Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-08-21

table spot Ineed scarcely remark, is in the second
story Of the South wing. 1t is scmi-circular in
form the chord of the largest dimension being
96 feet, and the highest point Of the ceiling, Go
feet. In the centre of the chord connecting the
points Of the scmicircle is the Chair of the Speak
er, raised above the floor anl cauoped and high
above it, under an arch, is colossal statue OF
Liberty, by IN Italian artist, Causici and noIle
figure of the American Eagle, just ready to fly
Behind the chair, and of course facing the men,
bcrs seats, is the Ladies Gallery and in front of
the Speaker, following the semi-circular line of
the Hall, is the Gallery for 'the rest of mankind"
In front of the latter named Gallery, and very
much i'll ones way, are 1t massive columns of
dark and varicgatcd Potomac marble, surmounted
by capitals of white Italian marble. The dome is
beautifully painted in imitation, it is said, of the
Pantheon Of Rome. The members tables, are
arrayed, down below, in manner corresponding
with the sem-circular shape of the hall. In front
Of the Speakers Chair, Immediately over the main
entrance, is marble statue of History, in wing
ed car the wheel of which is made to serve the
purpose of the clockdial. The Republicans are
seated on the right of the main aisle asyou enter;
and the Representatives of the democracy on the
left. 1t is q somewhat suggestive fact, though of
course it is accidental, that while the statue Of
History is turned, sadly imagine, to the right,
and appears in the act of recording the fearful
events that have their origin there that of Liberty
looks hopefully, fancy, and with outstretched
arm points steadily and calmly to the left while
the obleeagle upon which she is supported stands
ready for the wing. Though in itselfa trivial and
unmeaning circumstance, the events of to-day
give it significance which is striking. Wellmay
she appeal to the Democracy, now; and if the ap-
peal be vain, well may the strong and valiant bird
bear her away in fight to another and more con-
genial cline. Leaving the Hall of Representa-.
tiyes for time, for we purpose to visit it when
the House is in session, let us make our way
through the Rotunda, to the Senate Chamber.
After passing through the North entrance, We
must wind around n half dozen passages, knock at
and run through dozen doors, and make our
selves miserable for half.hour, more or less at
the end ofjust such probation VIC shall probably
happen upon n door leading to q stairway, over
which is printed "Lade's Gallery: If fsuch be the
case, inasmuch as it is both gallant and safe, we
shall enter, and winding arouud awhile we shall
presently with good luck find ourselves looking
downupon the far-famcd Chamber of the Senate
in form exactly resembling the Hall of Represen-
tatives, differing only in size. Here the ladies'
gallery, following the semicircular shapes Of the
Chamber, takes the place which in the House is
occupied by the opposite sex, and rice rsrsa 1t
is seventy five feet Ing and forty-fve high
utterly devoid of ornaments, if we except tie
scene of Ionic columns supporting the gallery be.
hind the Presidents chair,'a an admirable ror-
trait of Washington, by Peale, over the Chair
In the area, the Senators sit in a semi-circlar
form, as in the house, each however, with sepa-
rate mahoganydcsk The furnishing of the Cham
bcr, and indeed Of the House is miscrably ordina-
ry, and out of keeping Indeed, though there Is
that in both to recall the glorious and soul.inspir.
ing recolections of the past, one cannot but be
disappointed and chagrined by their seedy and d.
apidated appearance. The halls in the "old-barn'
in Columbia arc not one whit uglier-just as res,
pcctable. However, the place for the new rooms
in the wings now in progress of erection, console
us with the promise that, when they are compile
ted, our Congress will have Halls in far bette,
keeping with the character, the wealth, power and
dignity of aur people.
In the western projection of the Capitol, on thu
same flow, is the principal Library room, whicl
is constructed entirely of iron, but SO elaboratcly
and splendidly painted and gilded, adorned and
finished, MS to produce any other impression On
the bcholder. l can give you no idea of the ex.
quisite finish Of this apartmcnt-it far excclls
anything of the kind have ever seen, and makes
one believe himself in the very fairy-palace. The
Library originally built was burned in 1914. After
the war it was again completed, and was occupi-
ed mainly by Mr.. Jeffersons' private collection
purchased by order of Congress. The collection
was from time to time enlarged until 1851 when,
YOU remember, it was much mutilated and the
room consumed by fire. The present beautiful
apartment, has grown out of the last fire, and its
alcovcs now enriched with 60, 900 bound volumes,
many of which are of the rarest value. 1t is un-
surpassed, in the number and value ofthe volumes,
by any Library in tLis country, save the Astor in
New York, and that of Howard; and will in few
years own no superior. In the collection ore many
curious books, to speak of which would max" your
pages m almost interminable catalogue; and
shall only mention the quaint copies of the ''Lon-
don Gazette" from 1865 to 1876, period of 175
years.
In front of the Library, is portico, or rather a
sort of recess with twelve Corintlian columns,
from which the spectatorcan obtain the finest view
to be had of the City Of Washington. To describe
this as saw it, just at the setting of the sun, de-
mands more of words than my almost exhausted
vocabulary will afford. have enjoyed the view
of the James River, at Richmond; of the bustling
city and magnificent bay Of New York from Trini.
ty of the sedate and sober city of "Brotherly
Love-" from old Independence Hall but the view
towards the West from the Capitol with its pano.
rama of quiet serene yet animated life, surpasses
all in its peculiar and charming beauty. Far down
to the South, on the banks of the Potomac, which
winds calmly through the scene, we behold the
ancient town of Alexandria; nearer, Fort Wash
ington, the Arsenal and the Asylum in front, the
Smithsonian Institute, with its quaint Norman
towers, and the Washington monument already
marking the horizon, and in the background, hill
and dale forest. plain and park, mingling, in the