Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/315

 1868.] Tlie Gazette. 255 which fancy introduces into the archi- tecture of the day, and which fashion stamps with her signet, our merchant princes, ever desirous of surpassing their neighbors, grasp with avidity, and without delay make use of, the newest designs, — pulling down and building up, with the same matter-of-fact indiffer- ence, as though changing a spring gar- ment for a summer one. Thus, we see the Mansard roof taking the place of the Roman, Grecian, Italian and Gothic coverings. Nothing else presumes, just now, to compete with this happy notion of Monsieur Mansart. It, is, certainly, a vast addition to our field of domestic design ; and deserves well the wide- spread patronage it is receiving. For, with its aid, we may run our buildings much higher than of old, without the least dread of appearing overgrown, or awk- ward. It is indeed a very pleasing treat- ment of a once veiy troublesome feature of construction. But even it may prove a negative blessing, as we have too often seen the angle of inclination such, as to give it almost the appearance of a one- fourth pitch hip-roof, with the top cut square off. In fact, the angle of the Mansard is almost arbitrary, and ranges within 65 and 70 degrees. Some archi- tects have made it greater than this ; and certainty without improving its beauty. One of the great objects gained, by the use of this form of roof, is the head- room obtained in our garrets. The loftiest Mansard in New York is that of the Herald Building, which is unquestionably a very fine specimen of that style of roofing : and in light, space, and ventilation, answers well the neces- sities of a composing-room. Among the many private dwellings of the first-class, which have expensive roofs of this formation, that of A. T. Stewart, the merchant prince, stands prominently forward; and is, in the pleasing tints of its slating, a relief to the eye, from the mass of white marble it surmounts. But, as we propose at another time, a review, critical and descriptive, of these first-class houses, we merely mention those alluded to, in speaking of the Mansard roof. We will, here, venture to name, also, the Academy of Design, as being a fair specimen of unique buildings crowned with this ornamental covering. If the folly of fashion, led by the whims of wealth, does not control the better judgment of our architects, the Mansard may have a most desirable reign. If otherwise, it may prove a curse to art, instead of a blessing. The interiors of our dwellings of the higher order are, for the most part, ad- mirably arranged as regards comfort combined with elegance ; and, in fact, no novel idea of the architect, the cabinet- maker, or the upholsterer, fails to find ready and liberal patrons, in the wealthy class of our citizens. The long-estab- lished vocation of the grainer and imi- tator of valuable woods is now pushed aside, to give place to the real articles ; and walnut, butternut, beech, maple, rosewood, &c, are to be found in the doors and wainscotings of every house of any pretensions to high taste. Nay — this innovation has even reached a wider field, for a company in Boston* is now actively engaged in manufacturing a beautiful substance for wall-papering, in the surface cutting or veneering of the most admired woods, ready to be glued or pasted on the walls, in any form or shape required. The branch office, on Broadway, is well worthy of a visit ; and shows how ornamental this novel pro- duction appears, laid on in long panels bordered with gilded strips of moulding, each panel a different wood, and all highly varnished ; being capable of receiving a thorough washing ; thus can Veneer Company is located in Ne wYork city itself, and entirely different companies, dependent on them for the Veneer stock, are engaged in introducing these wall hangings We have one such in Philadelphia, estab- lished about a year since, and the Bostonians are prob- ably similarly well provided. Why should New York be content with a branch office? — Eds.
 * According to our very reliable information the Ameri-