The Nevada Democrat., 1857-10-07
The New National CapitOl-statuary
Decorations, &c.

Decorations, &c.
A correspondent gives the following interest
ing account of sights in and about the Capitol
at Washington:
Without commerce, without manufactures,
with little internal trade, this city is advancing
with life and rapidity in population and resour-
ces. 1t will in few years contain one hundred
thousand people, there being now upwards Of
sixty thousand. There is said in Berkshire
county to be little lake or pond, which by the
altitude of its waters shows the altitude of the
wells in town, being regarded as standard
Thermometer, or rather bdthomefer. Now, like
that lake is Washington. Its condition and ad-
vance indicate those of the country.
Look at the enormous extension OF the Capt.
| tol, on that commanding hill. See with what
expedition our people have torn down the once
celebrated dome Of Latrebe, in place of which
the architect Walter is now erecting magnid-
cent structure, to cost one million of dollars,
enough to build hundred good churches
Seventy-two iron brackets, each weighing three
tons, have been elevated by steam power TO form
the base of the new dome, which is to be Of ex-
traordinary magniGcence and will be visible for
miles in every directiOn-for fifteen or twenty
miles down the Potomac.
For acres around the Capitol may be seen
masses Of marble aud granite. chiefly the former,
some from Berkshire, some from Italy, and from
wherever the finest and most suitable material
could be procured Yet even around the flow
ing and fabulous wealth of the United States
Treasury, some contractors look out for the pen
nies, If not for the government, for themselves.
Think of importing marble from Italy, because
the polished material can be obtained more
cheaply theDce Italian labor is far more cheap
than American labor-hence Italians keep the
statuary field, and fill all the ornamental offices.
| They may be seen like bees sticking to the in-
side and outside of the Capitol, industriously at
work. They are executing system of decora-
tions for the interior of the Capitol, SO gorge
Gus, symbolical and impressive, that an untrav-
eled visitor to the city will wonder If he is in
the capitol city of his simple republican country,
whose President cannot, in his outward aspect
be distinguished from any thoughtful, natural
or moral philosopher, who muses. along the
streets, or perchance from some deeply cravat.
ted Presbyterian divine.
The large futed columns that go into the
structure of the dome may be seen lying in for.
midable rows on the ground soon to be erected
in their places, and to set off the fine proper
tions Of the structure.
About this building fourteen hundred men
are constantly at work. under regimen ofal-
most military strictness for the head of the
concern is Captain Meiggs, an army engineer,
who has the roll called every morning, and reg
committee rooms will be as sumptuous in their
appointments as lady's boudoir. Mosaic
floors glitter in every direction, and the whole
region of classic mythology has been ransacked
for symbolic contributions to make up set of
ideas corresponding TO the facts of our history
and policy,
On every side we are bewildered with gods
and godesses. muses. and the graces, fawns,
nymphs and dryads. Mars frowns, with his
giant hand on his sword Neptune grasps his
trident, with which he shakes land and sea-
Minerva presides over the arts. Venus is radi.
ant with love and beauty. Ceres solemnly holds
her cornucopa. And from yonder ceiling all
the seasons at once are pouring out their picto-
rial treasures.
But the most beautiful, solid and enduring
memorials are those of Crawford, the sculptor,
who designed some excellent statues some of
which are tinished on the marble blocks of 9TH
ers the wOrkmen are now engaged The genius
of America, wrapped in her starry mantle, is
eloquent of the past, and prophetic Of the future
The Mechanic. an humble subject, less brilliant
than the stern hero, less attractive than the
soft beauty, is finely represented. This statue
honOrs industry, and indicates one Of the lead
ing sources OF prosperity to our beloved land
The American Youth is also done In stone.
And not to lavish everything on war, glory,
and the arts of destruction, Education has her
statuette, and by that we must thrive.
The halls of Congress will be superb. Great
themes are yet to be discussed there-great
talents to be developed, and great and bene6-
cent results produced, we may hope, for our
country and the world.