The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-02
PIRISIIN HOUSE-BUILDISG.

Under this title, the Psychological gi;-es an
interesting account of modern Paris. IL says:
There are some points OF instructive compar-
ison that can be drawn between hOuse-build-
inc in American cities and in Paris. Modern
Paris has been laid ont with much skill, on
What may be termed the radical principle, as
distinguished from the quadrilateral system,
which is almost universal in American cities.
In other words, streets are set out radi cally
from certain centres, with an ingenuity and
economy essentially "French." The houses
are built in blocks of two or three. and not in
detached blocks, as in American cities, Nearly
all houses in Paris are tenement dwelling
houses The habit prevails Of number oil
families renting the same block, and using
stairway common 10 all.
This system is in vogue with all classes; a
great economy is therefore effected, and the
system further consorts we'll with the present
social condition Of the inhabitants. Each
block contains courtyard and in the houses
Of the better classes this yard Is set out with
shrubs, evergreens, &c.
The stories around the courtyard are gene
rally devoted to the landings and sleeping
apartments, the easements around the yard
being used for offices, coach-honses, Kitchens,
&c: the apartments facing the street being
used as reception and living rooms. The
buildings are entered by wide portal, large
enough to admit carriage, and just within
the gate are the entrance or entrances to the
stairways. In this portal Is situated the office
OF the concierge. or porter, who has charge OF
the KEYS, &C., and resembles olr janitor; Jut
the system Of conciergerie is particularly
French.
Such is general description of Partisan
dwelling house. 1t should be added that the
Partisan houses are Of great height-six, seven
and eight stories not being uhllSlial. Stone IS
almost universally used az building material,
a good building stone being obtained in abun-
dance from qllarries adjacent 10 the city. Most
of the houses are run up with rllbble masonry
OF 4 stone commonly called Catacomb stone.
from the habit once prevalent OF using the
stone found In the vast subterranean cham-
ters formerly built under the city. but long un-
used for burial purposes, and at present in a
dangerous condition. There is but little OF
this stone left but similar stone from Qllarrles
near Paris Is that which is commonly used.
This rough masonry can be run mp Win
great rapidlty; French nas0nS. as
rule. oeng lavish in the use of mortar
or cement. The work. although apparently
rough. is OF most substantial character, ana
the walls are Uut Of great thickness. Iron Is
extensively employed. the iOorings being. in
general, supported upon casl-iron girders.
The general tendency is TO build houses OF
1ireproof construction. If the houses are IN
main or important streets, their .tNcaleS are
dressed with ashar masonry, and are adorned
with rich carvings. Ifin by-street or subur-
ban boulevard. the rlbber-built walls are rem
dered over with pure white species OF plas-
ter. manufactured from the sulphate of lime,
or gypsum, on which formation the city
stands This rendering is most effective,
and. when joints are cut upon its face,
bears the appearance of stone front. Hav-
ing at handa plaster Of the finest quality,
the Paris builders have taken full att
vantage Of 1t, and some of the finest pasterers
work Is to be seen in Partisan houses. The
root-drains are carried down in earthen, and
frequently in iron pipes, embedded in the SUBJ
stance or the WALL and made of large Diane
ter. so as to prevent the possibility OF their
being obstructed. Thus the unsghtlin ess OF
wall-pipes Is obviated. In the Bulevards pipes
are arranged so as to water the trees planted
upon the foot-ways
The flooring Of the household offices, The
passages, and landings is generally Of heXa-
:tonal red or ochred tiles The flooring Of the
apartments is generally Of handsome parQuetry
oi oak and walnut Carpets not being used;)
this. when polished with wax, is very hand
some
Light is freely admitted to the French
houses. instead of being excluded after the lnJu-
dlcious manner of our country. The windows
are all door-windOws, hasped by a very cum
bersone arrangements OF bolts. Although
these windows are handsome. they do not adj
nit OF the same nicely Of adjustment as our
own sash-windows.
The heating of the individual apartments is
generally by wood. coal being deemed the
luxury of the rich. But most houses are fur
nishcd with hot-air lues, the heated air being
admitted through square gratings.