Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-19
Th. CapltoI al WashIngton.

This grandIy designed structure has had
the additional wings attached to it, and a
lofty dome is now surmOunting the place OF
the old one and is to be elevated three hun
dred feet above the base Of the building,
while its summit will be crowned by beau
tiful decentralization Of Freedom, to be execu-
ted in bronze from a model by the late cele'
brated sculptor Crawford.
The wings of the building are about to
receive their pedlments, ADD, fortunately,
CrawfJrd's sculpture for one ot them is com.
peted and at Washington. y pair OF bronze
doJrs, by the same artist, will grace one Of
the grand entrances, aud ROgers's doors IL
Illustrating the history Of Columbus, Will &C
cupy the other; a third pair Of doors viii
probably fill the centre entrance. 1t Is to
the honor Of America that the exquisite
adornmeut OF bronze artistic doors are again
brought Into reQuisitoo Tor the first time
since the days Of Lorenzo, GnIbertl, and
John OF Bologna.
The interior OF the wings have we'll form
ed rooms for pictorial decoration, with vault
ed ceilings, III which trescues may be seen
accompanied with arabesques. The Agrl-
cultural Committee Room, tor example, has
the appropriate suGj cts Of CIncinnaJus aud
Putaan, each Leaving the plough Tor the
sword and service u their country. Ibe
War department is decorated with trescOeS
Of the battle of l. xiugtOu and death Ct Gea.
Worcester. These are the second real Tres
Goes painted in the United States. Tue tres-
Goes of the Capitol are by Sig. Bromldl and
very effective ut a distance, and IOssess deli
cacy OF tint. He has been ably assisted IN
the ornamental part by Mr.. Leslie and others.
The Hall OF Congress, though now Occu'
pied by its members, is far from complexion
but bids fair t. be one OF the grandest halls
of modern times, if the conception OF the
protector is only carried into execution
he present effect may be compared to see
Ing a splendId frame without the master
piece OF art il il 10 aIorn; and the hail must
therefore be CONSIDERED is ~ what 1t Will be
rather than what 1t is. The style Is Italian
Of the 10th century; It's Dimensions are
large ana ample and 80 constructed as to be
perfect 10 tue important matter OF acoustics.
The ceiling IL o! iron, enriched with
moudings and ornaments glIded alter the
manner of the CID halls Of l,aly; the cOrnice
is very bold, with pendants Of rather too
baroque style The panels, which are now
painted in oil with honeysuckle ornament,
will probably be replaced some future time
by medaIlions of figures on blue and scarlet
grounds, which would relieve admirably
against the foe giIIed framework. The
hight is made to descend from Tat sky -Ilght
OF ground glass panels, ornamented WITH the
10,
adapted for Illuminating the body Of the
hall. The cycle Of historical subjects, pain
ted in highly finished ireScoes, will occupy
the present empty panels, which now injure
the effect of the ball. When completed, the
eye will be attracted by the inspiring patrlV,
TIC subjects displayed around tae walls and
in the inches in paintings and stulp ture, and
the now gorgeous ceiling will then take Its
proper place as secondary 10 art and the
whole be harmOnzei-Nm. Int.