The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-05

80 feet high, and form a portico on the
eastern front of 160 feet round, crowned in
the centre by tympanum, embellished with
a group of >statuary, by John Quincy Ad-
ans, when President of the United States,
and offered by him after forty designs had
been rejected. The Gcnius Of An,erica, n
colossal figure, holds in her right hand m
oval shield, resting lightly on slender al
tar, on the front of which is an oaken
wreath in has relief, with the words "July q,
l77G," within it. Behind her stands a
spear, with a star over her head, which is
turned towards Hope, who gazes on her
with smiling animation, with her left arm
on an anchor, lifts her right exultingly, and
as though predicting the glory of the re-
public. The Genius points with one hand
to her shield and spear, and with the other
to Justice, who, with eyes raised to Hea-
ven, holds in her right hand the Constitu
ton of the United States, and in her left
the ever poised scales Of her office wear
ing neither bandage nor sword, to show that
she is clear sighted, respecting the rights of
all. An eagle Of great beauty, is at the
feet OF the genius, its head raised and it's
wings partly expanded, as if ready for her
command. This group was executed BY
Pcrsico."
omitted TO state i'll the proper place
that the object Of the two additional wings
to the Capitol is two-fold First, to furnish
the Senate, now "cabn'd criLb'd, confin'd,"
in small and inconvcnient apartment, hav-
ing mere apology of gallery for au out
side auditory, with a suitable chamber fur
nlsling ample verge and scope for them
selves, and for their visitors and auditors of
both sexes Second, to furnish the House
OF Representatives with hall, exempt from
the echo, which now rcEdcrs the House
scene of "confusion worse confoun,lc,l"
The plan adopted for this addition to and
enlargement of the Capitol, is that Of Mr..
Walter, ,ofPhiladelpha, and the corner stone
OF the Southern extension, or new Southern
wing, was laid, on the 4,!l July, 1851, in
the presence of President Fillmore and his
Cabinet, and Of an imposing military and
civic array. The masonic implements used
by Washington, at the laying of the orig
'naI Capitol, were again put in rcquisition
on this occasion.
The Library Of the Capitol was a room
ninety-two feet long, thirty-four wide and
thirty-six high, with acovcs and two gale
ries running its whole length. 1t was en-
riched with President Jcierson's valuable
library, of about seven thousand volumes,
purchased by Congress in 1915, for $780,
900, as the basis Of new collection OF
books, after the burning and destruction of
the Capitol, by the British, in 1914; and
numerous additions were made to it, from
time to time, till it reached the large figure
Of about fifty thousand volumes. A con-
siderable portion of these books was de-
stroyed by fire in December, 1852, since
which time, the library room has been re-
modelled and improved, so as to render it
tire-proof, and large number of books has
been purchased, SO that the Congressional
Library is now more extensive and more
valuable than ever.
. copy the following description of the
new Library Room, and of its arrangements
and decorations
"Thc whole work, to the most minute
part, is iron and yet so splendidly is it
painted and gildcd, SO elaborate and fin
ished arc the ornaments, that you can scarce
lv credit the fact. The ceiling, composed
Of immense iron plates, looking like ,nassy
blocks of brown marble panel work, is ar
tistically constructed, SO as TO combine
strength and beauty, in the most perfect
harmony. 1t is the only entire ceiling on
earth. Running through the centre is the
sky-light, which is elegantly ornancnted
with cluster Of stars, numbering some
hundreds, &c. Next are two long gale
rics, (all irony the pillars, the lattice work,
the balustrade, tho trusses, the scrolls, the
floors, the shelves, the alcoves and the steps.
The books arc well arranged, and eve
ry attention is paid to those who may de-
sire to avail themselves Of its advantages.
"The library is open daily, Sundays ex-
/ ceptcd, during the Session of Congress,
from nine to three, and ilt the absence of
Congress, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays, during the same hours. The
privilege of taking books from the library
is restricted to members of Congress, and
the higher officers Of the General Govern
| ment."
| In the basement Of the old North wing
of the Capitol is the Supreme Court Room
Of the y nited States, where Jay, Ellsworth,
Marshall and Taney have successfully pre-
sided saS Chief Justices, and where VIM
Pink1sy, Witt Webster and Legare, and
numerous other Jurists and ornaments of
the legal profession, were won't to instruct
and electrify their auditors with the pro.
foundest efforts Hof legal learning and the
noblest bursts Of forensic ,eloauehce.. ~
have 80 far exceeded my intended Inns
its, that l must here curb my epistolary