THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



11 



The Smithsonian building stands on a part of a tract of public land denom. 

 inated "the J/c/-7," and the grounds extend from Seventh to Twelfth streets, east and 

 west, and from the canal to B street, north and south, comprising about fifty-two 

 acres. The center of the building is directly opposite Tenth street, and the site 

 is about twenty feet above the average level of Pennsylvania avenue. 



The style of architecture is that of the last half of the twelfth century, the latest 

 variety of the rounded style, as it is found immediately anterior to its merging into 

 the early Gothic, and is known as the Norman, the Lombard, or Romanesque. The 

 semi-circular arch, stilted, is employed throughout in doors, windows, and other 

 openings. 



It is the first edifice in the style of the twelfth century, and of a character not 

 ecclesiastical, ever erected in this country. 



The main building has in the center of its north front two towers, of which 

 the higher reaches an elevation of about 150 feet. On the south front is a 



massive tower 37 feet 

 square and 91 feet high. 

 On the northeast corner 

 stands a double coinpanile 

 tower, 17 feet square and 

 117 feet high; at the 

 southwest corner an oc- 

 tagonal tower, in which is 

 a spiral stair case. There 

 are nine towers in all. 



The entire length of 

 the building, from east to 

 west, is 447 feet. Its 

 greatest breadth is 160 

 feet. The east wing is 

 82 by 52 feet, and 42 

 feet high to the top ot' its 

 battlement; the west 

 wing, including its pro- 

 jecting apsis, is 84 feet 

 by 40, and 38 feet high, 

 and each of the connect- 

 ing ranges, including its 

 cloister, is 60 feet by 49 

 The main building is 205 

 feet by 57, and, to the 

 top of the corbel course, 



NORTH CENTRAL TOWERS. 58 feet high. 



