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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
In most of the dwelling-houses and other buildings of Vienna, the stairway forms one of the most important architectural features of the interior. It is of stone usually, although of late the French constructions, with the use of wrought-iron, are coming somewhat into vogue. Where the flights are direct, without curve, the breadth of the steps must be at least four feet clear for buildings more than two stories high. The favorite form of stairway is that in which each step is built at one end alone, some ten inches into the wall, and is not otherwise supported. Good limestone is chiefly employed for this purpose, and stands very well when not subjected to violent shocks from heavy weights. In one of the new large hotels, where the steps are some twelve feet long, these are supported by double T girders, passing under each end and resting upon stone columns. Where the necessary space is at hand, a three-armed stair waj 7, is generally built in dwelling-houses, in each corner of which a square resting-place occurs, formed by a single stone built on two of its
Plan of staircase in a Vienna house.
sides into the adjacent walls. There is a case in Vienna of artificial stone being applied to this purpose and standing very well for several years;—its width and breadth are about