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NEW ORLEANS ILLUSTRATED.
Till: CUSTOMHOUSE.
nrnrn years ago, the First .Municipality of New Orleans otiered the United States its choice of several squares, to be conveyed in fee simple, provided a Customhouse, worthy of the "rowing commerce of the city, would be erected 011 the ground chosen. The United States accepting the proposition, the Secretary of the Treasury selected the “ Customhouse Square” as the most eligible of those ottered, and in a short time thereafter the plans of A. T. Wood were adopted, November 22d, 1847, and the work commenced October 23(1, J848. A thirty years’ review of how the work has been conducted on this St. Peters of New Orleans, would be altogether incompatible witli the space or business of a guide book; suffice it that the work was carried 011 with greater or less expedition, according to the means at disposal, till the war, when, for a time, it was entirely suspended. When work was recommenced, under Colonel Morse, the building was literally filled with rubbish of all sorts. To remove, this and finish the portion now used as the Post Office was the first task of this gentleman and hi.> skilled assistants. How well they have performed their labors can easily be seen by a visit to the building. Next the completion of the
BUSINESS KOOM
engrossed their attention.
A glance at this beautiful room, the finest business room in the world, is all that we can give. The size of the entire room is 125x95 feet; the height—from tioor to glass dome or ceiling—fifty-four feet. Fourteen lofty columns are placed so as to give the central part of the room, a space of 45x(>5 feet, for the use of the general public, and outside of that for the accommodation of the officers and clerks. The columns are of the Corinthian order with attic bases ; the lower portion of the shafts plain and polished: the capitals varied to allow designs indicative of the purpose's of the room. At the top of each capital is a basso relievo of Juno, and another of Mercury, and designs of cotton and tobacco plants. These are so arranged that each faces its opposite 011 every column, and by looking at four capitals from any position, all the designs can be comprehended at a glance. The floor is laid out, in pattern, ot black and white marble, in tiles, each two feet square, witli' borders in black marble from column to column. Sixteen light holes are cut in the floor, four feet six inches in diameter, floored with glass one inch thick, cast 011 a hammered surface to break the rays of light, and ground to a smooth surface, presenting the appearance of green marble. Each plate is tlie centre of a star, handsomely inlaid with black marble. The room is heated by steam, the steam coils being suspended in the floor from the arches, and shielded l>y hexagon pedestals with marble tops.
Altogether, the room is a triumph of the art aud genius of man, and must be seen to be understood and appreciated.
To Mr. John J. Hannan, former Superintendent, much praise is deservedly given for the able manner in which he conducted the finishing of the Post Office department of the building, and also for the work done on the magnificent room which is the subject of our sketch.