The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-07-23
ABOUT ARCHITECTURE.
The Care and Preparation Necessary to
Commence Government Building.

The Care and Preparation Necessary to
From the Washington Republican"
In noting the beautiful proportions,
graceful columns, and imposing towers
of the various Government buildings in
Washington and elsewhere, one does
not often think Of the immense amount
Of labor, care, and time expended on
each one Of them before spadeful Of
earth has been turned for the foundation
or chisel has touched the stone for the
walls. OF course for every building
erected there must always be 4 master
mind-an architect to plan and build
or to carry out the plans, and this is
usually done on the spot but the Gov
eminent buildings are often located
hundreds Of miles away from the Office
Of the architect, and work is often going
on At the same time at points as far apart
rs Oregon and Florida. Every one
does not know that every part of each
building is carefully measured, planned,
and provided for from the foundation
to the browning ornament of the dome
in the Office Of the Supervising Architect.
This work is done by accomplished
draughtsmen an architects under the
direction of the Supervising Architect
EACH BLOCK or GRANITE
has its own particular place in the s,ruc-
ture, and no other block can take its
place. Every door, window, arch, and
ornament is carefully outlined, mcasur.
ed, or modelled before the building is
commenced, and even the thing for the
floor is designed and the color selected
To carry on such 4 vast amount of work
requires many hands. At present there
are about thirty employed on this par
ticuiar work. many of them being cx-
pertS, and their services to the Govern
ment are invaluable. A drawing is frs,
made Of the building as it will appear
when completed, then follows the more
difficult part of making the drawings
and measurements for the diffcren, stories
floor by floor. These drawings must BE-
absolutely correct, and require such
nicely of finish that days are often spent
upon one of them, making them, there
fore, every.expensive, and as several are
usually required to each, the original is
covered with linen prepared for the
purpose, and carefully traced. This
copy is afterward photographed.
IN THIS WAY
any number Of duplicates can be pro-
duced at comparatively triiiing cost.
In the model-room attached to the Office
are prepared models for all kinds of or
namental work, such as caps for columns
and pilastcrs, bas-relief designs for the
facade, enriched work for balustrades,
&c. There are twenty-four buildings
in the course OF erection at present, in.
volving an expenditure of many millions
Of dollars. None Of them, however,
equal in size or elegance the new build
ing in this city for the State, War and
Navy Departments. This was designed
and commenced by Mr.. Mullett, and is
all finished except the west wing, which
is being slowly completed under the d.
rection Of Colonel Casey. The style is
A NEW DEPARTURE
from the prevailing style OF the public
buildings in the city, and by some has
been severely criticised. The interior
is more beautiful than the exterior-the
clean cut walls, graceful arches, tasteful
thing Of the floors, the beautiful finish
Of the stairs and railing impress one at
glance, and exquisite marble panels
and elaborate frescoing OF some OF the
rooms are unsurpassed anywhere
The position Of Supervising Architect is
an important one, and is at present
very acceptably filed by James G.. Hill,
Of Maiden, Mass. Mr.. Hill was ap.
pointed in 1876, but has been in the
Office about twelve years, filling other
positions.
SHE WAsN'T USED TO Ir.--In n