REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTS. 133 



The heating of the building is to be done by low-pressure steam, on 

 the system of direct radiation. 



The wide main entrance doors of walnut and oak open outward on 

 spacious tiled vestibules, with sides and arched ceilings of ornamental 

 brick-work. These vestibules are closed at night and on Sundays by 

 wide double gates, the solid frames of which consist of wrought iron, 

 and the ornaments of cast iron 5 thus combining the utmost strength 

 with great economy. 



The northern entrance has been selected for general use, and hence it 

 was necessary and proper to give it due prominence from the others for 

 the guidance of strangers. The configuration of the surrounding ground 

 helped in this connection. A spacious tiled platform bounded by granite 

 side blocks is constructed in front of this entrance. It is approached by 

 four low and wide granite steps of 37 feet in length, which are flanked 

 by molded base-blocks, carrying stately candelabras. 



It should be remembered that in all our steps we were guided by the 

 absolute necessity not to overreach the appropriation at disposal ; and 

 hence, to produce the best effect with utmost economy, the exterior 

 decoration was confined to and concentrated on the centers of the fronts. 



The erection of this building requires about 5,250,000 bricks, 3,000 bar- 

 rels cement, 5,G00 barrels lime, 4,000 cubic yards of sand, 2,000 cubic 

 yards of rubble- stone, 1,230 cubic yards of concrete, 470 tons of wrought 

 iron, 31,000 square feet of glass, 00,000 plates of slate, of 2 square feet 

 each, 375 boxes of tin, &c. 



As soon as we received the required instructions our work was con- 

 centrated on the preparation of working drawings, schedules, and speci- 

 fications, so as to take best advantage of the low prices of material and 

 labor then prevailing, and in this we were successful to a great extent. 



We now proceed to give a history of the progress of the work during 

 the past season, operations being classed under a few general heads. 



During the whole season we were favored by the weather. From the 

 1st of May to 31st of December but twelve and one-quarter working 

 days were lost by inclement weather ; of these, nine and three-quarter 

 days were rainy, one was stormy, one severely cold, and a half a day 

 was lost on account of sleet and ice. 



1. Excavation. — The excavation for the foundations was commenced 

 on the 17th of April and finished on the 28th of May. It was carried to 

 solid ground, but nowhere less than 3 feet below surface, that the build- 

 ing should rest on earth below the disintegrating effects of frost and 

 drought. Under the topsoil a thick stratum of hard clay was met, and 

 under this a bed of cleau, dry gravel, which was struck wherever cellars 

 were dug ; this porous layer drained the site by absorbing the rain-water 

 as fast as it fell. 



2. Foundations. — The foundations were, under date of April 29, com- 

 menced with a heavy bed of hydraulic cement concrete and. were com- 

 pleted on the 30th of May. Upon the concrete bed they were continued 



