The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-04
THE CAPITOL AT WASHING

The following description of this magni-
ficent building, from the columns ofthe Sun
day School Journal will be read with inter
est.
"The Capitol is probably the most splen
did building of the kind in the world. 1t is
built of stone and painted white. In the
centre is vast circular hall, 100 feet in di
a:neter, called the Rotunda In the nor
thern end, besides many smaller rooms for
committees. Sc, is the Senate Chamber,
and under it the Hall where the United
States Court holds its sessC ms. In front
ofthe Rotunda and over the vestibule of the
western front, is the library of CJngress,
with its 10000 volumes, including many val
uble works ofliterature; whilst in the south
ern end is the House of Representatives.
Hall.
The chambers of the Senate and Repre-
sentatives are very beautifully fitted up; each
member has his own desk. and the walls are
tastefully adorned. The columns of the lat
ter, made of peculiar kind of marble OBJ
rlined near the potomac, above the city. !
believe, are very beautiful. They appear
as if they were composed of an infinite num-
Der ofsuall stones, of a great variety ofcol-
ors, and all susceptible of the finest polish.
The Rotunda, which is surrounded by a
splendid dome, is ornamented with four
grand paintings, made by Col. Trumbull.
They represent the Declaration of indie
pendence, the surrender of Burgoyne, the
surrender of CORVALLIS, and General Wash
j Igto1 resgning his commission to Congress,
at Annapolis. There are several basso-re-
lief scenes above the four entrances 10 this
Rotunda, representing events in the early
history of our county. Spaces remain for
four more large paintings, which will some
day or other be occupied.
On the west front of the Capitol, and Il
few feet from the foot of the flight of the
steps which lead up TO the vestibule, is a ma
val monument 10 the memory of w ellsworth
Somers, and others who were killed in the
Tripoljtan war. But it was a sad want of
taste which led to the placing of that InOnu-
ment there, especially to have it surrounded
by small and deep basin of waiter.
The grounds mound the Capital are now
beautifa " adorned with shrubtery and
small forest trees. Ii is altogether a most
enchanting place The view is fine from
the east portico over the large and elegantly
laid out yards on that side, whilst that on
the west side which carries the eye over the
,.ity of w ashington in that direction, and es-
nac;slIy along the Pennsylvania Avenue ex.
cceds ANYTHING of the kind that have ev.
err seen.
The cost ofthis immense building, with all
its furniture, library, &c, including the ex-
penditure in improving the grounds around,
and inclosing them with high irou fence,
has exceeded if mistake not, the sum of
three millions of dollars.
But interesting as this building is in itself,
it ceases to be an object of regard when com
pared with what it contains. Here assem-
Lles every year, those bodies of men upon
whose deibera tons not only the happiness
of miliicn' of our fellow-citzens, but also the
hopes the world. as regards the success
of our grand experiment, TO determine wheth
er men will be governed by republican insti
tutIons. Probably there was never a collect
ton of men on the earth in legislative and
judicial bodies which embraced as much tai
ent as is to he found in this Capitol