The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-07
WALKS ABOUT WASHING.
TON.
sn.,i,, Correspondence to the Wheeling Register.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 1863.

I. i certain these walks Will become
i ,;resome if we linger too long about the
y C.nitol Were we to stay here for month
r;auinc this colossal structure, we would
Dot see all that is worth seeing, or all that
,o;,bt erci, our admiration and wonder
Its very interesting to pass an hour or
two in the Supreme Court and witness
there how matters Of state and interna-
tionaI character are adjusted. 1t is pleas
ant too, to stroll around for a time in the
Seekers and Committees Rooms and see
their elegant furniture and their magniti-
cent artistic decorations-also, to have
Mr.. L. W Emmert, Chief Engineer IN
heating aud ventilating these buildings,
take you around amid wilderness Of works
in the basement and explain the manner in
which the whole edi6ce is warmed to gen
tie summer heat by the workings of a
steam engine forcing heated air from a
great reservoir through metallic pipes TO
every room and corner thereof.
No less interesting are the form as furn-
isiei of this huge Rotunda! This is the
grand punctuae s0iienS OF the whole affair
From this, as from the great cavity of the
heart of man, flow streams Of life into all
parts of the capitol, Of which itself forms
one of the most distinguishing features
We have already seen that il requires an
ascent of just 100 steps to reach the floor
Of this wonderful apartment Having
reached il, we find it over 800 feet in cir
conference and rising in majesty all around
US in tae form Of an acute cone % an I'M
mense height, eliminating finally in grand
crown on which stands (viSible from wlths
out) the mach admired and far famed
statute of the Goddess of Liberty.
A few days since, the head section of the
giant figure, was set on its place, In view,
aud amid, the shouts of the admlring multi
rudes of persons assembled to witness the
interesting sight. Cannon from hundred
forts belc6ed forth their taunder! Music
from many well trained bands rung out IN
all quarters, and joy and gladnesS ruled the
hour! This dome with its statute is con
spicuous from all quarters, for miles around
the city, and might ali 'st he mistaken for
some miniature-though moiern-tower OF
Babel. Ii, with the right aud left wings o.
tue Capitol, is the recent improvement, o:
entension, 30 much talked of as having been
in progress for wears. The former is nearly
finished, but it will require much time and
money vet to 'mpletc the latter. In these
wings are the Halls Of Congress. That of
the Senate being on the right as you ap-
proach the western front from the city, and
that of the House on the left.
The old part of the building is not in
keeping in either material or style with the
new. Still, at little distance this dis
crepancy does not appear,--the whole riS-
ing before you with beauty and majesty
truly impressive.
After this depression let us go back into
the rotunda and take a look at the magnif
ticent paintings therein to be found. lst-I
Here is a life size scene OF the baptism OF
p ,tahontas, the lovely Indian girl who say
ed the life of Capt Smith, near jamestown
in Virginia, about two centuries ani hall
ago. She is said to have submitted to this
Christian rite in the year 1918. The whole
design ia unique and well executed. The
portraits are exquisite. 2l-The discovery
Of the Mississippi by De Soto in May, l54l.
How natural the men look! This first sight
of "the great Father of Waters" seems to-
fill them with astonishment. And 30 Won
der. Who has not felt the same as he first
viewed the huge proportions OF this south
ern bound monster Letus pass on, saying,
"Well done" 3d-Next is a fine large
picture of the Landing of Columbus in the
New World, in Oct l492. The emotion
of both savage and civilized are well ex-
pressed.
4. This IS the great Yankee picture of the
Pilgrims embarking from Delft Haven, in
Holland, July 81, g.. s.l 1920. 1t matters
not whether the artist painted from fact or
fancy, nc did bis work we'll His characters
seem to speak to you, 50 life-like are they
5. This one is grand affair 1t repre-
sonts Washington resigning his commission
to Congress in Annapolis assembled, Dec.
%, 1888 How wildly the paternity and
patriotism of the Father Of his country ap,
pear in these exquisite delineati ms!
6. Here is group of immortale, IN paint
ing which the artist has immortalized him
self. 1t is, of course, the signers of the
Declaration of independence, Philadelphia,
July 4, l776. This scene must ever be dear
TO every true Americans heart.
I. How, suppose you, a real John Bull
feels in looking upon tEis-The surrender
Of Lord Cornwallis to Washington, in York;
town, Va, 1872 Or tbs
s. The surrender of Burgoyne at Sara
toga, n. Y, Oct l777. Both are biters on
the British.
Besides these, there are many Others, and
some sculpture. Time would fail 10 notice
all. Each of these named was put here at
cost of $4,000. Costly ctures, but they
are worth it as remembrancers of national
achievements and "reminiscences of past
events and persons. It's hoped this walk
has not been too long. Let US rest awhile,
however, for we have Others yet to take.