American Journal of Education (Volume 24) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1873. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The ground floor has entrances on each of the four sides, leading to spacious corridors, which cross at right angles in the centre of the building, --the intersection being arranged in the form of an octagon, with arches on each side, producing an imposing effect. On this floor are four large class rooms, each 36 feet by 28 feet, well arranged with reference to the position of teacher, and the doors so located that the scholars face any one who enters. Contiguous to each class room is a commodious cloak room, accessible both to the corridors and class rooms. One of the most noticeable and admirably disposed features of the building is the staircases. There are two of these, forming a flank to each side of the building. They extend from the basement to the lecture hall, on third floor, and terminate in two beautiful towers, which add materially to the external effect of the building. These staircases are wide, of very easy ascent, and, in their form of construction, with the arching overhead, present a really noble appearance. But this is their least merit; located as they are, they afford an entrance on each side to the grand lecture hall, and, although contiguous to the latter, do not mar its beauty or comfort by breaking up any portion of its space. Another invaluable result from this treatment, is security in case of 6re. Two large staircases so situated, widely apart from each other, and, although attached to, practically isolated from the main body of the building, present the best safeguard, and render impossible the terrible calamities which have more than once resulted in our schools from the neglect of this precaution. The second floor is identical in its arrangement with the first. The third floor is exclusively devoted to the lecture hall, the..