This is a structure, not yet complete, but to be of huge proportions,
the foundations of which are imbedded deep in the earth, there resting
on masses of stone, from which, as they rise from the ground, they
ascend in columns and arches of iron. It is situated near the upper part
of Broadway, in the city of New York, not far from the Astor library,
the Bible house, and the fine building of the Mercantile Library
Association. Like the Bible house it covers a whole block, and extends
on every side as far as the streets which surround will allow. The space
inclosed is nearly three-quarters of an acre. The ground is excavated to
the depth of twenty-five feet, to lay the broadest foundations, and also
to furnish space below the level of the street for a large hall, which
may be used for public assemblies. Here, under one corner, is to be a
complete apparatus for the manufacture of gas, and also for warming and
ventilating the whole building. From the pavement the edifice rises to
six stories, reaching a hight nine feet above the Bible house. The lower
story, which, from its long row of iron arches, presents a noble
appearance, is intended for stores, the rent of which will be a
perpetual endowment for the support of the institution. The second story
is to be fitted up for offices, which will also be a source of revenue.
With the third story, commences the portion of the edifice devoted
strictly to scientific purposes. Here, occupying the body of the
building, is a hall, which will hold four thousand people, and will
probably be found the best place for lectures in the city, being much
more spacious and elegant than the Tabernacle. It will not be quite so
large as the Academy of Music, which is out of all proportion with
ordinary speaking and hearing; but it will hold as large an audience as
can well get within the sound of one man’s voice. On this floor, a room
of ample dimensions is set apart for a school of design for ladies. This
is an admirable feature in the plan. It will furnish hundreds of young
women, who have a taste for drawing, with facilities for becoming
perfect in that accomplishment, and also with a means of support for
such as wish to teach. Another spacious apartment is devoted to Egyptian
antiquities. The fine collection brought to this country by Dr. Abbott
has been secured, and will form one of the attractions of the Cooper
Institute. Here will be placed the famous bulls, and all the wonders
brought from the land of the Nile. Other divisions of the building will
contain collections of natural history, of beasts, birds and reptiles.
Thus will be formed a grand museum, bringing together what is rare and
curious from the earth, air and sea. Here, too, the mineralogist and the
botanist will find a place for their collections, and the chemist be
furnished with his laboratory. Connected with these departments, there
will be professors and courses of lectures. The design of the benevolent
founder is to furnish to young men, free of expense, an education in any
branch of science or art. In many of its features, this institution is
modeled after the Polytechnic school in Paris. To every young man who
has a thirst for science, is here afforded the means of satisfying it.
The fountains of knowledge will be open to him, and he may drink freely.
We doubt not, many will avail themselves of this opportunity. Sir
Humphrey Davy once said, the greatest discovery he ever made was the
discovery of the poor Irish boy, Michael Faraday, now the world-renowned
professor of London. May not such a one yet be picked up in the streets
of New York, who will here find open to him a path to science and to
fame. Many a country lad, whose desire for knowledge can not be
satisfied in a district school, will here find an ampler field of study.
In future years, the dwellers in that part of the city will often see,
at midnight, the lights gleaming in those high windows, where ardent
youth pore over books, exploring that world of science then, for the
first time, opened to their gaze. In another year, _i. e._, by 1856, we
hope to see it in full operation. A structure so immense, of course, can
advance but slowly. It has been delayed, also, for want of stone, and in
order to have made, specially for this building, iron girders, which
take the place of wood, and which give greater strength and security. It
is guarded against fire, in every possible way, and built in the firmest
manner; and when completed, it will be a huge mass of rock and iron. It
is built to last for ages, and will stand as a monument to the
liberality of a private individual, who, having, on this very spot,
begun life himself as a poor boy, and risen, by a long course of
industry, to be one of the merchant princes of the land, desired to
found an institution for the benefit of the young men of his native
city.
[Illustration: VERGNAIS’S HERCULEAN BRIDGE.]