Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-19
THE CITY.

Northern States.
The Capitol Square was originally as rugged
piece Of ground as many of our hillsidcs in the
country exhibit after a runous course Of cultiva-
ton. Deep ravines furrowed it on either side, and
Nav and Jame.town weeds decorated and pertumed
II in untisturbed luxuriance. On each side of che
Capitol was a long horse rack for the convenience
Of the public, and to diversity the odour. In front
of the portico stood an Imprinted wooden belfry,
somewhat resembling the daries one sees at good
farm.houses. The portico might then be reached
by a narrow, winding stone stairway, now closed,
which gave to the goats aud kids, who spOrted In
-4smbers about the grounds, convenient access to
the portico where they found shelter in wet wealth
er. A few Of the original forest trees constituted
the only relief to the dismal aspect of the grounds,
except few chInquepin bushes, which served to
prick the fingers Of the boys in due season, and
copious and luxurious growth of thistles, whose
down. in good breeze, resembled snow storm.
Between the Governors House and the Capitol
was high stone wall near the line Of the street,
built to close the upper end of an immense rayine
(now a shady delD, and this wall, after heavy
fall of rain, flowed a great body Of water forming
fine rose-tinted cascade.
The ugly guard-house and belfgy now disfguring
the square, was preceded by a much uger edifce
q shabby old secondhand, wooden house, occupied
IS barracks by the Public Guard. The Capitol it.
self was not then succeed.
The Governors House, preceding the present one,
was very plain wooden edifce Of two stories, with
only two moderate sized rooms on the first floor
It's gubernatorial occupants were from Henry and
Jefferson down to Monroe and Page.
Two articles of furniture, Of the Colonial times,
q. Il kka Ga
sr's chair of the House of Burgesses originally
decorated with the royal arms of England. This
rl air was removed from Williams burg, and is now,
though shorn of its regal emblems, occupied by the
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
The tall, three story stove, which warmed those
Colonial halls in succession for about hundred
years and for the last thirty years has served to
warm the central hall in which stands Houdons
statue Of Washington, is work Of great note and
interest This stove bears the British coat OF
arms and other embellishments as perfect the
day it as cast.
The founder of it, BuzaglO, proud of hi,
work and when it was shipped from London, Aug
IS, ITO, he thus wrote to "My Lord" Botetourt
i,The elegance of the workmanship does honor to
Grea. Britain. 1t excels in grandeur anything ever
seen of the kind, and is a masterpiece not to be
equalled in all Europe. 1t has met with great ap-
plause and could not be sufficiently admired! "
The warming machine as Buzaglo called it /
this masterpiece of arts and science, doomed to
carry his name to posterity, presented to the
House of Burgesses of Virginia by the Duke OF
Beaufort. It has survived three British monarchs,
and been cotemporaneous with three kingly mo-
marches, two republics, and two imperial govern
ments in France, but Of only one constellation OF
republics in the United States, though it has stood
in the hall of those who Matched treason and one of
the most stupendOus Rebellions the world ever
saw.
Since 1861 the stove has served the purpose OF a
cooking stove for the negro women who kept lunch
stands in the rotunada, and at its crate Wigall,
Bocock, Extra Billy, and other "fre EATERS" raised
the aaps or their coat tails smoked their clay pipes
and talked treason.
The grounds of Capitol Square were originally
laid out BY Mons. Godefroi, Freuchman, but the
west-sde was modernized according to an irregular
plan adapted to it by Mr.. hoffman, of Philadelphia
AS time and space admit, we may continue our
observations on prominent points and objects Of in
terest in Richmond forming record for the curious,
and guide for the tourist.
II - - D,oI,na nufS ca A