in treatment than the overmantel as to detract from it; they do not
occupy an unobtrusive subordinate position, as do the closet doors of
the parlor at Whitby Hall. Moreover, the trim of each door occupies such
a breadth of wall space that the fireplace and overmantel are narrowed,
the latter taking the form of a vertical rather than a horizontal
oblong. In fact, the dominant lines throughout are here vertical as
contrasted with the dominant horizontal lines at Whitby Hall. The
loftiness and stateliness of the room are thereby emphasized, but the
effect is less restful.

[Illustration: PLATE LXXX.--Judge's Bench, Supreme Court Room,
Independence Hall; Arcade at Opposite End of Court Room.]

[Illustration: PLATE LXXXI.--Banquet Hall, Second Floor, Independence
Hall; Entrance to Banquet Hall.]

In architectural detail the fireplace and overmantel recall that of the
Whitby Hall chimney piece. There are similar black marble facings about
the fireplace opening outlined by a hand-tooled molding, and similar
elaborately carved consoles supporting a handsomely molded panel with
projecting ornamental corners, but in this instance the panel is
surmounted by a highly ornamental top, consisting of a swag or broken
pediment with an exquisitely hand-carved floreated design in high relief
between the volutes which imparts a charming lightness and grace to the
ensemble. Pilaster projections bearing nicely delineated leaf ornaments
above the corners of the overmantel panel tie into corresponding
projections in the cornice and unify the whole construction. Otherwise
the chimney piece differs from that of Whitby Hall chiefly in its
moldings, in which the Lesbian leaf is prominent. The ovolo about the
marble facings of the fireplace bears the conventional bead and reel and
egg and dart motives, the latter having a leaf design in alternation
with the egg. The ogee molding outlining the overmantel panel is
enriched with a larger and a smaller leaf motive in alternation, while
the torus of the inner molding of this panel bears a little
conventionalized flower in alternation with crossed flat fillets.

Altogether more pleasing is the chimney piece in the parlor at Mount
Pleasant. In fact, it is regarded as one of the handsomest chimney
pieces without a mantel shelf in America. Its excellence is due not to
superiority of detail, but to better proportion, the breadth of the
chimney breast being sufficient to make the overmantel panel practic