Page:A tribute to W. W. Corcoran, of Washington City (IA tributetowwcorco00boul).pdf/50

judgment in matters of art the gallery bears evidence. The recent choice selections he was deputized to make in Europe, cannot fail to delight the most fastidious connoiss
^eurs. Mr. Wm. MacLeod has been appointed curator, and Dr. Barbarin, assistant, both gentlemen being admirably fitted for their responsible positions. In May, 1870, Congress passed an act of incorporation, and also authorized a liquidation of the indebtedness of the government, for the use of the ground and edifice during the war. The exterior of the building is of fine brick, ornamented with Belleville freestone. There are various designs appertaining to the arts, niches waiting to be appropriately filled, fluted pilasters and columns, the monogram of the donor, and not least the simple yet significant words—"Dedicated to Art." A Mansard roof surmounts the building, adding to the general stateliness. The interior is most admirably planned and reflects great credit upon the New York architect, Jas. Renwick. The ground floor contains the furnaces and storage rooms, and the other two stories are devoted to the exhibition of sculpture and paintings. Facing the grand entrance is a superb staircase of freestone, ten feet wide, with an iron balustrade leading up to the main gallery, and on each side of the stairs are handsome passages, with marble tilings. At the right of the entrance are the apartments of the janitor, and facing these is a large room, richly carpeted and furnished, for the use of the trustees, back of which extends the library. The sculpture gallery on this floor, at the rear of the building, measures in length 96 feet 4 inches, by 25 feet wide, and is lighted by ten windows. Two rooms connect with this gallery, and will be used for a school of design. All the columns about the building are white,