The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12

Our Washangtsn OorrssPondsncs.
WASHINGTON. july 8. l8

Grounds at the Capitol-Ineident' Of the pis'-
ters-A Cicerons- Interesting Description Of
Parts Of the Capitol-Statuary and Paintings-
Jefersom's american Order of Architecture
Rhetorical h,cidents- The President Goo. Bro,cn,
&C., &c.
An unusual number of visters and travellers
are row in Washington. The Capitol was
visited by large crowds to-day and the Ro-
tunds wore as gay and as lively an appearance
as if we were again in the height of
the winter carnival. A bevy Of beauty and fashion
was there gazing upon the paintings and statuary,
radating from the centre and extending to the
largest circumference of sweeping silks to the plain
and vastly more genteel simple skrted ginghams OF
the country lasses. was frequently annoyed by
persons who approached my desk to make inquiries
how to find their way to different parts OF the Capt.
tol, and equally amused with the character OF the
persons and the manner in which they addressed me-
lis this the way to the House, sir, II you pleaseF
asked a jolly looking red faced piece of importance
steaming it in kids, with an immense shirt co!ar
and ruis out of which the perspiratlon was taxing
the starch very rapidly, aided by an immense hoop
ed and jewelled old dowager, who hung upon MS 1,
arm. "Ah, which Is the way to the senate, SIT
drawled Calvin Edison specimen OF dandyism, ran
ming bis almost fainting Arabella as ne stopped Ior
an instant to ask the question white cravateo,
said, portly looking man, with Mrs. Darlington and
her daughter Julianna wanted me to be $50 KIND as
to direct them to the library" Next entered an old
country farmer, with his two buxom daughters,
attended by q couple OF raw gawkies ,I
is the House." said one Of the latter, confident
ly. "No it isn't, sharply replied one OF the Hebes,
'sfor thar is no crimson silk cushioned seats, nor
gold about it." at must be the old House, SAID the
other bright eyed lassie, gazing up az the ecu
ing while her blue scarf fell back from the sholders
OF her low Bingham dress showing really beautiiul
neck. 'Ask that gentleman, Pa, where the new
House is Discontinued in low, simpering voice. as
abe approached the old man. "Mought make
free, sir, to ak you where's the new House Oh rep
resentatives," asked he very deterentlaly: Ger
tainly,r replied; "pass around the Speakers chair,
there and YOU will see passage which will lead you
directly to it," And the party went of on their voy
"e was about 10 resume some Congressional calcula-
tions which was making relative to the present pay
of members, and which l intended sending you TO-
day, when another party of ladies and gentlemen
YOU . said dark eyed bewitching looking coquette
'Wil YOU be good enough, sir, to show us, or tell us
where we can find the room OF the Com
mttee on Agriculture OF the House. we
want to look at the ffesco painting, Sir, "
asked middle aged bachelor looking gentleman,
while at the same time, the dark eyed beauty look.
ed as much as to say, "refuse if you dare Tired
of the frequent interruptions, determined to humor
the party and act their ccerone So smiling bland
ly, put up my papers, and consented to act as
their guide, the pretty cicaiierd asking me immune
rable questions. Winding our way through the pas
sages, we descended to the southeast corner a. the
new house wing of the Capitol, to the room OF the
Committee on Agriculture, and on sending messen-
ger for the key we obtained admittance. l imme-
dately commenced the duties OF my new ONCE
"The facing painting, ladies' said represents Put
nam at the plough receiving the news of the out
break of the Revolution, and men hurrylng to arms
The picture over the door Cincinnatus at the plough
receiving the offer Of dictatorship from the Roman
Senate. The little child at the SIDE was taken ior
~ Iof Davi
represented McCormck's reaping machine IN
wheat field. The paintings on the ceiling represent
the four seasons" Passing ont, next showed them
the miniature model of the Capitol when finished,
and the statuary to be placed in the architrave
of each wing of the Capitol We then went 10
the new Senate chamber in the north wing, which
was very much admired, and visited the Court
of Claims and the various Senate committee
rooms--some of which are magnihcently decorated.
Returning to the basement of the main building, we
entered the room Of the Supreme Court OF the
United States. This portion OF the basement con-
tains the original order of American architecture as
designed by Thomas Jefierson-the pillars being In
the form of shock of corn-the stalks forming the
pillar and the ears of cornthe cap There are tens
of thousands of citizens who are ignorant OF this
fact, and but few who have visited Washington
know that Jefferson instituted an orgnal order Oh
American architecture. We then assembled 10 the
old Senate chamber where pointed out the seats OF
CLAY Calhoun, Webster, Benton, Clayton, and other
great statesmen. Summers seat was examined with
great curiosity; end while the ladies sat In those OF
the Vice President and others, they seemed to have
dread Of that OF the political fanatic Passing ont
10 the rotunda the ladies admired greatly the bust
Of Pulaski, by sculptor Saunders, who Is finishing
fine bust of Mr. Stephens, Of Georgia The national
paintings were also generally admired
In the four inches of the rotunda are representa-
lions I'M plaster, of American Indian history, exc
cuted by an italian artist. On one occasion a
member of Congress, In speaking on the Indian APP
preparation BILL thus described these pieces OF statu
airy. "Sr" said he, Gin the rotunda OF the Capitol
is told the history of the white mans ngrattude to
the Indian, and the wrongs suffered ut his hands,
In the east you see the landing OF the wh,e man on
the shores Of America, and the Indian greeting him
with hospitality and friendship by oiierlng MIN an
ear Of corn. In the north you zee the white man,
William Penn. making treaty with the Indian, and
cheating him out OF his lands. In the west you see
the Indian girl Pocohontas throwing herself be-
the heroism OF brave, to save his
life. And what Is the last scene in this drama
that is pictured to you in the SOUTH You see
the frontier white man In conflict with the INDIAN
while on the ground lies the corpse Of crouching
FORM pierced by two bullets the white man even be-
grudging the poor Indian ground enough TO stretch
his body upon."
Tertiary where the books are all imprisoned; iron
gates and ratings preventing persons from having
free access to the books. On the balcony OF the
library room is presented splendid view
shores of the Potomac TO the heights Of
Georgetown taking in the Presidents mansion and
all the public buildings, while far to the west Is seen
the rising lands Of Virginia, dotted with farms De
scendne 70 the west front of the Capitol, the monu
ment erected TO our gallant naval officers, who fell
at the battle Of Trpo next attracted the attention OF
our merry company This monument, at the time the
British burnt the Capitol in lsl4 then standing
in the navy yard and still bears the marks othe fire
and the muitilated injuries committed by Engand's
yandal troops On one Of the corners OF the monu.
ment the Muse of History Is represented with
book in her lap, recording the gallant deeds of our
braves Lieut. Geo. Pratt, OF his Britannia Majestys
fripate Sea Horse who was In this expedition, APP
preached the monument, and with his sword struck
The pen from the hand Of the Muse, saying that mo
pen was needed to record the deeds of sopusanimous
navy as ours He was afterwards killed In a
hand to hand Fight with the gunboats, at the battle
of New orleans, by the late gallant Commodore
Catesby Jones. then lieutenant.
Having fulfilled my mission 10 the satisfaction OF
the party they went on their way rejoicing.
Tbo president IL snuply ouarterpd in his summer