The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-02

WANAMAKER q BRowN's CLOTHING HOUSE,
All the world now, except, perhaps, some iso-
lated and barbarous tribes In the very interior
OF Africa, goes clothed. Biblical history, how.
ever, assures us that old Father Adam and old
Mother Eve, prior to the sad eating OF the for
bidden fruit. knew not the necessity or modesty
OF clothes-that they wore but natures
coyering-and even after the disastrous eating
we know that their garments were only fig.
leaf aprons. Their chlldren-ouF forefathers-
kept up the custom, advanced from dg-leRves
to skins of beasts, and finally TO woven cloth,
until, in these times, we encsse ourselves all
over in raiment the fairer gender even
scrupulousIy hiding their faces under
wells. The manufacture OF clothing
has legitimately become of the
arts and the style of drels not only
distinguishes nation from nation, but also
points out the degree of civilization TO which
nations have respectively attained. We OF the
English nation, claim the highest civilization
and consequently, as we deem II, clobhe our
Selves in garments best adapted TO the uses for
which garments are intended. Since all this Is
30, survey of one of the largest OF our clothing
establishm ents. as type OF all, may serve both
tosatisfy a laudsbe curiosity and TO exhibit
the perfection to which the ART of mauufac-
turing clothing has reached. Upon the south
eest corner of Sixth ard Market streets in this
eity-tow erlng in massive magni1cence to the
height of six stories-stands the celebrated
"Oak Hall' Clothing House OF Messrs. Wana
maker d Brown. The building is one OF grand
proportions 1t fronts M ark ct street, covering
width of over nifty feet, runs back distance
of perhaps one hundred feet with this width,
and then somewhat contrS citing TO the width Of
thiry one feet ii stretches away TO Minor street,
adiItance of one hundred and eighty feet. When
the Market street section was erected in the
year 1850, six story buildings were curiosities in
Philadelphia, and the owners OF IL were gene
rail-! censured for what was called their
NADnn iUanb a M tnRA
thought frail and hazardous, but really, as now
Temdelled and improved, 1t is one OF uncom-
botl young men, boldly started their business
in at q gloomy time, on the l5,h day OF April,
lS6-the day on which was made the first call
for troops 10 suppress the rising Rebellion.
Without single exception, their friends ques,
SS eI they W" determined 10 risk the conssi
qpnces-and their present splendid structure
ami immense trade are proud and instructive
mnument of what can Dc accomplished by
Juicious management, lndonltaDle energy,
AM fair dealing. When they nrst began busi.
Aes in the place they occupied but three small
rOms-but as, month by month and year by
yer, their trade continued to increase add.
tioal accommodations had to be secured until
nnlly the vast building now used by them was
alltncluded. OF course, as they took Ia Few
premises, they had to tear down and build up,
so hat both the exterior and interior OF the
present. structure present an appearance far
sine Numberless tons of iron, in the shape Of
glr,ers, columns uusses, brackets, etc, have
bee used up In It's construction, as well as
evey appliance introduced which can add to
theuchftectural symmetry OF the interior, or
in my manner contribute TO It's utility aud
convenience for business purposes The pom
derus yet beautiful IRON front OF this establish
men is feature which cannot escape notice.
Toiescribe in detail all that may be learne
and cen In taking a stroll through the interior
OF tits extensive house would require more
Hpao than could well be afforded Dutyet some
brie outline may be given OF what was exhi-
bite to us as we went from floor TO floor under
the sentlemanly, guidance of s. NJ. Barbour.
Esq. the Chief Salesman.
ToDegln at the bottom, there Is an immense