The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-07-30

The National Capital--Statuary,
81 Decorations, &C. SC, Fass4


81 Decorations, &C. sc, s1ss4 8
A correspondent gives the following inte-
resting account of sights in and about the Cap
itol at Washington: y
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 l00,-
600 people, there being now upwards of 60, 900,
There is said in Berkshire county, to be lit.
tie lake or pond, which by the altitude OF it's
wa.e shows the altitude of the wells in Gown,
being regarded as a standard thermometer, or
rather bathometsr. Now, like that lake is
Washington. It's condition and advance inai-
cate those Of the country.
Look al the enormous extension of the Cap
itol on that commanding hin. See with what
expedition our people have torn down the
once celebrated dome Of Lstrobe, in place of
which the architect Walter Is now erecting
magnificent structure, to cost one million of
dollars, enough to build hundred good church,
rs. Seventy-two iron brackets, each weigh
ing three tons, have been elevated by steam
power to form the base Of the new dome. which
is to be of extraordinary magnifcence, and
will be visible for many miles In every direc-.
ton, for fifteen or twenty miles down the Pa
tomac. ~ tsa .aanssf #Htt ae53 ssseli zFD1 ~
For acres around the Capitol, may be seen
masses of marble and granite, chiefly the for
ner, some from Berkshire, some from Italy,
aud from wherever the finest and most suita-
BILE material could be procured. =. Yet even
around the flowing and fabulous wealth Of the
U ,ited States TT asmy, some contract to.s
look out for the pennies, if not for the Govern
ment, for themselves. Think Of importing
marble from Italy, because the polished mate
rial can be obtained more cheaplv thence!
Italian labor is far more cheap than American
labor-hence the Italians keep the statnary
field, and fill all the ornamental Offices. They
may be seen like bees sticking to the inside and
outside of the Capitol, indnstriously at work.
They are erecting system of decorations for
the Inferior of the Capitol, SO gorgeous, sym
b,,lical, and impressive. that an untravel!ed
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
De distinguished from any thoughtful, natural,
or moral philosopher, who muses. along the
streets or perchance from some deeply cravat
ted Presbyterian divine.
sAbtut the building AGO men are constant
ly at work, under regiment of almost militia
ry strictness, for the head of the concern is
Capt. Meigs. an army engineer, who has the
roll called every morning, and regulates all
other matters accordingly. The very Commit
tee rooms will be as sumptuous in their ap-
appointments as lady's boudoir. Mosaic
floors glitter in every direction, and the whole
region of classic mythology has been ram
sacked for symboIical contributions to make
up set Of ideas corresponding to the facts of
our history and policy. @ '.' =" s-s
On every side we are bewildered with gods
and goddesscs, muses. aid the graces fauns
nymphs, ,.aiid dryads. Mars frowrs with his
giant liand on his sword Neptune grasps his
trident, with which he shakes land and sea-
Minerva presides over the arts. Venus is IA
diant with love and beauty. Ceres solemly
holds her cornucopia. And from yender
ceiling all the seasons at once are pouring cut
their pictorial treasures. t9..'
But the most beautiful, solid, and enduring
memorials are those Of Crawford, the sculptor,
who designed some exquisite statues, some Of
which are finished; on the marble blocks of
others, the workman are now engaged. The
Genius Of America, wrapped in her starry
mantle, is eloquent of tn. past, and prophetic
of the future. The Mechsnic, an humble SUBJ
ject, less brilliant than the stern hero, less at
tractive than the soft beauty, is finely repre-
sented. This s:atne honors industry, and indi-
Gates one of the leading sources of prosperity
to our beloved land. The American YOUTH is
also done in stone. And not to lavish every
thing on war, glory, andsthe aIts Of 'destruc-
ton, Education has her statuette, and by that
we must thrive. rsa se s.neay aas-AF
The Halls of Congress will be superb. Great
themes are yet to be discussed thcre-great
talents to be DEVELOPED, and great and benefcsn.
results produced, we may hope for our coun-
try and the woild.Vf stafss aFss.asa sHtyaN
= We are sorry to see, in this connection, q
statement made that the Architects Of the New
Capital have just discovered that the Rotunda
walls are too weak to bear the new iron dome.
Its construction will therefore be suspended;
ard the immense expenditure already incurred
will be !ost.s Strengthening the walls sufi-
ciently, involves nearly the removal and re-
newal OF the old Capitol Building. z,4srieq