The Portland daily press., 1871-05-29

Saturday afternopo there was an lhofna'
meeting Of committee of the Trustees OF the
Maine General Hospital on the Arsenal
grounds, on Bramhall hill, when some pre-
liminary surveys and measurements were
made for the work of construction, which VIII
be begun as soon as possible after the present
State buildings are removed. The plans,
which have been made by Mr.. Fassett, (after
an examination with committee of the Trus'
tees of several like institutions in the country
have been practically adopted, the different
members of the Board of Trustees and Build
ing Committee haveing examined and approx
ed them, and only formal vote is necessary TO
properly conclude this matter.
The land which by gilt of the State ana inc
city is soon to pass into the hands OF the cor-
poration, has front of about 300 feet on Ar
sanal street. and extends over the Dortherly
slope of the hill to Congress street, embracing
about seven acres. 1t covers Ash street, which
b as been laid out but not opened; and it is pro-
posed to discontinue this street and open one on
the westerly confines Of the Hospital property,
and nearly at right angles to Arsenal St., and
all it Gilman st. There is sufficient space on
the plateau now occupied by the Arsenal build
ings for the new hospital, and very little grad
ing will be necessary. II is proposed to locate
the main buildings back fifty feet from Arsen-
al street, and the structure when viewed from
the street. will show central building GA feet
front by 30 in depth, four stories high, hip roof
ed, with tower and turret. On each side is a
pavilion $50 feet long, and about 40 wide, two
stories with high base ments, with fronts
properly broken up and the roofs sustaining
turrets in the centre. These paviliOns are 18
feet from the center building and connected
with it by covered corridors open at the sides.
The central building will contain the apart
ments Of the officers, aud be used for general
business purposes. The basement stories of
the payilons will be assigned to the use of the
nurses, attendants, servants, &c. TheIwards are
10 the upper stories, occupying 80 feet in the
centre, and 30 feet wide. There are twenty
beds in a ward and the ends of the building are
appropriated to private wards, cOnvalescent,
bath and nurse rooms. Directly in The rear of
the central building aud connected with it by
an enclosed passage, is the kitchen, about 40
by % feet in dimensions; and still further back,
the boiler-house with tall chimney, by means
VI WuiCa Oh tuo Ouhuiuko III enO Stoup oIC w
be ventilated by well-approved system. Sew
enty-ive feet in the rear of the pavilions al
ready mentioned, are two other buildings of
like dimensions and style, and for the same
purpose. Still further in the rear of these aud
standing on the easterly line of the group, is
the operating building, sem-crcular struc-
ture, with a room for etheriizing the patients,
waiting room and a ward for patients that
have undergone surgical operations The OPP
Grating room is an ampitheatre, with seats ris-
ing in tiers. The northwardly sides of the
rear buildings will be finished with faces sim
liar to the front, but somewhat subdued in de.
sign and will present fine appearance when
viewed from any point in that direction. The
ampitheatre will be connected with the wards
on that side of the ground by covered pas
sage. Our description is of course, imperfect,
but some idea can be gained from it of the ex-
tent and grandeur Of the design. A front
view will present three grand and mas
sive buildings, extending for 400 feet, while
the sides will occupy perhaps 175 feet. How
much of the plan is to be carried out this year
is question to be determined by the Trustees,
which will be an early day. The projectors of
this humane enterprise were exceedingly for.
tunate in obtaining SO fine spot for the Hos
pital. 1t is the highest point within the limits
Of the city, being 100 feet above the sea, and
overooks all the surrounding country for
miles, the eye commanding panorama of un-
surpassed scenery, taking in on one hand a
point far south of the Reform School round to
the Marine Hospital ard the bay beyond.
Tourist have remarked that the prospect from
Bramhalps Hill is equal to any in tho county;
and with good soil, pure air, and abundance Of
the best water, and buildings that embrace all
the best features in the different hospitals in
the United States, the external influences will
conspire to bring health, If it can be attained
at all, to the sick and suffering whom misfor-
tune may make inmates of the Institution.