Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/95

 1868.] Miscellaneous. 75 press-room to admit of the erection of another press in a short time, the increased demand for The Age compel- ling such an addition. The counting-room is one of the most elegant that ingenuity and taste could construct. No expense has been spared to place it in keeping with the advance- ment of The Age, and to make it the conspicuous feature of the establishment. It is upon the first floor proper, seven- teen by seventy feet in size, with a lofty ceiling ; around the walls is placed a richly-grained wainscoting, some three feet in height : above this they have been ornamented with that latest of nov- elties, black walnut hangings, which, with a lighter-colored paper, ingeniously designed, gives to the walls an elegant, panelled appearance. Great care has been taken in the arrangement of this room, which properly combines both the publication and counting-offices. The counter, an excellent piece of work, is of solid walnut, in keeping with the characteristic colors of the room. At the point where it starts from the northern wall is the post-office depart- ment ; at the other end of the counter, which runs nearly in the centre of the room, and at a distance of nearly forty- three feet is the bookkeeper's desk, with all its array of drawers, cubbies, and pigeon-holes. In the rear of this is the cashier's sanctum, and in it is placed one of the largest fire and burglar-proof safes. In the rear of this again is the private office of the proprietors. This is separated from the other portion of the room by an ornamented black wal- nut partition, having apertures filled in with plate glass. The editorial rooms are upon the third floor of the building, and together cover an area seventeen by seventy feet. This space is divided into five rooms, in a manner that will lend the greatest de- gree of comfort and convenience to the editors and members of the reportorial staff. Here, as in the majority of news- paper establishments, the editorial rooms will be pleasantly fitted up, carpeted, well lighted, and furnished with the essentials that are necessary to the con- venience of the literary staff'. The rooms are all connected ; and the two centre ones, by means of folding-doors, can be thrown into one, thus forming a large drawing-room. There are arrangements for files of exchanges, works of refer- ence, &c, and such other features as will aid in the rapid management of the busi- ness of this department. On the fourth floor is the composing- room, and it is one of the finest in the city. As for ventilation and light, it cannot be excelled. On the Seventh street front there are six windows, on the north side five, on the south three, and in the rear three, thus assisting the compositors to perform expeditiously and properly their part in the publica- tion of The Age. The want of light is one of the great evils that compositors have to contend with, but this has been happily avoided in this department. An- other evil is the want of ventilation, and this likewise has been avoided by select- ing a very high structure, which looms up above those in the immediate neigh- borhood. — Philadelphia Press, June 11. The Park Commissioners — Election of Chief Engineer. — The members of the Park Commission held a meeting on the 3d of April, at the Mayor's office, for the purpose of adopting measures for the immediate commencement of the improvements to be made to the Park. During the meeting, John C. Cresson, Esq., for many years at the head of the Philadelphia Gas Works, was elected Chief Engineer of the Park. Mr. Cres- son being a member of the Park Com- mission, resigned from the Board after his election as Engineer. This is a de- served honor, the new Chief Engineer being a gentleman of scientific attain- ments, long identified with the welfare of Philadelphia. — Eds,