Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-07-27
NiRGINIA ARGUS.
AZ dspnte= iamais, "a senpenf ehsenle:
LOCAL.
TIE Capitol, and Tie Capifoi Square.


20 them for repairing the Capitol, and embellish
rs ihe Capitol Square, we are inclined TO think
that sketch OF the principal features of that
.'ian, Cannot fail 10 interest cur readers. We
nave, therefore, attempted such sketch, con.
iessing at the same time, the mferiority Of our
verbal description 10 the elegant and mssterly
dei,neations OF MIR. Godeiroy's pencil.
The Capitol is TO be repaired at first external
iy, and by degrees IN It's interior, alter the de-
Signs of MIR. Godetioy, IN such manner that the
Gothic steps which now disgrace the eOiiiice
viii disappear and be superseded by steps in s:
more regular style, and more coniormabe to the
plan Of The fomors EdItice OF Nismes, called
La NATION Ca'ree, winch has furnished the mo-
del of urCapitol.
The ralTy moul6ngs in the moorish style,
which are seen IN the interior Of the Cupola Will
give place 10 ?Gnnels siuliar to those OF the
beautiful Cupcla of the Pantheon at Rome
Tie ped-ments OF the doors, which have been
cut towards rher summites, from what cause
we are alta loss 10 conjecture] will be completed
at a very small ezpence, and cease 10 wouDd the
eye OF taste by their Go liic appearance
The changes to be effected in the two entries
of he Basenent-story, will totally exclude Il ose
,eceptacies which decency and the majesty of a
capitol equally reprObate, as contrary to the for
rher, and unwUrShy oi The latter.
For The preservation OF The ediice from acct
Tents, sias too common, il is proposed to cover
tie roof with zinc. or with slaie.--We omit the
mention of several other secondary repairs.
Tile Capitol VIII rise on an upper terrace of
tifty feet IN width on rbree sides and one
aundred feet vide on the SIDE of the Portico.
sioHe steps win adorn part of this front, in the
iose ground OF wbi II monument to the illus
,rions Washington may, st no distant Gay, be e.
rected.
belJw this first terrace will be formed Sc.
;ond one, OF a semicircular form, extending on
% Il sides OF the Capitol, in direction parallel
10 those siqcs. Intervening avenues in the shape
Of Il horse-shoe, viii tead down to Bank-street
The !wo lateral ravines viii be made to as
sumo synmetric form by means Of terraces
which on eacn SIDE of their cavities, will insen-
bly, lead To TWO long avenues, shaded with
Preadiny trees, and adorned with three marble
,asns, destined 10 receive the waier afforded by
. springs which the respective situations of the
Two ravinss present; suficiency of water. may
II tic course Of time, be collected to form three
cascades in each OF those avenues.
4 large gate Gone hundred feet wde) upon
rApnol street, VIII open spacious entry into
he Court Yard of the Capitol This will be
ne only entry for garages and horses. Ry this
means, ladies' and children, and such other per-
ons as may wisa 10 ENJOY the benefit OF tran
'uil walk will be flee flora ever, inconvenience
nd danger, and aaye in her power 60 inhale
,'nier ramant'c sbadss, r,lre and fragrant ar,
~e fee b disengaged from :hck clouds Of suffo-
al ng das.
Five other gates Zone Of which will answer
'Ieciseiy TO Tue AXIS of the Capitol, that is TO a
',ne passing through is center,) win open on
BAnk.s.reei. A GA gate viii face 6 stree, where
che latter is ia;erseoted by h street.
The museum will stand at the left ex .reuisy
Is tie square, N the sDg.e OF Bank street, "a
ing street, and At an eqdal distance from a
ne passing through The center OF the Capitol,
,ue space CIV occupied BY The Barracks, will be
eserved to be employed as the Legislature may
afterwards think of t--Inost Prebsbiy, to be ap-
ocppr.s'ed to some public Institution, such as q
Ljblary--or military school, an Exchange &c.
Groves planned II the form oS cr5HcRnces, and
ale, shada by several rows OF trees, will FORM
al around the square :. covered walk, interrupt
ed only ia few places These will give a pleas.
ins ar of symmetry 10 the irregularities of a
spot na'ucliy OF a very unequal and caprici
Gus aspect.
The enclosure Of the whole, so FIR as we are
apprized of the intentions ofthc Executive is 10
consist Of base of stone, of inconsiderabie
height, on which an iron CRATE will be fixed
n such places where the square may not be on 2
iSFSt VIII lr s aCSllt SiFeS.S IS Inconvenience
viii be remodied by means OF slope, formed with.
in the inclosufe, aud covered with turf. This
mode Of enclosure wall obviate the expense oil
w.ils- WHICH, indeed, would give TO The exteri
Or otthesquare The appearance fortified place
and to its interior, that ola cemetery.
a large avenue viii extend from The gate fac.
ing G street, TO the Governors house In Mir
Godefry's Plan,a pyili0n IS laddown, to be
e-ected Oppos1e to q street. at the same distsnct
from the Capitol as the Governors house, Tnis
Pavilion is intended 10 serve as ressrroir- OF
Chateau Gea@, "hich world abundantiy supply
ere city with water. IN tho same edfce, would
Il t,.e same tine be dc,5ot of fire engines, and
o'hor iniplzTen tsF Tie extinction of fire, and
a Gua.d house for ssgtilars, stationed there t.
pr,ect h Cap she public glrdsns &c. Thi.
phvh,qn wouid he suTmouatcd bya lanlhorn ol
seeple, con zii,5 al alarm bell
such are the outlines 81 Mr.. Godeffoy's inEe
NOUS cad u@eiHI pian As @e lately observed
this Pian SURPRISES OFT expectations FOR, al
though we We're no Strangers to MIR GodeffOy'.
experience, Judgment, and mastery abilities
al we bad 10 dea tha hls genus would Sc
quickly mii SO successfully tfiumph over the as
Perltics of scite apparently nconqaerabie, ant
certainly unuacuOie and rebellious in the ex
enc