasions.
No particular change has been made In light
ing. except that the side brackets have been
moved above the balconies. The effect Of the
fresh coloring Of the walls and ceiling is very
pleasing to the eye. The ceiling has . deli>
cate azure tint. the cornice q soft pink cast,
and the walls rich buff. The faeings Of the
balconies, 40 before stated. are in positive
red. white and blue. with gilt finishing On
the main floor, nearly the came space and the
same seats will be used. The balconies are 90
arranged - not to cut off the view from any
point of observation.
We need not give any further description at
this time. The Hall will be opened for Mr..
Strasser's Grand Concert, on behalf Of the
Ladies' Aid Society, on Wednesday next. when |
al can have an opportunity Of seeing for
themselves. We should say here, that the
balcony seats are reserved. Those who have |
not tickets for reserved seats will occupy the |
body seats. which are just as good as ever.
In arranging and planning this matter Mr..
Hill has displayed his usual supsrb taste, and
h,s we'll established reputation Of |
being the best architectural designer in the
By these alterations he has made
most delightful Hall. and has 90 shaped mat.
tsrs that il will now accommodate . thousand |
persons. where before about seven hundred |
was the ultra limit. 1t il rare :reat to visit |
it, and We hope 10 zee its full capacity tested |
on Wednesday night.
PARsoN BRowNLow's Book.-From
the publishers. Messrs. Applegate 4 Co., Of
We have received an advance copy
of this much looked for work. We have net, |
II course. had time to peruss its pages. and |
will only say that it il very handsome vol. |
ame Of over $50 pages, and NO doubt IL TEEN. |
ng With good thinge. Mr.. Geo. W. Thomp
ION will to-day and tomorrow serve his sub.
scribers with their copies Of the work, and st
Lhe same time offer an opportunity to others
10 purchase. The work :can also be had at
Charles Plummers, Iowa Book Rooms.
Fine PERFUNERY.-Mr. l.. Grabbe
under the LsClairs House. has just received !
splendid lot Of petfumery and toilet articles
from the most celebrated manufactures in the
country. Psreons desiring anything in his