Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-29
THE NEW NATIONAL CAPITOL-STAT-
UANY. 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 re-
sources 1t will in few years contain 100, 900
people, there being now upwards Of 10000
There is said in Berkshire county to be a little
lake or pond. which by the altitude Of its waters
shows the altitude Of the wells in town. being
regarded a. a standard thermometer ,or rather
b1fh0MeteT. Now like that lake is Washington
Its condition and advance Indicate those of the
country.
Look at the enormous extension of the Capi-
tol on that commanding hill. See with what
expedition our people have torn down the once
celebrated dome of LatrObe, in place of which
the architect Walter il now erecting a magnif-
cent structure, to cost one million Of dollars
enough to build an 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 cx-
tTdOrdilaTy magniticence. and will be visible for
miles in every directiOn-for fifteen or twenty
miles down the Potomac.
For acres around the Capitol NAV be seen
masses OF marble and granite, chiefly the for
mer. some from Berkshire. some from Italy and
from wherever the finest and most suitable ma
tcrlal could be procured. Yet even around the
flowing and fabulous wealth of the United
States Treasury, some contractors look out for
the pennies, ii not for the Government for
themselves. Think of importing marble from
Italy, because the polished materia! can be OBJ
tanned more cheaply thence italian labor is
far more cheap than American labOr-hence
Italians keep the statuary field, and ill all the
ornamental offices. They may be seen like bees
sticking to the inside and outside of the Capi-
tUl, lndustrlOusly ut work. They are executing
n system of decorations for the interior of the
IL.
sIve, that an untraveled visitor to the city will
wonder II he IL 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 cravdtted Presbyterian divine.
The large hIted columns that 90 into the
structure Of the dome may be seen lying in for
midahle rOws on the ground, soon to be erected
IN their places, and to set off the fine prepara-
ton. OF the structure
About this building 400 men are constantly
at work, under regiment of almost military
strictnesS, for the head Of the concern is Capt.
Melgs, an army engineer, who has the roll
called every morning and regulates all other
matters accordingly. The very committee
rooms will be sumptuOus in their appoint
nents ~ lady 5 bOudOir Mosaic floors gilt
ter in every direction, and the whole region of
classic mythology has been ransacked for sym
bOllcal contributions 20 make up set OF ideas
corresponding TO the facts Of our history anl
Policy
On every side we are bewilderei with gods
and gOdeSse5, muses. and the graces fauns,
nymphs, and dryads. Mars fro8ns 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 ra-
diant with love and beauty. Ceres Solemnly
holds her eOrnucOpia. And from yOnder ceiling
all the seasons at once are pouring out their
pictorial treasures.
But the most beautiful, solid, and enduring
memorials are those Of Crawford. the sculptor,
who designed some exquisite statues, some of
which finished; the marble blocks of
others, the wOrkmen now engaged. The
Genius Of America, wrapped in her starry man
tie, ls 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. IL finely represented.
This statue hOnors industry, and indicates one
Ot the leading sources Of prosperity to our be-
loved land. The American Youth is also done
III stone And not to lavish every thing 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 be developed, and great and be-
nehcent results produced, we may hope, for our
country and the world.