The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1839-04-04
RALEIGH, n. G, a5ll Of March. Issg

Mr.. l.EaAY.
Dear sir: Agrceably 10 your desire. ]
send You \ description nf The external
and internal details Of the various parts
of the Stale Capitol IS The same is exc
cuied.
The length from nnrth 10 south il leo
feel. and IRON esss 10 west 40 feeii the
Whole height j. OF feet. The columns
Of east and west portlrns are eight in
number, aud are Il. q in. in diameter
and 30 irei high. standing m = sIylohaie,
Is feet high. which, as well as the enta-
blstnre. which is Twelve feet high. are
continued round the building; and The
details are nj the Temple 81 Minerva,
commonly called the psr,henon. which
was erecied in line Arcropolis nf Athens,
under the government of Pericles, about
500 years before the Christian era. The
Roiunda. in centre Of Capitol. Is formed
inin an Octsgon al top, which j. built Of
polished granite. and surmounis The build.
ing. ornamenied with Grecian cornice;
and lis dome is crowned al top with .
decoration similar TO that OF the Lanthorn
uf Demnsihenes, al Athens.
The interior Of the Capitol il divided
into three stnries. The basement con-
sis,s Of ten rooms, eight Of which will be
soon occupied by the Governor, Secreia-
ny. Treasurer and Comptroller. each hsv-
ing two rooms Of the same size and finish;
which. a. veil as the corridors, are Of
the Roman Doric, aud made completely
fire proof. by arches springing from pill
lars and pilas,ers OF polished granite.
The east and west veslibules are richly
decorated with granite columns, anlas
and siaircases; all Of polished granite. CO.
pied from the Ionic Temple Of the Ills
sus, near Athens. Also. two committee
rooms.
| The second or principal story. consists
also Of len rooms; two u which are ap-
prnprialed for The Senatorial chamber and
Hall OF Representatives. which are 3s H.
in. in height. having galleries. and ibeii
walls are contained in areas Of the SAINT
size. 50 Il. BY 55a n. having retiring
rooms taken of The corners---luur in lh,
former and two in The latter. They, al
well as Botunda and yestibules. are re
spectively Of the 0cssgnn Tower Of An
dronicus Cyrrhestes, Of the Temples q
I Erectheus. Minerva, Polias and Psndro
sus. in the Acropolis of Athens, near III
Par,henon. The other rooms in hi
floor ore appropriated for committe'
rooms.
The third, or attic story, consists o
the Supreme Court and Library, whicl
are situated in Tho east and west wings
which, as we'll as the galleries and uthe
apartments. will be approached by grant
l steps; and the Hobbies and rotunda areli
! with cupolas; the whole OF which, yoI
will observe. is in progressive state q
completeness as 10 be ready for III
E next meeting of the Legislature.
Before concluding, may remark sha
the stone with which this etitice is con
structed is Of the toughest and harde:
. description. containing less iron than an
= stone have ever seen: hence il present
a beautiful cream color, of much warm
: er tin, than marble. IL is also variegate
with beautiful veins Of quartz. the cor
u formation of which deserves notice. ha'
!. ing every appearance Of being separate
i and again knit by some trembling or cor
cussion in its formations; and from III
circumstance of no peGifaclion being a
n yet discovered, whether of the ANNA
e vegetable or mineral kingdoms, geolt
gists would term il q primitive. il not
: transition formation; and with regard I
u the cost Of The Capitol, | may menuo
!. that the Legislature appropriated $500
|. 800. The Presidents house cost, with
!. out furniture. s665. 527. and the FEEDER;
Capitol 81. 500. 500; both Of which build
ings have to be repeatedly painted at
g cost Of upwards Of $4,000; and this ha
!, To be done to prevent tho disin,eera,io
of The s.one-ihey being built Of soft
loose. lriable, and porous sandstone.
am, dear sir, yours respectfully,