535 



"been fully realized. Blue, red, and yellow tints have been ex- 

 perimented with, and brought into contrast, in the Park Archway ; 

 yet the general effect of color is .much less decided than was 

 originally proposed. The material appeared to withstand the 

 effect of frost satisfactorily, and as it offered considerable advan- 

 tages in molding different work, it was considered suitable for use 

 in the center of the Plaza basin. Its design was approved by the 

 Commission for the somewhat massive decorative structure, re- 

 quired, in connection with the jet distribution of the large fountain, 

 and an estimate submitted by the Coignet Company proving satis- 

 factory, a contract was made with them for the execution of the 

 work, which is now in progress, the material used being of the 

 ordinary natural color of the sand and cement out of which it is 

 constructed. Each of the main castings is of a complex, curvi- 

 linear, and somewhat cumbrous form ; yet the lines are kept with 

 remarkable exactness, no warping, expansion, or shrinkage being 

 perceptible. This is a great advantage in repetitive architectural 

 work, castings in other materials, iron or terra cotta, for instance, 

 being so liable to inaccuracy that they can hardly be reckoned on 

 to fit together with any degree of precision. 



As directed by the Commission, a contract has been made for 

 the railing round the Plaza fountain basin. It is to be of iron, 

 electro-plated with copper, and is of somewhat special design, as 

 the intention has been to obviate any necessity for the use of lamp- 

 posts, by the introduction of a circlet of lamps on the interior 

 line of the railing. In this position they can be overlooked by 

 day or by night ; while, upright standards, with lamps attached, 

 would at all times have obstructed the view of the water effects of 

 the fountain. A contract has also been made for the lamps and 

 standards to be used on the Plaza. A general design for the 

 martyrs' memorial to be erected at Port Greene has been adopted, 

 and the foundations of the work have been executed ; a portion of 

 the structure having been put under contract late in the season. 

 A design for the Rostrum intended to be built at the angle of the 

 Muster Ground in Fort Greene, has been accepted, but no con- 

 tracts have yet been authorized for this work. 



January, 1873. 



OLMSTED & VAUX, 



Landscape Architects and Superintendents. 



