The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23

columns. When this work IL compIeted The
eastern approach will be most imposing and
grand, and will be thoroughly redeemed from
It's present unarclitectural appearance. East OF
the arched driveway, tho porte cochere to the
granite groin ceilings between the main eiiip-
columns Of stone preparatory TO carving. The
effect Of this Us substantial and, grand. On the
opposite the roadway. is a fourth BAY trssfteS din in
the same manner as the ones above described.
Tho section OF the terrace next to the roadway
L. curved outward, greatly Increasing the width
ofthe platform on either side and making a fine
effect, especially in the colonnade. The pilas-
connect with the retaining walls OF The road way
on the north and south side, which extend at
walls are embellished with ~pilasters with mould
The Commissioner then infinitely describes
each platform OF the approach. 1.-TWO corbais
there are, one on each side Of the approach.
They are richly, carved: one has, upon It the
twill be borne in mind that the material used
IN THIS great approach Is of finely, wrought
that the work has been done with greatest care
and precision. The stone has been cut by men
their duties most faithfully" ~
Although much attention and care has been
eastern approach. 1t is the grand western stair
case that receives hts most careful attention.
Ills Mhos ssP, pan; i d09 s OF 4 + 3 t h}. Of the true artist,
The next great work In progress at the time
work was suspended, on Oct. o, 1894, Is the
building. The work of erecting the structure
was commenced March 22. 1854, and con-
tinued at intervals. when appropri ations were
available, the, actual time expended on the
same being five and one-half years. The
structure occupies a space 10 feet 'i0ts inches
east and west. The east and west corridors
Of ofoh the n, main y, section .,s Of { the =, building extend
third, and fourth stories, except on the
west side Of the second story, where the
of the entrances. The effect produced in view
ing the stairs from the second story is most Inn
which is the great staircase have been made har-
monions with other portions Of the structure.
drawing in the corridors OF each story and eS,
tending through the centre openings between
cylindrical piers, fanked with columns near the
east and west corridors In the first story. in tho
east corridor and west part OF the second story,
and in the opening corridor in the third
from the centre line. Of the steps, in
creasing the length of the lower steps.
and extend up a little more than one-third OF
the height Of each story and lean on central
short runs of stairs on two Sides a at r IhnAs snpI ~
with the central runs. and lean on platforms
reaching to the walls. from which are four runs
OF steps, two on each side along the walls next
to the north ana south corridors, thereby max
ing four Landings; two In each corridor of the
the construction of the staircase Is such as to
form four liberal. sized walls, to which light is
uUlltt through tue kIhLtu FORMER anu Other
windows in the side walls.
The central portion OF the stairs, IL supported
bases and extending up from rom the fouHdatio Ssi at
stories. Glazed columns with moulded bases
and are embellished with carved caps. From
the lower eight ~pllasters and piers to the north.
ellipt,fcal arches: carrying the upper runs OF steps
which land in the corriaers. On these are sup
being furnished with groin ceilings. The yari-
Gus forms OF arches make q pretty picture as
viewed from the many points on the staircase,
and prove that the utmost scientific and skiltul
work has been ACCOMPLISHED. The successful
ful and interesting ~vistas."
The Commissioner then goes on to describe
the openings on the various floors which the
The north and south corridors In the third
story are completed. The lower section Of the
stairs, and the walls of the outer section are
faced with Indiana limestone. The panelled
side Of the window opening to the stops to the
angles. figures are represented. Much careful
ration Of the balustrades in the third story.
They stand out prominently from the staircase
on lodges and are adorned with spirited cary-
ings. On the centre ledge on the north side is
an excellently carved head OF Columbus in re-
and the three carayels In which he and his
ledge is carved tie Viking ship
and on the east ledge a modern steamship
ratings OF the third opening and the stops OF
the same on each side are richly carved and
present a fne effect, On the south and CORE
spending. ledge OF the openings is carved the
head and bust OF u typical American. girl, the
nrnisct e which iS1ou s5s so, Gonc s : d BY ifiUlibH 4isJ and
the hands to view. On the west ledge Is a
ploughing scene, and on the east a schoolhouse.
Of timber and children on their way to school.
The ploughing and school scenes are in bas re-
lief, supported by rich foliage,
Thee entrance To the state library Is from tho
corridor on III: same floor. A broad
u the arches Of the door. and the recess ex-
lends the whole length Of the west wall, and re-
tending to and including the capsof the columns
II the functions OF the north and south corridors.
This string course, together with the caps Of the
columns and pilasters, have been compledte.
Much care has been given TO the designs. On the
ransom over the state library is a carved repre-
wreath of oak leaves falling down on either side
of the same. and the whole set in well-designed
OF tie transom are the words " state
Library" with carvings, representing holly
,atS%n sp pn ! sitEe Ge sid LsoM wit Isn 4 bra .ne e" ~ iS Si s shne
twined around the letters. The doorway is
iankei with columns, the caps OF which are ex-
Iuisitely carved, as are also the caps OF the CEN
raj column on either side OF the recesses. On
of columns near the doorway are carvings
;upids ars represented In the spaces. between
he pilasters and columns at either side OF the
'Ourses. Heads representing old men and
'uplds are Introduced Al intervals ON the string
curses among ehtWlhtu lOllaBe.
On the east side OF the first story are carved
'orhals under the arches supporting the centre
'uns on the steps, representing justice un one
lad Liberty on the other. ON the west side
he COrbals are carved To represent a lamp and
,pen book on one aud a cross on the other. The
are supported by richly carved foliage.
The cOrbals supporting the third-stOTy arches,
which carry the centre runs OF steps On the
bear the words Excelsior on the one and
+ Pluribus unum' ON the other. On the west
ide il a quotation from the Declaration Of
Independence, ths letters carved on a smooth
ne is the head Of Thomas Jefferson.
which is carved between the caps OF columns
4 the pier just below. The corresponding
OrbIl supporting the opposite arch represents
he stars and Stripes. The head Of George
Washington is carved between the caps Of the
and the pier below. The yOussOirs of
he arches that carry the various runs OF steps
re two feet In height, with heavy carved beads
t the angles. formed by the face OF the arch
nd the ~sOfits."
The report. after c~omplimenting the manner
a which the wOrkmen have performed their
luty, says:
In case the balustTade In the grand stair
ass Is completed up to the various runsof stairs
rom the second To the fourth story, IL will bs
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