Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-07-04
is furnished with magnificent mirrors, sofas,

ulu CCuulO
Chambers arc not used at present, but re-
main in their original state, except that
the furniture has been taken out, (Which
we think was in very bad taste) We
have not space or time to describe the 9TH
er rooms those occupied by the Vice Pres
idcnt. Speaker of the House, and other Of
fccrs, the Restaurants &C., the Easements,
and the magnificent halls. Suffice it to
say that the whole building is of the most
durable materials, almost wholly of marble
and iron, built at an expense (when fin
ishcd) of $4,000. 900, and is, as it should
be, the most magnificent architectural pro-
duction in the United States.
The view from the dome is extensive and
beautiful. Looking west, the city isspread
out before US like map, its broad streets
and broader avenues traceable to their
utmost limits, and its noble public buildings
occupying the most prominent positions.
Beneath are the extensive capitol grotinds
with their trees, shrubbery, broad walks,
fountains and statues: in front Pennsylva-
MIA Avenue stretches out to the Presidents
House; its centre thronged with carriages
and omnibusses, and the wide sidewalks
with their tide of humanity, its north side
almost lined with hotels. the National, (of
poison notoriety,) Browns United States,
Kikwood, Washington, American and
Wizards. (thc latter the largest and most
aristocratic,) besides host of smaller es-
Establishments. To the right of the Ameri-
can are seen the Patent Office, Pest Office
Treasury, City Hall, &c; to the left are
the National Conservatory, the SmithsOn-
ian, and beyond are the Observatory, and
that half finished monster, The Washing
ton Monument" Farther on is George
town. with tscollege, converts and church
es looming up on the heights; to the left is
the west branch of the Potomac, beyond
which is Arlington House. the home of Mr.
Custis, the descendant of Martha Wash
inston.
Turn sOuthwardly; at the point where
the waters of the Eastern and Western
branches of the Potomac meet, are the Pen
itentiary, and the Arsenal, with its exten-
sive buildings and grounds, its cannon and
large piles of cannon balls; farther up is
theNavy Yard with its extensive manufac-
tories, over the East branch, on heights
on the Maryland side. is the Lunatic Asy-
lum, and down the Potomac, in the distance
is seen the City of Alexandria.
Turn again Eastward, and beneath is
the Capitol Grounds; fronting us is Green
ough's statue of Washington; beyond is
Pennsylvania Avenue, again, stretching
toward the National. or Congressional Bu-
rial Ground where lie entombed so many
of the nations wisest and best. To the left
is Bladcnsburg, the scene of an inglorious
battle. To the right is the Marine Hos
pital, and away to the Eastward is seen
the crooked line of the East Branch of the
Potomac. If more than this splendid pam
Drama was wanting to excite the interest of
the visiter who looks upon it from the eapi-
tol dome, let him reflect that he stands over
the foundation stone laid by Washington,
that under the roof beneath Kim, have
presided as Presidents, the Adams, JefFer-
son, Madison, and Jackson; that the walls
have rung to the elOquence of Writ, Web /
ster. Clay, Hayne, echoed back the cold
hard logic of Calhoun, the glittering soph-
istries of Burr, and the biting satire of
Randolph, within them was the torch of
the British yandal applied, and around
them has sounded the tramp of his armed
legions.