The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-02

In addition to a railing and the border at the
top. These long balconies are now rare
One exists in East Twenty-eighth street
and another in Clinton place.
Down on lower Fifth avenue lie an I'M
usual specimen Of the same work which
extends owe the entire facade of a house
which has in effect two entrances, although
the appearance Is Of only one house. This
Gothic balcony crosses the entire first
floor, forming in the centre a more ele-
waited porch. The spaces between the
thin pillars are supplied with pointed arches
which are OF a kind with the extreme sim
plicity Of the rest Of, this pattern, almost
geometrical in its ~plainness.
The little three story red brick houses
on the East Side In the region described
were the dwellings erected to succeed the
red brick two story and dormer window
houses built early in the last century in
old Greenwich village and further down.
town. One looks in vain through those
downtown streets on the West Side for any
sign Of these ornamental balconies.
Every house has its straight stone steps
with the railing OF iron n sometimes the
ornamental newell posts of iron. But the
fancy wrought balconies were not a part
Of the New York architects equipment at
such ar early day. There are some beauti-
full old doorways still in Chelsea and in
the streets lying to the south Of it. but
that is an empty land so far as the balconies
are concerned.
Much the same style Of balcony is seen In
some OF the Southern cities. notably in
New Orleans. 1t vas from France that
they were brought to that part Of this
country. The specimens in New York are
undoubtedly Of local origin.
In general they are Invisible into three
different designs. In Just the same degree
that Chinese Chippendale is Chinese, the
most common Of these designs may be
light and graceful, and an occasional panel
Of geometrical iron grilling does not inter-
fere with the Oriental impression.
A very excellent specimen Of this pattern
East Thirtieth street not far from Lexing-
ton avenue. 1t has one other beauty than
the full preservation Of its design. 1t is
the solitary balcony seen by the writer
which was intended only for use from the
second floor.
1t stretches across the whole width of
the second story. The exquisite border
and the railing. are divided by three fiat
columns Of the iron, making divisions OF
equal width. 1t has the pointed roof. and
1t is about three feet broad. Altogether
there is no more typical or beautiful iron
balcony In New York than this one.
One Of the other long balconies Of this
kind is in East Fifteenth street. 1t is just
as perfect a specimen OF the Chinese Chip
pendale and extends at the stoop floor
along the entire front Of the red brick
house.
An interesting nuance is found here In
the cornice which finishes the top OF the
balcony. 1t consists OF a series Of orna-
ments. 100000 rather thar Chinese, and
not distinctively like the rest Of the bal
cony. Either this finish was very rare or
il is seen now on few OF the balconies be-
cause it has been worn away. Consider
ing the length Of time they have stood in
New York, the majority OF these balconies
are very well presI we'd
The application p these balconies TO