The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-09-22
MISCELLANY.
THE PALACE HOTEL IN SAN FRAN
cisco.

THE PALACE H0TEL IN SAN FRAN
cisco.
THE PROJECT NOT AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE
EXTRAORDINARY DIMENsIoNs--FouR HUN
DRIED BAY wINDows--INaENIoUs coNTRI-
vANcEs--LlGHT WOOD FURNITuRE-THE
COST.
SAN FRANcIsoo. Aug. 14.--The rich men
of the Pacific Coast, the Ralstons, the Sha-
rons, the Haywards, the Mackeys, the Mills
and the Floods, have sublime confidence in
the future greatness of San Francisco. have
from timc to time heard most of these gentle
men talk on the subject, and they evidently
think that the city will eventually rank with
New York and London. The enthusiasm is
by no means confined to the rich people, but
extends to all classes. refer to the weather.
classes because they are risking their money
on the city's prosperity. The most striking
evidence of this which now occurs to me is
the erection here by Messrs. Sharon, and
Ralston of the largest hotel in the world. Its
dimensions are extraordinary, and its re-
markable character, not less than its cost, en-
titles it to consideration. Mr.. Ralston and
Mr. Sharon in conversation say that San
Francisco, like New York and Chicago, is a
natural hotel centre, and that no misfortune
of trade, no failure of crops, and no CONNER
cial panic can affect its hotels or its general
business. From figures obtained from War
rem Leland, the lessee Of the hotel SO well
known in the East that no introduction from
me is necessary, it is estimated that 10000
persons 60 South every year to escape the
rigors of the northern winters, aud that not
less than 100000 go North every summer to
escape the heat and malaria of the southern
aud border states. The enthusiasts of the
slope think those people ought to come to
San Francisco, where the climate is uniform,
like Mrs. Camps punch, neither too hot nor
too cold.' The temperature here is somewhere
between so and 70 in summer AMI 90 and go
in winter, and SO far as the climate is con-
cerned there surely ought to be no argument
San Francisco is also-according to enthusiasts
the only seaport on the cost, and the whole
trade of the coast concentrates here 1t is the
entry port of the East India trade, and also
the centre of the China, Japan, Chill, Peru,
Central American States, Mexico, New Zea-
land and Australian trade not only with the
United States, but the world. The trade of
. the world with those countries In reality pass
es through San Francisco. 1t is the natural
watering place for those countries, and the
stopping place, the half way house, as 1t were,
between the antipodes.
The name of the new hotel is the Palace.
1t was projected by Mr.. Ralston of the Bank
of California, who has personally done more
to popularize not only the city of San Fran
cisco, but the whole State of California
than anybody else. He owned much Of
the land on which the hotel stands, and he
and Mr. Sharon, it is understood, own much
of the land near it. These gentlemen joined
purses for the purpose of building the finest
hotel in the world. An architect visited all
the principal cities of Europe for the purpose
of examining hotel architecture, noting i'm
proyements and novelties and gathering ideas.
All the leading hotel men in the United
States were also conferred with and their sug-
gestions obtained. When it was decided
what was wanted the architect went to work
on his plans. The hotel is now nearly fin
ished, and a good idea may be obtained of it.
The size is simply gigantic. 1t covers one
whole square-from New Montgomery to An
ME, and from Market to Jessie street. In
fact the building is $50 by 275 feet, covering
nearly hundred thousand square feet-and
being seven stories high. 1t is difficult to
describe the architecture Of the building 1t
is severely plain. In respect To-Day windows,
| architect, owners and lessee have all run mad.
Some idea may be obtained of the appearance
| of the hotel when it is stated that there are
no large columns, no domes, no arches no
steeples-nothing but bay windows Every
room fronting on the street has one, and the
appearance from the outside is very novel,
| At first it seems finical and triiing, giving
| the appearance of a monstrous building
covered with pigeon houses. There are in all
about 400 bay windows, SO that in the Ian
guage Of advertisements, no family should
be without one" The interior arrangements
of the hotel are admirable, The entrance is
on New Montgomery-st. through porte
cochere extending to a court, similar to that
Of the Grand Hotel in Paris. This court is
! IA by 81 feet and reaches to the top of the
building, being covered with glass. In this
court will be walks, fountains, statuary and
tropical plants The court differs from that
of the Grand Hotel in Paris in this respect :
On every floor a veranda IL feet wide extends
entirely around the court, forming prone
made above the garden, which is to be illumin-
ated in the evening. From the garden level
the second floor is the grand staircase, which
/ is ornamented with statuary and flower vases.
Vases of growing flowers and plants are to be
placed at intervals around the verandas, on
every floor. Nothing can be more beautiful
! in conception than this open court, gayly il