Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-07
The New Senate Hall.

similar to the new Hall Of Representatives
but to the eye appears more finely proper
toned. The style and character of dccora-
ton are nearly the same in both houses; ex-
cept that in the Senate the tone Of color Is
much more subducd. The area of the floor
is so feet by Is, and of the roof III by So the
difference being occupied by a continuous
gallery around the four sides of the apart
ment and capable of seating 200 persons.
The inner roof or ceiling, OF iron, is fiat,
with deep panels, twenty-one of which are
filled with ground glass, having in the centre
of each pane colored medallion represent
ing the prnting-prcss, steam engine, cor
nucopia, and other symbols OF progress and
plenty. The light issupplicd wholly through
the window in the roof, and the effect is good,
flood of light falling on the reverend scig,
nors on the floor, while the galleries remain
in half-shadow. The gas apparatus is placed
above the ceiling, 50 that the light streaming
through the panes may seem like sottened
effect of sunlight.
The ceiling is 80 feet from the floor, but
presents an appearance of greater altitude.
lishments in high relief and all Of iron.-
The floor of the chamber is covered with l.,
100 yards of tapestry carpeting, having IL large
pattern of flowers on a purple ground. The
effect is not unpleasing. Had time permit
ted. carpet would have been manufactured
of color and design to harmoniSe--aS for in
stance, of red stars on buff ground. The
Vice Presidents desk is IA modest table OF
mahogany, as unlike as possible to the mar,
BILE bar on which the Hon. Speaker pounds.
The places of Senators are arranged in three
circular rows.
The spectators galleries are upholstered in
drab damask, rather too blue iii tone for good
effect. Ample accommodation is supplied,
even to the extent Of a ladies' robing room.-
Access to the galleries is attained through
doors of maple, inlaid with bronze The
gallery set apart for the press is fitted with
desks for about twenty persons and 1t is UNI
derstood that no one will be permitted with
in it, unless specially accredited by the Vice
President.
When the dust of fow sessions shall have
taken the gloss off it, and the ycnius toci had
time to settle himself, there can be little
doubt this new chamber will be found every
way more fitting than the old one.
The wings of the Capitol being of the Ro-
man Corinthian order of architecture, the in
terror fittings and decorations are, of course,
in harmony Herewith. The hall itself is
approached by two grand starways, the East
of Tennessee marble-the West entirely of
white marble of extreme purity. Neither is
yet completed, but enough is shewn by the
broad marble steps, the massive balustradcS
of the same material, and the superb columns
with their capitals heightened with bronze, to
Indicate the magniticence of the design
Both starways are lighted from the roct,
with special adaptation to the walls being
covered with historical paintings. This sit
uation is considered the most favorable in the
building for the execution of some work OF
art recording the deeds of history.
The Senators retiring room and ante
chamber are the most highly finished rooms
in the capitol. They are in totally different
STYLES. The retiring room is entire v of mar
BILE; the roof supported by columns Of rare
beauty. 1t is impossible 10 desire any effect
more chaste than this apartment presents,
with the cold glitter of its walls and roof.
''unadorned. adorned the most Three mir
rors. inserted rs panels in the wall, are each
of the dimensions of l20 inches in height by
20 inches wide. The ante-room is excessive
in ornamentation, and is vet unfinished. The
walls are divided by gilded work in reiiero,
into spaces for fresco paintings. The domed
ceiling of the room is panclled, each panel
being filled with rosette of FURNISHED gold.
The four spandrils and the centre Of the dome
have allegorical paintings executed in Il SUI
perior manner. and forming a contrast to
certain medallions in another portion of the
building, where one represents celestial
being with dislocated hip, and another the
Goddess Of Melancholy dancing the bolero.
The Presidents and Vice Presidents apart
ments, and the Committee Rooms enter from
the level of the Senate floor. All are deco
rated, Some few are finished, but the great
er number are incomplete in consequence Of
the action Of Congress in withholding sup
plies The corridors and passages are like
wise in progress of establishment. All are
paved with encaustic tiles The arched roofs
are, generally speaking, finished i'll geometric
designs enclosing landscape and heraldic de-
vices. The walls are covered with trelis-
work of flowers and foliage on which Cupids
and Native American birds, beasts, and creep
ing things are ascending and descending,
with more or less resemblance to nature
Some of the flower and fruit pieces are gems
They might bo cut from the wall and framed
as originals of Lance
The heating and vcntilating arrangements
are said to be the largest in the world, those
of the English House Of Parliament not ex-
cepted Every portion of the capitoi-that
mountainous mass of marbles at once ven
tilated and warmed by ono apparatus
Eight boilers convey steam to coils set IN diff
ferent places Of the oollarage. supplying any
required degree of heat, and. at the same
time, motive power to two fans IN either
wing, One Of these fans sends continual
breczes of me1cated air through the smaller
apartments. while the other performs the
same service for the Senate chamber The
air is graduated according to the atmospheric
temperature without and tho political excite
mcnt within-during an elGctional debate
never to exceed 900. and on ordinary occa-
sions TO range between 100 and 130. Thirty
thousand cubic feet Of air are circulated
through the chamber per minute, which
anantity may be increased to eighty thous-
and The apparatus is completely under
control. ANY proportion Of moisture may
be impaired. from the delicious freshness of
morning to the feeling that preudhs thun-
der shower, or even till the atmosphere
oThay and resolve itself into dew.
1t may be prudent to add that rs each room Is
furnished with fiues and registers, Senators,