The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-03-01
The Pablo Buildings Of Washington.
EvsBEs n.

ED. gotRSAL: OF tie public buildings in
Washiogton. there are none which moro
deeply Impress tho mind Of M observer
with the utilitarian character Of this Kepub-
lic.aud the potent influence OF it's free inst-
tutions than the Patont Office. The storm
republican shnplicity of its architecture,
its solid construction, and great inagnitude;
tho practical uses to which its various dc
partinonts are applied; aud its vast accu-
mutation Of models, developing scientific
utility for tho benefit Of the nasses; at
oilce exhibits the highost form Of national
aud practical civilization. In vain we look
to tho monumental aud historial remaius of
sncion or Of modern nations, for any in
stitution which in it's practical details, and
pbicctive designs, can in any measure
compare with t.1s . f.. tdsI8 Doe
Tho colossaI remains Of lI,bylon, Of As.
SYRIA and of Egypt, direct tho MUD to a
period in which the dicta Of an arbitrary
Powor controlled the destiny, and com.
nanded tile service OF the great mass OF
human boings under its control. Those
monuments demonstrate tho cxaItation OF
the tyrant, and tho serviity of the people.
Tho public institutions Of Greece denote
an epoch In which the crudo blendings Of
idol worship with impulsive freedom,
gave mysterious energy to tho genius OF
it's citizons, whio'i, as developed in their
varied styles Of architecture, stands uh.
rivnlled.
Grand and Impressive as these monu-
ments are, which are thus conseorated to
thoir gOnius, yet whom their usos are
viewed in relation to the elevation and
practical benefit of tho indigont aud
dov'n'trodden class of mankind, they are
cold as an iceberg aud ilusive as its gilt ).
tcring coruscations. In thum the vanity,
rathor than the woll.being of mankind is
displayed. ues Sos q rls, # i.H ul
Passing from Greece to Romo the i'm.
asination is bcwildorod by tho stupendou9
romans of that imperial power; and horror.
posscsses the mind whilst contemplating
their usos, Tho Coliseum that grandost
specimen OF their works-is exhibited by
the historian as monument of murder,
and Of the Wholesale slaughter of human
beings. By gladiatorial combats tho En-
peror rrajdfi alone cause ton thousand
captvcs TO perish in n hundred days.
With sickenng horror, the mind turns from
tho associations of these grand old ruins
and their sanguinary uses. Aside from
their architectural grandeur, these insti,
tutions only m0ucated lessons which per,
vorted tho understanding and judgement
of tho people of those nations; degraded the
poor, and tramplcd thom in tho dust;
whilst thoy magni6cd tho grandeur, aud OK
tollod the power of tyrauts. aie.s sr tt|
In Wow of these, and also of other M
tional institutions Of more recent date, il 10
with profound satisfaction we turn to
that higher civilization, attained by this
Ropablic, and is partly displayed in its
public Offices, of which the Patent Office
| furnishes fitting illustration. by it the
welfare ot, tho masses is promoted. labor
and Genius are therein crowned with ma
tional honors. e
The Patent Office is built in the Doric style
Of architecture, which is exceedingly plain,
yet the building in it's architectural details
is exceedingly grand and majestic, exciting
the admiration of all who behold it, Its
length is 4l0 feet; the breadth 215 feet
fronting on four streets. All Of tho build
ing except the south part is built of crys-
talizcd marble, the center Of the part nam,
cd being of brown sandstone painted TO
correspond with tho other portions of the
building. Tho inner quadrangle of the
structure is 2G5, by 1876 feet. The base is
OF ircestono, and the basement is fitted up
with offices, for tho clerks connected with
.ho Department., and for models of large
sizc. A semicircular staircase runs from
this to the upper stories, Of which there
are two. The east, west and south sides
arc ornamcnted with porticos. Tho broad
platform Of tho south portico is reached 10y
allight of ,2S granite steps, and it is stud ddel
with double rows of llu,od columns. These
columns are Of the norio order; they are
mado OF freestone aud are sixteen in
number; each column being eighteen ieet
in circ'imierencc. The roof of tho building &
is Hat and is covered with copper.
The interior Of this magnificent eiihco
is as grand as it's exterior, aud the arrange.
mcnts are all thorough and complete. The
third story is occupied by cases and
shelves containing models of patents. Here
may bosecn almost every class of articles
) or machines used in agriculture, in mechan.
ical pursuits; in scientific professions, OF
which tend TO aid the hnmblest classes of
our country in tho pursuit Of lifo's great
objects s-solid comforts. Tho machinery
aud articles thus used are soen in all their
varied stages Of deveopement First the
; crude idea of the inventor, then by success
i've improvements until It appears to the
world ss tho highest and most perfect
specimen of mechanical ingenuity. ,. III,
4 room occupied 10y those articles measure,
on its outer surface 500 ieet, a tribe over
one fourth Of a mile in tho circuit. Thi,
(. vast mpssVn OF human ingenuity and skill
n contains mOdols OF every article which ha,
been patented. Here, Also arc lars,
number Of curiosi.ies and rel;cs ,rh;,L az,