completed, yet even now presenting an appearance which few temples of ancient days can surpass. Our engraving gives a truthful and graphic appearance of this immense building, as it will appear when completed, and we challenge modern Architecture to produce its parallel-in commanding position, in extent, and in durability of material and construction; but more than all, in its simple elegance and classical proportions. Light and ornate-without fragility or meretricious ornament-it fills the eye, and leaves no hiatus for the imagination to supply. Gracefully, yet massively, with its rich colonade of Corinthian columns, arches upward the lofty dome till, 300 feet above the eastern base, the figure of armed Liberty, in its colossal proportions, crowns the apex, finishing in beauty this great monument of American genius and skill. But to the history again, leaving this branch for another page. On the 18th of September, 1793, the south-east corner-stone of the north wing was laid by General Washington, in the first year of his second term as Chief Magistrate. The Masonic Order of the vicinity, and many leading men of the country were present to witness, not only the elaborate and interesting Masonic ceremonies, but also the initial step of the first National and Federal building. The plan of the Capitol was designed by Dr. William Thornton, an amateur architect, but a gentleman of much erudition and refined taste. In Mills's pamphlet on the subject of the Capitol, we find that Dr. Thornton's plan was approved by Gen. Washington in 1792, and submitted to S. Hallet, an English architect, who modified it in some of its parts. What these changes were Mr. Mills does not state, but they were, as far as any record shows, by no means radical, and mostly, if not entirely, confined to strengthening and lighting the interior. Mr. Hallet was succeeded by Mr. Hadfield; but before the north wing was completed James Hoban, architect of the President's House, succeeded Mr. Hadfield, and under his supervision the wing was completed. B. II. Latrobe was appointed by Mr. Jefferson, in 1803, as architect of the Capitol; he changed Dr. Thornton's plan very materially, and in 1810-11 the south wing, under his direction, was finished; here the work ceased until after the war. It is well known that on the 24th of August, 1814, the British troops, after the failure of the American force under Gen. Winder to check them at Bladensburgh, entered the city, and in a spirit of rude Vandalism, which finds no parallel in the annals of war among civilized and Christian nations, burned such portions of the interior as their pyrotechnics could reach, including the Library. After the war, the citizens of Washington erected a comfortable brick building, still standing, at the north-east corner of the Capitol grounds and first street east for the accommodation of Congress. There that body met till the Capitol was rebuilt. Mr. Latrobe was the architect, but resigned in 1817, when President Monroe appointed Mr. Bulfinch, under whose superintendence the present building, terraces, gateways, &c., were completed in 1825. The whole cost of the Capitol and grounds was nearly $3,000,000. The area of ground covered by the Capitol, center and wings, is 62,000 square feet; the front has an extent of 352 feet; the wings are 121 feet deep; the projection of the eastern front of the center, including the steps, is 86 feet, and of the western 83 feet. The dome, now nearly demolished, was 145 feet from the ground. The principal front is the east, turned away from the inhabited part of Washington, and consequently considered by visitors as in fact the rear. This front presents a grand portico THE SOLDIER of 160 feet in extent, composed of a double row of Corinthian columns, elevated on a high rustic basement; it is surmounted by a pediment, enriched with devices in marble, which our space does not permit us now minutely to describe; we, however, present a pictorial copy of them. In two niches on this portico, on either side of the door, which opens into the rotunda, there are two statues, by Persico, in marble; the record teaches us that they are symbolical of Peace and War. We have occasionally studied these colossean figures to learn why they have been called thus, but our success in the acquistion of the requisite information is by no means commensurate to the size of the figures or the reputation of the artist. War, as there represented, is a gentleman with gymnasian development of muscle, and a remarkably benign expression of countenance. He is incased in armor of an exceedingly ancient fashion, more cumbrous, we imagine, than easy to wear. His offensive weapon is a curiously small, but classical sword, in a sheath, and for a defense he has a shield; the appearance of the statue is very quiescent and quite harmless. Peace is a stout female, with an olive branch in her hand; she is apparently a goddess somewhat advanced in life, certainly not under thirty years of age. We are not certain that Persico was blameable in the matter, as he probably received an order for two statues at a fixed, and rather a minimum, price, to be finished in some very short period of time. His own, or some friend's studio, or some temple furnished his models, and his mechanics were at once put to work. We must admit that the stonecutter has done his work in a most creditable manner, and we regret we are ignorant of his name. of power; no national soldiers, no force visible, save the great moral force of Republican simplicity. Let us pause here a moment, and think of the scenes enacted, and the great and noble men who have stood where we stand. All our Presidents excepting Pater Patriæ and John Adams, here took the oath of office; what an array of names! Jefferson, Madison, Munroe, J. Q. Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Polk. Taylor, and Pierce; two only survive. And here, too, gazing out upon the same scene, have stood Hamilton, Marshall, Burr, Gerry, Tompkins, Livingston, Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Wirt, Randolph, Wright, and a host of others whose names stand high up in our Temple of Fame. The Capitol Grounds, as they are called. comprise thirty-five acres, laid out and improved in a style in accordance with the building and the country. On the west, the Capitol is surrounded by a terrace which hides from view the sub-basement, and relieves the entire structure from a nearness of approach; the minor parts do not offend the eye, which gazes, as it should, at first only on the more striking points. From the center, a broad pathway leads to the main gate, which opens upon Maryland avenue, a broad way leading across the The eastern portico is the vestibule to the great political temple of the Union; there, on the 4th day of March of each succeeding four years, an altar is erected to the genius of Republican institutions; there the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, as Grand High Priest, in the presence of all the representatives of foreign powers, and all the chief officers of our own Government, and in presence of thousands of the people, a sovereign of one of the largest, most prosperous and powerful countries of the world, surren-island to the Long Bridge; another paved way ders his power and his place to the people passes to a gate on the right, to Pennsylvania who conferred it upon him; and his successor to avenue. Approaching the Capitol from the the Presidential chair, till that moment a mere west, the first marked object is the Naval Moncitizen, takes the oath, administered by the ven- ument, dedicated to those gallant men who erable Chief Justice, and becomes for four fell fighting for their flag before Tripoli. The years President. There is no pomp or display monument consists of a small shaft, resting EDUCATION. pon a pedestal, base and zocle. Upon the top of the shaft is an American eagle, bearing the symbols of the Union. On the top of the base, technically the zocle, are four marble figures, medium size, representing the Genius of America, History, Commerce, and Fame. The monument rests in an oval basin of running water, and, with its ornaments, is really attractive, more especially as the shaft and the surroundings have much to do with the subject to be commemorated; but time has made it necessary that some one, whose duty it is, should have certain repairs made at once. Passing the Naval Monument, we ascend to the terrace, which, leaving a wide area between it and the sub-basement, screens the latter from observation. From this broad walk is presented a scene of peculiar beauty and interest. Far to the south, down the Potomac, the white outline of Fort Washington is visible; a few miles nearer, we behold Alexandria, which is as ancient in American History as its namesake in that of Egypt. The city, by the act of retrocession, is now an integral municipality of the Old Dominion; it boasts of considerable commerce, both foreign and domestic, and as it bas recently become connected by rail with a large extent of the State, already has the tardy recognition of the laws of commerce, which demand an opening to ma-ket of the agricultural and mining districts, exhibited its good effects on the trade of the old burgh, as well as on the rural districts. Nearer still, on the eastern bank of the Potomac, is seen the Lunatic Asylum, a large and well constructed building erected by the United States, to accommodate the unfortunates of the District. On the nearer shore of the Eastern Branch, is seen the Arsenal, and in proximity therewith is the Penitentiary, for though the District of Columbia is denied the political rights of a State or Territory, it still requires all the institutions that wait on civilization. Looking to the west we see, for a mile and a half, that broad street-much abused, yet much admired-Pennsylvania avenue, with the President's House at its apparent terminus. Beyond is the National Observatory, while nearer is the unfinished Monument to Washington and the Smithsonian Institute. Directly below our feet are the Capitol Grounds, with trees and flowers and the green sward, all looking fresh and beautiful, evincing constant care and attention, and wooing the man of business and the idler to saunter around the graveled walks or rest upon some of the numerous rustic seats scattered around. Here weekly, during the Spring and Summer months, the Marine Band discourses sweet music for several hours, and thousands, including the President, Foreign Ministers, grave Senators, Members of Congress, and all the fair denizens of the Metropolis, assemble to listen to the music, throwing off the cares of office and of state, and enjoy the moment. No city in the Union can produce a parallel scene, or a similar audience; for here there are few or none of that class of rowdies that mark all cities with trade, manufactures and commerce. Mere dry, guide-book details will not convey an idea of the Capitol; and though our engravings will aid the imagination, we desire to of beauty; for if size is all that is requisite, the Government rope-walk at Charlestown and the railway depot at Detroit might safely rival the Parthenon and the Farnese Palace. Grandeur and sublimity require not only hight and bread th, but harmonious proportions and minuteness of detail; a conglomeration of forms and the attributes of beauty are requisite to finish the picture to the eye and satisfy the imagination. To inform our readers that the entire eastern front of the Capitol is 750 feet, being nearly 50 feet more than St. Peters in its largest projection, and nearly 200 feet greater than St. Pauls, or that it covers over three and a half acres of ground, will not, as an isolated fact, prove our position-that it will, when the extensions and the dome are completed, stand forth one of the finest architectural monuments of modern THE INDIAN CHIEF. ing; but the pediment of the north wing is to contain a number of statues, designed and modeled by Crawford, and now being cut in native marble under the direction of the Superintendent of the grounds. These statues, a drawing of which we give, are truly beautiful, and prove that Mr. Crawford has genius which will place him among the first of sculptors. The GENIUS OF AMERICA stands in the center, based upon a rock, standing unmoved amid the lashings and turmoil of the ocean, which surrounds it; the national bird, the eagle, is appropriately her attendant, and the sun, rising at her feet, typifies the light which shines around Liberty in her onward march. In one hand she holds oak and laurel leaves, ready to place them on the brows of the victors in the great contests for civil and military glory. The other hand extends in a supplicatory manner toward Heaven, pointing to the Pioneer, on whom she invokes the blessings of God. Next is the athletic figure of the Backwoodsman, the pioneer of liberty and civilization, before whose approach the aborigines have fled and the mighty forest fallen, and the wilderness been truly tia: The extensions consist of two wing buildings erecting at the north and south ends of the present structure, each 152 feet 8 inches from north to south, with a width from east to west, including porticos and steps, of 324 feet. On the east they present a double portico, in the center of the façade, 28 feet in width; from the stylobate surmounting the rustic basement there arise 22 Corinthian columns, with elaborate capitals, supporting an entablature and a pediment-the proportions are so good that it seems to require the columns made to "bud and blossom like the rose." He to sustain the weight. It has been frequently, and perhaps justly, objected that the angle of the pediment of the old building was not classical, and consequently that the effect was bad; in the new pediments this defect has been completely remedied, and the angle is softened and rendered perfect. The frieze of the entablature is not ornamented, nor is it on the center build THE INDIAN CHIEF'S FAMILY. is a fitting representative of the brave evangelist of free institutions. The Indian chief and his family typify the extinction of the red men before the onward march of their Caucasian exterminators, and the grave is ready to receive these last survivors of the millions who roamed in savage freedom over the continent less than three centuries since. MECHANISM. The other side is devoted to types of civilization and the beneficial effects of liberty. The first figure is a Soldier, properly costumed in the uniform of the army of the Revolution; his hand is on the hilt of his sheathed sword, evincing his willingness to draw it when required by his country. The Merchant is seated amid the emblems of trade and commerce; his hand rests upon the globe as if claiming its entire circuit for his ships, while the anchor at his feet (Hope) connects him with the figures of the two boys, advancing to give their services to their country. Nearly behind the anchor is the Teacher, instructing a youth, indicating that education is requisite to the welfare of the country. Next is a Mechanic, with his brawny arm resting upon a cog-wheel, fitting emblems of the power that creates our huge steamers, and builds our factories and machinery; at his feet are sheaves of wheat, corn, &c. The statuary for the south pediment is not designed, or rather, some designs sent for approval to Captain Meigs have not yet met his approbation. The corner-stone of the Extension was laid on the 4th of July, 1851, by President Fillmore, with Masonic ceremonies, and the orator of the age, Daniel Webster, made, upon the occasion, one of his most eloquent orations. The design for the exterior, and the plans were prepared by Mr. Thomas U. Walter, and approved by the President. It should be borze in mind that the Extensions had, in their general outline and appearance, to comport with the old parts of the buildings. This difficulty has been overcome, and the wings are harmonious in their proportions, and coincide with the center, thus not only not detracting from, but really adding to the dignity and grandeur of the whole structure. In addition to the eastern porticos mentioned before, each building has on its west front a portico one hundred and five feet in width, with ten Corinthian columns, and on the north front of one, and the south front of the other, is a portico 121 feet in width, with ten Corinthian columns each. These porticos and columns, and the pilasters, with their richly-carved capitals, relieve the otherwise monotonous appearance of the mass of marble. The windows are an improvement upon those in the old building; over each, in the proper story, is a pediment, agreeing in its angle with the larger pediment, supported by consoles carved in leaves and scroll with remarkable taste and elegance. The entrances are flanked by carved columnar supporters, and the dimensions of the door have been increased to harmonize with the other openings. The wings have, like the center, a rusticated basement, and similar steps and check-blocks leading from the ground. They stand 44 feet distant from the center, and are connected therewith by corridors 26 feet in width, with outside colonnades con BRONZE DOOR. |