EIFFEL TOWER. A colossal structure erect ed in the Champs de Mars. at Paris, by the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel (q.v.). It was completed March 31, 1889. in time to serve as one of the notable features of the exposition of that year. The lower section of the tower consists of four built-up iron columns, each of which consists of four smaller columns. resting on masonry piers, and giving a supporting base 330 feet square. Around each of the four piers is a masonry wall S5 feet square and about 30 feet high, out of which the piers seem to spring. The four main columns curve toward each other until they unite in a single column, 020 feet above the ground. The piers are connected by arches some distance above the ground. There are platforms at the 1S9 feet, the 380 feet, and the 906 feet levels, which are reached by elevators as well as by stairs. Beyond the third platform a spiral staircase. which is not open to the pub lic, ascends to the top of the tower, which is 934 feet (300 meters) above the ground. In each of the four piers there are but two of these run to the first platform only, and the other two stop at the second platform. A third set of elevators
runs between the second and third platforms, or 520 feet, cue elevator making half the distance and the other the remainder. Each of these ele vators may carry sixty-three persons. Otis eleva tors, American make, run from the ground to the second platform. On the first platform. which has a floor space of 3Sh000 square feet, or nearly an acre, there were four restaurants at the t hue of the exposition. Search-lights are momited near the top of the tower. and here is a meteorological observatory. with physical and biological labora tories. The view from the Eiffel Tower extends to a distance of about S5 miles. In the construe lion of the tower some 7000 tons of iron were used and the cost was estimated at considerably over $1,000.000, of which about $292,000 was voted by the Government, while the remain der was supplied hr M. Eiffel, who trusted for his reimbursement to the receipts from admission fees during the twenty years for which he is entitled to the profits of the tower. The profits for the year 1S89 alone nearly paid for the cost of the tower.