The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-13
AN EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING.

HE EXTRAORDINARY ADDITION I'd THE NEW
COURT HOUSE AND WHAT 1T HAS ALREADY
COST THE CITY,
For many months past the throngs OF people pass.
ing tho new County Court House have watched tho
gradual risc OF central wing to the south OF the
building, aud those whose called them
siuo have also noted tho atcrato and work on the
completion OF the unfinished dome. Strange n say.
ana u has seemed very unaccountablo 10 many, the
additions instead OF being Designed the same st
as The original building OF style radically differ.
ent The wing. some Atty feet square and three sto-
res IN height designed after liberal Interpretation
OF tho style known as Romanesque while the original
building IS in Italian renaissance. The unfinished
dome is bong completed in the same style The re.
suit, decidedly ncongruous ono, heavy, ungracc
full addition grated to the original building which
from It's style mas good deal Of grace, olunda
OF the same style the wing rising through the build.
ing TO the dome, with roof like a railway station
and forming strange contrast with its surroundings
AZ every turn.
The addition to tho building, tho outside of which
Is nearly finished, Is a richly ornamcntcd, much
carved adoption OF the Romanesque from which tho
eye strays Off 10 light upon much palmer walls OF
the principal building This makes an excresenc co
which, not remarkably slightly IN itsoif. only makes
palmer the architectural defects Of main building
In the architraves OF the three arched windows Of
the second floor and along tho rezc OF the third story
cornicc above the rectangular windows, ana In tho
upper rezo Of the second story and around tho
windows OF tho fourth floor, well as In a strong
band by the second story windows, thcro is a wealth
oil rich carved ornamentatou very expensive and
OF place In view OF the surroundings There very
little rcpose and much elaboration. Taken by Itself,
however, the Romanesque styio well carried out
for public building would DO pleasing The construc-
tor OF tho wing throughout very soiid almost like
q Tort, and expense has been spared in this
respect Tho stone ana brcklaylns parts Of tho work
are admirably done.
Tho design for tho large hall, which takes up the
whole Of the second floor, Is very rich one but
somewhat heavy. The ceiling Is Of stone, richly
carved. and the oxpansc is divided into bays sup
ported by our detached columns OF Aberdeen granite
and by eight scm.dctached ones. Inquiry at the
Office OF the New Court House Commissioners failed
to elicit what use this hall be put TO- but IL is
understood that tho floor above will % used law
library for the use Of the judges holding court IN tho
building.
THE RoruspA AND DOME
huge gable rooted shed has Tor long timo
shielded the work on the completion OF the dome
from the weather ana tho pubic view. Tho altera-
tons 70 give uniformity 70, and the work on the COM
pleton OF tho rotunda and domo are, before
style. The work Is in light yellow brick,
with ornnmcnlatons OF red and black,
capitals supporting tho lower arches On the
four broad brick arches forming the entrances. on
the second moor, whcre inc rotunda commences brick
arches sprngng IRON tho stone pillars alternate with
the cast iron nichos and ornamcItation of the Italian
style, while above riso tiers OF arches, three all
from the hoor and made up OF seventytwo arches in
all The man walls aro OF tho yellow brick tho
arches IN red and black These riso lal
iron work and hammered glass. Tho effect from the
noor below or IRON the gallery is certainly i'm
posing and rather peculiar; whilo looking from the
nails OF tho building past the decorated iron stair
ways nnd classic forms OF tho large doors IL Is
startling aud much out OF harmony.
THE EXPENSE.
From tho above II will DO that too building has
not gained much nrcbitccturaiy speaking. In the adj.
dition ana IN tho completion OF the DOME Tho addi.
tonai room secured for tho use OF tho city Will
DO space OF lty feet square In threo
stories. liberal estimate Of the cost OF this az
unnecessarily rich and Ornamental is, would be
some $500 900 TO S4y0OU0 |; was ascertaned on in.
curry at tho olco OF the Commissioners that con.
tracts were as foows:-Stone work, $780, G3l mason
work. Sfl, 13l; carpenter work, 81, 006; WORK.
sl9, slu; work Tor rooms, So 400. total amount
OF contracts 1886 94 On this April 70 S3l3 DAD
already been paia out. Adding 81 800 plumb.
ers aud othcr small ana some So 600 Tor tho
architects services according To tho gwen
Ut the Comm ssioncrs' oicc, the total would be
$3gi, AS
IL was learned upon reliable authority that up 10
yesterday s365 900 had been paid out and Il was
famed upon equally good authority that tho addition
when completed VIII cost the CITY In the vicinity OF
$4,000 which $3.50 QUO more than the liberal
maze spoken oil nrsL