Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04

On entering the porch at the southern
exposure one sees through the doors the
opening of the crypt, 80 feet wide in the
centre OF the chamber. Looking at the
vault there are observed the sarcOphagus
intended for the remains Of General
Grant and the space where eventually
the sarcophagus for Mrs. Grant Will be
placed Overhead the interior takes the
shape of a rotunda. At present there IS
a system Of approaches TO the monument.
with wide steps 10 the east and west.
a winding path to Claremont, and a broad
ascent from the south. AS soon as posi-
bic there will be constructed n broad
esplanade leading from Riverside drive.
which fronts the monument. down the
declivity to the edge Of the Hudson river.
and bridging the tracks Of the New York
Central. which lie at the rivers edge.
At the end of the esplanade there will
he an ornamental boat landing. This
work will buttress the bank Of the river.
upon which the tomb imposes q consider
able weight.
The great sarcophagus I'm which the re-
mains Of General Grant are to be placed
arrived in New York few days ago from
Chicago. The sarcophagus itself is con-
structed Of the product Of the quarries
at Montele Wis. The pedestal is
of the dark blush stone known as rail-
way granite, and comes from the quar-
ries at Quincy. Mass. the same
quarries from which the stone was taken
that was used IN constructing Bunker
Hin monument. The color OF the sarcO-
phagus is a dark, rich red slightly
variegated by the spots that are usually
found in granite Its hardness is three
times that OF ordinary granite. and there
fore it's resistance to q crushing pressure
is much greater.
All the exposed places Of the sarco-
phagus are highly polished. so much so.
indeed. that their surfaces will reflect
as if they were mirrors. The PEDESTAL
measures 10 feet 10 inches each way.
The lower course thereof is in pieces,
with simple Scotia moulding. II IS
foot inches thick. Above this is s.
inch course. also made in pieces. Under
this rest two large Blocks, 10 feet long
and feet wide. The pillow blocks
which support the sarcophagus and its
cover rest upon these. The total height
OF the sarcophagus above the floor OF the
crypt IS 7 IL feet
The plans OF the architect, as stated,
include two sarcophag1 exactly alike. the
second Of which is intended as the last
resting place Of Mrs Grant when her
life comes to an end. The Nock OF stone
from which the sarcophagus destined
for Mrs. Grant will be made Is already
quarried. and will be wrought into shape
after a time. The stone is so very hard
and has TO be worked upon with such
care that il is only by laboring night and
day that the sarcophagus for General
Grants body has been completed in
season.
Few persons out of New York city
realize the elaborateness OF the cere-
monial OF April 9th. on that day will be
seen the elimination OF series Of efforts
whose ramifcatlons have extended into
every State IN the Union. The Grant
monument Is erected with money OBJ
tanned from citizens everywhere 1t
IS not purely New York affair New
Yorks principal share Of the glory being
the location here OF the tomb. The
event is as national as the celebration
Of the Fourth OF July. IL Will be a
superb demonstration OF the fact that
the fire OF patriotism kindled on that
famous day, more than century ago.
stiE burns brightly in the heart OF every
American.