Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-05
Our Washington correspondence.

WASHINGTON, mdECn - AC--'
now resume the subject Of my last
letter:
The browning glory of the Patent Office
is its last story, call the "Model Room"
1t consists of four grand salons, running |
completely around the building, and |
overlooking the whole city together |
with many miles of green fields and |
placid Potomac beyond. In the first of
these, which is reached by the main |
stair way, are exhibited articles Of va
ried interest, while the other three are
entirely devoted to the models Of pa
tented machines. To describe minutely
so grand hall rs the first would be an
impossibiIity. Let me, therefore, con
tent myself with saying that the
ceiling Is composed Of transverse
arches, eacn four forming > central
groin. Numerous pillars support these,
resting upon pedestals Of dead black.
Their shafts are Of the deepest blue,
and are surmounted by heavily gilded
abacus with amulets Of sienna. The
prevailing coloris blue OF different shades
50 singularly blended with sienna,
white and gold, that a most novel e.
feet is produced. The panels are formed
by fasces which seem actually to Aang
out, SO excellent i9 the management Of
shadow study of these startling
combinations is the more interesting
! because they are the reproduction of
some most celebrated Pompeian frescoes
| Lowering our eyes, lest we provoke the
wrath Of the gods whose ancient hon
OrS are here profaned, we notice many
glass cases disposed regularly tn rough
out the hall. Some of these are deN 'oted
to the Washington relics. His comp ass,
clothes, cane, saddle, camp equipaS e,
tents, many articles of household fur.
niture, as china, candelebra writing
desk, bedding, and some embroidery by
Martha WashingtOn-all are here pre-
served. With these sacred memorials is
seenthat paper so dear to every American
the original Declaration of Indepen-
denCe. Although somewhat faded by
time, most Oft can still be read. Direct
ly opposite stands Franklin's printing
press, recalling in its venerable clum-
siness the anecdotes of John Jacob Alb
bolt which once excited our youthful
reverence, In other cases are arrayed,
not inartistically, gorgeous silk robes
keen swords, armor, saddles, housings, |
and brides, all from Japan, with many
most astonishing specimens of Japan
ese skill In the OrnamentatiOn of wood |
and metals. Near by, is large collec- |
ton of needles and further on, several |
cases filed with an inhnity Of articles
manufactured Of india-rubber under the |
Goodyear patent, comprising every
thing ever seen, from hair-pin to q |
man Of war
The Inauguration Ball was given |
last year in the Model Rooms. In the |
northern salon the walls were hung |
with flags of many countries dais up
on one side accommodated the Presi- |
Dental party, and a hanging balcony |
the Marine Band. The supper was laid |
in the western hall; while a prom
enade concert occupied the eastern.
Thus the festivities filled the whole sto-
ry, the four sides of the immense quad |
rangle measuring 1850 feet
| cannot resist the desire to add a |
few words to what has already been
said Of the external appearance OF this
magnificent structure. Perhaps the best !
time to gain an adequate idea of its
effect is by the light Of full moon when
the spectator stands between il and the
Post office opposite. He cannot fail to
be struck with the difference of impress.
sion produced by the two. The latter
has all the graceful lightness and beau
ty which can be given to a modified
Corinthian style of architecture, the pu-
rity and delicacy of the design being ad-
mlrably seconded by the material, which
is white marble. Such a combination
transports him with a new love of the
beautiful. He sees here reflected the
abodes Of Roman emperors and mobiles
and can even picture from it that civ
SUM of the tourists dream-the vati-
can. The palaces Of sunny Italy "lir-
ing to eternal summer their marble
walls" rise in Imagination before him.