The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-05

me Destruction Of an Ancient Landmark
"A Description Of It's Successor,
and q Sketch OF the Com
mercial Exchange
Association.

N
1Or,c events, seem to have common destiny
with humanity, and eYeatusiiy pSy the inevI'
Aable debt to nature or sucCumb to the march
Of improvement
Rpt few architectural relics of the days of
H,7e and the times of William Penn, re-
main. and their number and Importance are
Greatly lessened by the complete demolition of
the Penn mansion, more familiarity known as
tbe ',old Slate-roof House, to make room for
an imposing successor, the new chamber of
Commerce Building"
T. opr issue OF tne oath Of November, 1866,
- elaborate article was furnished our readers,
,mbodying all the details of interest connected
with this time-honored structure, with all the
traditions of years lowering about 1.-THE
manners and customs observed around its
ancient precincts, the people who dwelt within
It. and Of the Revolutionary patriots who con-
yened beneath its hospitable roof. With these
memories olinging about the old mansion, to
disturb its repose on busy Second street was
by some considered almost an act OF
sacrilege, and appeals were made that 1T
should be left to crumble away in an honora-
BILE manner-thereby setting forth, as an ex-
ample, the mutability of all earthly things.
Examinations were made into the possibility
of its removal piecemeal or as whole to
Fairmount Park, or some other rural spot
where it might rest in state during its remain
ing days; but its worthy body being too shaky
and its component parts decidedly too dilapi-
dated, this project fell through, and the crazy
yethOnored structure was doomed, and has gone
through the horrors of a gradual distintegra-
tiOn and demolishment.
The Chamber of Commerce Building.
This structure, which will give additional
importance to the locality wherein it is to be
reared, and which will present to our citizens
such great antithesis between the architectu-
raj designs of the present and past centuries,
will be of imposing appearance, and we'll
worthy the Association it represents. The
dimensions of the building will be large and
ample, having frontage of SO feet on Second
street and depth of $50 feet on Gothic
street, including the projecting tower.
The extreme height from the pavement to
the crowning point of the tower will be so
feet to the cornice so feet 1t is designed for
a two-story building the lower one divided
by grand hall Is feet in width of tessellated
marble, and running the entire building,
There will be upon this lower story, equally
divided by and opening into this grand hall,
% Offices
Each will be fitted up in the most comforta-
BILE, convenient, and business-like manner;
each provided with ire-proof, wash-basns,
water-closets, ETC., with low-doWn CRATE in
the fireplace, amply ventilated and well
lighted, making, in fact, business apartments
hardly without equal in this city. OF these
twenty-five offices, there will be two principal
ones, with main entrance from Second street
Their dimensions will be-width, 35 feet, and
length, 38 feet, with means of communication
with back rooms, if increased accommodations
are desired. The height of this first story will
be "A feet. We ascend from this story by
grand staircase composed of solid black wal
nut, highly polished and finely carved, circlinj
upwards in a rotunda in the centre of tn
main hall.
This circular hall, having a diameter Of 3
feet, will be illunined by dome skylight a
the roof--a distance of 90 feet from tn
marble hoor-as well as from the door of tn
entrance hall. Ascending this staircase, W
enter into the "Chamber of Commerce,
which, if finished in the style and accordin
to the plans of the architect, Mr.. John Crum1
will supersede by far any chamber designe
for business purposes in the country, fl
beauty of construction, amplitude of accor
mediation, and architectural design. 1t wi
be l33 feet long, 81 feet wide, and with such
height that will seemingly enlarge its dime
sions two-fold to the vision. II
walls will be elegantly finished
the finest style of art, while their sir
plicity Of appearance will lend addition
attraction. No pillars or other incumbranct
will obstruct this large area but pilasters b
meath the Ornamented capitals, supporting
their turn the enriched stucco cornices al
ornate ceiling, will relieve the walls of the
sameness. The walls and ceiling are to
handsomely frescoed. Light will not
wanting in this new Chamber of Commerc
Especially will that article be we'll prOVid,
for, since it is SO peculiarly essential to Il
business there to be transacted-the examin
tians of grades and shades and kinds of fol
and grain. In all the four walls large window
will be placed, while from above light W
1our in from three dome skylights in ceiIiu
root, to give an equal reflection on all O
in the chamber
ge hues, at a distance of every 20 fe
the room, as well as sregisters in the aOC
les built up In the entrance hall, W
le building in the cold fall and wint
while for summer use, ventilati
be wanting, there being twent
between the side and outer wal
BILE ventilators, besides others in
T~ othing will go to waste about Il
neN re that can be of use. Extens
store-L in the shape of large cellar, v
be under , building, having access on
sides, and these, with the offices mentions
will return an income fully ample to prov
for the contingent wants of the Association
The appearance of the building will
doubtedly be handsome, since it will hav
granite base, with brownstone elevation. III
the Second street frontage there will exten
line of fluted columns supporting the entail
ture. Between these columns there will