rnamental patterns being formed by flush
sections where the cutting of the flutes is interrupted. In both
instances the original fireplace opening has been partially closed up,
in one case for a Franklin stove, and in the other for a hob grate, both
for burning coal.

The mantel at Number 312 Cypress Street, with its well-proportioned
entablature and paneled pilasters, displays a central panel in the
frieze similar to the foregoing examples, but possesses a more distinct
Adam character in the human figures in composition applied to the
pilaster projections of the frieze, and in the drillings of the upper
fascia of the architrave, simulating festoons. A reeded ovolo and deeply
cut and drilled denticulated member lend sufficient emphasis to the
string course of the cornice.

At Number 729 Walnut Street is to be seen a typically Adam mantel of
exceptional grace and beauty. Instead of the usual pilasters the
entablature is supported by two pairs of slender reeded colonnettes, and
the fireplace opening is framed by moldings in which a torus enriched
with a rope motive is prominent. The shelf or cymatium of the
entablature has round corners and is supported by pilaster projections
above the colonnettes at each end and by a projecting central panel, all
of these projections being vertical fluted in the frieze portion. Both
the central panel and the sunken panels each side of it bear graceful
festoons and straight hanging garlands suspended from flower ornaments,
the central space of both sunken panels being occupied by a small,
sharply delineated medallion in white, suggestive of wedgewood. This
composition work was nicely detailed and is still well preserved. Below,
the upper fascia of the architrave is enriched in accord with the Adam
spirit. Drillings forming festoons with a tiny ornament above alternate
with groups of seven vertical dotted lines. The fireplace opening has
been closed up with stone slabs to inclose a Franklin stove for burning
coal, the effect being much the same as a hob grate. In terms of dainty
grace and chaste simplicity this is one of the best mantels in
Philadelphia.

CHAPTER XI

INTERIOR WOOD FINISH

Mantels and staircases, the most important architectural features of
interiors, were very properly elaborated considerably beyond the
somewhat negative character of background accessories by the builders of
Colonial times. Virtually furnishings as well as necessary parts of the
house, the