Davis, Alexander Jackson, 1803-1892
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N. York
March 24 '45
Dear Sir:
I received yours by
Mr. Carr, and am
glad to hear that your work is at length in progress. With respect to a
change in the north front, I do not think it can be
done without injury to the purposes of the building, since very
large apertures are required for light and look out
over the door. By reducing the height of the lower story, we bring the sills of
the windows of 2
nd story in "Oderon" high
above the floor, so that
there will be an indifferent look
out at them, but by panneling the whole space between the
pilasters of N. front we may
pierce any of the panels
for light. Besides we would give a
common place
character by inserting ordinary factory-like
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windows, wholly at variance with the other features of this front, which I wish
to preserve in a grave, or
august character, even at
the hazard of a
contrast with the sides of the
building. The
trees will
shut
out the two contrasting faces, in a great degree. And if they should
not, it will be better (in my mind) that the building have one redeeming
characteristic feature —
one good eye tho'
that
be Cyclopean in its character. Let us look
sometimes with the
heart as well as the head, and
more eagerly for beauties than for defects.
The bell may be placed upon
any of the buildings with or without a cover to it, and be made as little
conspicuous as possible, until a more suitable place be erected for it, in a
tower.
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The whole space between the two pilasters is to be
filled with plain sunk panel, like the door, and be in the same plane (flush)
with the opening part; the glazed part without sill or lintel, other than those
pannels above and below, which come against the beams; and the whole is to look
like the door. Those pannels that are glazed, above, for light in Oderon and
L[ibr]ary, may open or not, perhaps they had
better be secured against the weather, and be fixtures, not to open, since the
side windows will air and ventilate the rooms sufficiently. The pilasters may be
linked together behind the panel work by brick in front of the beams, so as to
tie the parts, if the builder thinks best, but no part of the surface, from top
to bottom, is to project over, but be in one uniform plane, in front, surrounded
by a bold architrave, as per plan, rising to the top of the pilasters.
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