The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-02-06
Correspondents of the Ashland UniOn.l
Pencil Sketches in Washington. No. 5
WAsnINeroN ClrY. Feb.l l. 1856.


ness, the Senate and House of Represen-
t~atives, in former communications, 1
now propose to describe the Capitol.
The plan of Washington City, has been
much criticised by American, as we'll as
Foreign writer's. The vast amount of
space occupied by the city plat, togeth-
er with the great width of its streets,
have been much ridiculed. 1t is true
that it occupies space enough to accom-
modate eight hundred thousand or a
million of inhabitants, and that except
on Pennsylvania Avenue, the city is
sparsely settled yet its rapid growth
within a few years is evidence of the
wise forecaste of its founders in making
ample room for a great city. It's broad
streets and splendid avenues, branching
put from the Capitol buildings and the
White House, give it advantages which
no other American city possesses. The
streets are all ornamented with fine
young trees, which add much to the
beauty and taste of the city. l have
often stood at the west side of the Cap
itol building and looked down upon the
splendid scene stretched out before me.
The compact range of buildings OF Penn
s~ylvania avenue-the Smithsonian In
stitution-the Treasury buildings-the
Post Office Department-the Patent
Office, and the Presidents House, in
the distance, all loom up before the
spectator, and impress him with the
grandeur of the prospect.
The grounds surrounding the Capitol
and the Presidents House arc highly
ornamented with trees and elegantly
planned walks, winding ia every direc-
ton, with occasionally a rustic seat for
tho prnmenader to rest his wearied
limbs.
The Presidents House is a plain,
white building, with columns on the
north and south sides, and occupies a
commanding view of the Washington
Monument-the Potomac-the Smith
sonian Institution-the Treasury build
ings, and the Capitol, from which it is
about one mile distant. Though plain
building, and falling far short of the
grandeur, massiveness and ornate finish
of European Capitols, it is sufficiently
elegant for Republican simplicity and
manners.
The Capitol is a fine building, from
whose Sobe-like dome you can see all
over the Ristrictof Columbia; and when
the wings Of the extension are fully oOm-
pleted will rial in grandeur the proud
est Capitol Europe; and we trust
that oWGNaM0nal counsels will continue
to be conducted beneath its ample roof
with dignity and wisdom.
The Patent Omce-the Post Office,
when fnished-the Treasury building,
when the new colorado is completed
and the projected Navy Department,
will all add largely to the beauty and
imposing appearance of the National
Capitol in the future. The ~Smithsoni-
an Institution is also an elegant build
ing and surrounded with very handsome
grounds, which are ornamented with fine
evergreen and other young trees.
For statuary, Washington evidently
falls far behind European Capitols.
There are, however, some elegant pro-
ductions OF Art to be seen here. GREE
NoUGu's Washington, placed in the open
grounds. on the east side of the Capitol.
upon a square base, with bare arms and
uncovered shoulders-with a Roman to-
ga swung loosely around his body-san-
dals upon. his feet-a sheathed sword in
bis left hand, while his right points to-
ward the heavens-is a good specimen
of sculpture and a fair likeness of the
immortal Father of his Country-yet,
not a good representation of an Ameri-
can and American costume.
The Jackson Statue, in bronze, by
the great American Artist. Nuts, is a
work of surprising beauty. 1t defes
the cold criticisms of European travel
lers, and what is calculated to make eE-
cry American lover of the Fine Arts
still prouder, EFFORTS cncomiums from
all who behold it. Its conception was
bold and original, and perfectly exccu-
ted. In beholding the proud steed ele-
waited upon his hind feet, as if making
an effort for a tremendous bound for
ward, with the hero of New Orleans
astride his back, seeming to possess from
every lineament of his co~untenance all
the passion aud determination when alive,
almost compels the beholder to believe
that the old hero is about TO dash at
the enemy. This work is said to excel
that of Peter the Great, which was sup
ported in it's upright position by the
winding folds of a serpent which was be-
ing crushed. This work is situated in
front of the Presidents House, in full
view.
There are also a number of ine spe-
cimens of statuary upon the eastern por-
tico of the Capitol-War and Peace,
The Conquest of Civilization, The Dis
covcry of America, by Columbus. &C.,
all good Of their kind,
The paintings in the Rotunda, for VIC
have no National Gallery, arc chiefly