The daily Gate City., 1856-01-24

20 some scathing attack on himself. then 10
a new, development made by some uneasy
member, and anon he talks to this member
and that, telling them it is all progressing
finely, that there is no chance Of electug any
one but Banks, and an election cannot be
much longer delayed. He looks very much
like my conception of 'rurai" Yankee
singing master, who was unfit for anything
else, and yet the butt Of all the fun-loying
youngsters even in that calling but his ap-
pearance improves on acquaintance.
Col. Webb, Of the New York Courier and
Enquirer, is also here, fine, portly gentle
man, with a large white haired head, and an
expressive, manly face, man Of mark in
any crowd.
have spent the better portion Of my time
in visiting the public buildings and public
institutions since my arrival, and would be
exceedingly gratifed were it in my power to
convey to our readers share of the pleasure
and information have gained in these visits.
1t has been, from some cause or other, rather
fashionable to speak of Washington City
rather disparagingly, and to dwell more upon
the "magnifcent distances and its limited
population than upon It's many magnificent
buildings and the exceeding beauty Of its To-
cation, its public grounds and its fine sur
roundings. Members Of Congress, especial
~ from the West, have seemed to pay special
regard to the nil adnlirari motto of an an
cient tactician, and in order to sustain their
dignity have failed to give expression TO the
admiration they must have felt, lest it might be
thought that they had not been accustomed all
their lives TO marble palaces and courtly halls.
| have not the dignity of Congressman to
support, and have therefore been very free
to give expression to the admiration with
which was filed in beholding the many fine
structures Of the City. And | have been
pleased to learn that my admiration was not
at all misplaced or oyerwrought. For in
speaking Of the Capitol in terms Of the high
est praise, on one occasion Mr.. Sumner ac-
corded most fully with my sentiments, and
remarked in effect that he had seen nothing
ia any of the cities of Europe to cause him
to blush for the Capitol Of his own country.
The Capitol building consists Of main
centre, about $50 feet in length three stories
high, and with a dome rising about $50 feet
from the ground, with two wings, about l20
feet. all of white marble. On the East and1
West sides are immense porticos, with lofty
{ i1rlpf hion polpypnv
cent appearance, combining elegance and
grandeur, such as persons who, like myself.
had never been East Of the mountains. can
form no very accurate conception Of There.
IS now in process of construction and nearly
completed two new wings, one on either side
Of the old, 30 by 40 feet each, to be con-
nected with the old and finished off as one
entire structure.
The Capitol is situated on avery consider
able elevation, ana in the midst of large
area Of some thirty acres, enclosed by an
iron railing. and finely laid out into pleasure
grounds, with ornamental trees, fountains.
ssatues, aud other attractive features calcu-
lated to crafty the taste aud minister 10 the
comfort and entertainment of those who re-
sort there Tor pleasure or recreation.
From the porticocs Of the Capitol one has
fine view Of the entire City including nh
the puyiic buildings, the Potomac, the Arse
nal and Navy Yard, the Nashinton Mona.
ment, and in the distance Georgetown ana
Alexandria. The City Of Washington itself
IS situated on slightly rolling plain Of from
three to four miles in length, and an average
Of some half that distance in width. The
ground rises of IN the distance and presents
an amphitaeatre as perfect and beautiful as
can be found, We venture to say, ey en- in the
lar famed valley of the Mississippi itself.
should be glad to give some idea Of the into
rlor arrangement Of the Capitol, but the truth
n nave but Very imperfect idea mvself. and
cannot as yet manage to find my way either
IN or out of any designated apartment Of i
without guide. The Rotunda, which seems
to be the most Distinguishing feature. is n
circular room OF vast dimensions, probably
lU0 teet IN diameter, and more than that IN
height, occupying the central portion OF the
main bdlldng, Is surrounded with lofty col
umns and ornamented with several very
large and fine historical paintings. South
Of this on the same floor, (the second story. y
and IN the wing, is the hall Of the House of
representatives, which is an immense semi
circular room, entirely surrounded with spa
clous galleries hung with rich drapery, and
with statue of Liberty over the Speakers
ohair' anu line portraitof Washington and
Lafayette on either hand. The Senate
Chamber, which is a much smaller room, but
of similar form, is in the North wing, and
on the same floor. The Supreme Court room,
winch was closed when | callnd at thn DIR