Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-11-09
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1855.
W.,hinxson Correspondence.
wAsHrSoroS, Nov. 8, 1865.

not be adequately described in such a
correspondence as this 1t must be seen b
and It's vast halls and almost countless L
rooms must be visited again and again {
to form proper conception of its ma, l
iestic proportions and of its beautiful |
and tasteful adornment. A few words {
in regard to the old capitol as it was be-
fore the enlargement by extensions, may
afford better idea of the structure as IL
now exists.
The corner stone was laid by General
Washington in 1898. The plan OF the
building comprised central part rising
To the height of 145 feet, and wing on
each side. The wings were first con-
structed, that on the south side Tor inc
Uouse the other for the Senate. In this
unfinished state it was occupied by
Congress in 1900. Before its compie'
tion the city was taken by the British
in 1914, and it was then burned, togeth-
err with the library, which contained
3O0O volumes. The walls remained
standing. and measures were at once
taken TO rebuild 1t. In the meahtinie
the sessions Of Congress were held IN
,oroa hrick building near the capltoi
grounds known as the ola caplCoi'
and used during the late war as pris-
nm. The new structure was compieteu
in 1925. and was 352 feet long, while the
width or the central part was 29O leet'
Resides q hall in each wing for the TWO
houses OF Congress, it contained the nee
e.sarv rooms for the clerks and commit
tees the rotunda-a circular room on
the east side Of the central part, 90 leet
in diameter and 96 feet in height-and
west of It. a large and elegant room for
the library. The cost OF the oulioinS
was q little short of 100000.
The old hall of Representatives was
constructed after a plan suggested by
Mr.. Jefferson, who had seen similar
,oon,a in Paris. 1t was semi circular,
90 feet long, 81 feet deep and 6o leet
biob measuring to the apex OF the vault
cd calling, surrounded on the inside by
"a columns of variegated marble IRON
the hanks of the Potomac. This hall is
not now used, except as an open court
or massage to the new hall, but it is tC
he n receptacle for statuary and Other
works OF art. 1t is, however, forever
consecrated in memory by the lofty elo
oueuce Of Clay and Webster and theil
compatriots in the golden days of tht
republic.
The rotnnda, lighted from the dome
contains paintings Of great historic in
terest, Col. TrumbuI, who had been
member Of Washington's military fam
ilv. and who was Familiarity acquainte'
with both American and French officer
who figured in the revolutionary wal
was employed by Congress to paint lou
large historical pictures, which ar
placed here. Their great merit consis'
in the fact that actual portraits are II
troduced in all OF them. Thus the ID
claratiop of Independence, which
made familiar to us by engravipgs, Co
t.;ns the portrait of each slgner. III
same is true of the other paintings-t
surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga,
Oornwallis at Yorktown, and Washn
ton resigning his commission to &c
yress at Annapolis after the close Oh
war. Several other paintings by la
artists of great merit, adorn the wa
The one which most interests N
Enolsuder is the Pilgrims at Delft 1
ven, by Weir. The paintings are es
eighteen feet in length by twelve iee'
height, and cost from SS'oOO 10 wv
each.
The library embraces the western I
ton OF the central part OF the bulldi
After the destruction Of the capitol
the British, Mr. Jefferson offered his
brary, consisting of 1900 volumes
Congress, and it was purchased for .
OOO Liberal appropriations were ar
allv made for charging it, when AM
ar fire. arising from detective
DESTROYED about 10000 volume
The greater part of Mr.. Jefierson's bt
were saved, and they excite great IL
est by his annotations in that beau
handwriting of his, which is Wo
of imitation, but cannot be surpaS
This room was rebuilt and made
proof, being constructed, even to
shelves on which the books are lai
iron. It is 81 feet long, 81 feet
and SO feet high. 1t is fitted up
three stories of iron cases and alc'
access to which is afforded by light
leries surrounding the room. This
ia one Of the most beautiful in the b
ing. tits now being greatly enla
but the principal room will remain
changed. The books already nu
10000 volumes, and are an exceed
rich collection, especially in English
French history, and in books illust
by the most rare and costly engraN
Its greatest deficiency is in booF
American history and in works st
scientific. Had space, would
Il t.aN