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Show PENNSYLVANIA HALL . Tms beautiful building, which was destroyed by a mob on the night of the 17th of the Fifth Month, (May,) 1838, was situated at the south-west corner of Delaware Sixth street and Haines street, (between Cherry and Sassafras streets,) in the city of Philadelphia. It was about sixty-two feet front, by one hunUred feet deep; and forty-two feet from the ground to the eaves. The lower story was divided into four stores, fronting on Sixth street, with a neat lecture room, fronting on Haines street, capable of holding between two and three hundred persons comfortably seated, also two committee rooms, and three large entries communicating with the saloon by three stairways, each of which were seven feet in width. The second story formed one large saloon, having galleries ronnd three sides. At the west end was the forum, on each side of which stood an Ionic column, from which sprang an arch, the soffet or under side whereof was divided into panels filled with roses; over this arch, in large gold letters, was the motto- "VIRTUE, LlllERTY1 AND 11'\DEJ't:NDEN CJ.~." Behind the arch was a dome divided into panels, supported by pilasters and an entablature of the Grecian Ionic order,-thc whole forming a chast~ and beautirul arrangement. On this forum was a supc;b desk or altar, with a rich blue silk panel; bel.ind this stood the president's chair; on each side of this was a carved chair for the vice presidents; next to these were sofas; in front of which stood the secretary and treasurer's tables, with chairs to match. All these articles were made of Pennsylvania walnut of the richest quality: the chairs were lined with blue silk plush; the sofas with blue damask moreen; and the tables were hung with blue silk. The ceiling of the saloon was formed into one large panel, with coves all round the wall ; in the centre of this panel was a ventilator nine feet in diameter, having a sunnowcr in the centre, with gilt rays extending to the circumference. In the centre of the flower was a concave mirror, which at night sparkled like a diamond. In the corners of the ceiling were four quadrant-shaped ventilators of ~imilar construction to that in the centre. Over the ventilators were trap doors in the roof, which enabled the audience to have a constant stream of pure air passing through the house, without lowering the windows. This IIaU, which was brilliantly lighted with gas, formed altogether one of tlle most com mod ions antl splendid buildings in the city. |