The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-06-22


lantern 80 feet high. 1t is lighted by
electricity, and only when one or both
Houses has night session. In it is a re-
fector, so the light can be seen all over
the city. Would there were more rehec-
tors below, so that their lights might be
seen throughout the world On this stands
what seems graceful young lady, but she
is l94 feet high and weighs more than six
tons
THE INTERIOR.
Through the grand central bronze door
one enters the rotunda. Its height is $50
feet, diameter SO feet. Its cifcle is divid
ed into eight panels, separated by Roman
pilasters. In these panels are historical
paintings, four illustrating the settlement
of North America, and four the Revolu-
tionary war; and wreaths above these pan
els encircle busts of Columbus, Cabot,
Raleigh aud La Sale The frieze, 300
feet in length, is nude, save one cartoon,
but Mr. Brumidi is now frescning it in
neutral tints, so the effect, even with a
powerful opera glass, is as perfect as if it
were bas relief 1t viii require twenty
cartoons. The first is, of course, the land
ing of Columbus. The last will be finding
gold in California. The canopy of the
rotunda has some 5000 feet of allegorical
and historical frescoes, which are colossal,
but from the floor seem only of life size.
These are by Brumidi.
Mr.. Brumidi is an italian; he painted
a portrait of Pope Plus TX. for the Vati-
can before coming to America. For
twenty-five years he has painted much of
the time on the Capitol He is allowed to
choose his own subjects, and with strange
familiarity with our history, and great,
good taste, has he chosen them, and with
fine skill executed them. His works-all
the frescoes of the Capitol-praise him,
but "he never praises himself or criticises
another"
The west door of the rotunda leads to
the library, in which are some 100000
volumes. In it is copy of Eliot's Indian
Bible, and imprints of every year from
1467-15OO. In 1900, for the purchase
Of such books as might be needed for the
use of Congress, and for fitting up suita-
bic room in the Capitol for their safe keep
ing, Congress voted the muni6cent sum of
So, 1000 and in 1906 81 ,000l
The south door of the rotunda leads to
the once Hall of Representatives. but now
the statue gallery, and such statues The
north door to the once Senate, but now
Supreme Court room. On the east is
row of Ionic pillars, modelled after the
Temple of Minerva; before these the JUS
tices sit, three on either side the Chief
Justice. The room is plain, yet august,
for these walls have held the noblest, wisest
spirits, and heard the most eloquent of our
mighty dead And from the high tribu-
nal it holds to-day there is no appeal save
TO Almighty God. 1t is the only spot
where one feels awed, or where silence is
compelled, and here not even the Emperor
might whisper.
The House Extension is but little en-
bellished. The Hall of Representatives is
the centre of the building, and lighted
from the top. 1t is 139 feet long, 80 feet
wide, and 36 feet high. 1t has galleries
on four sides, and can seat 1900 persons.
There are 300 desks for members in seven
semi-circles facing the Speakers platform.
The ceiling is pannelled in 40 panels; 81
have stained centres with coats of arms of
the States.
The Senate Extension is very rich and
very much embellished The Senate
chamber is the centre, and like the House
in general plan, but smaller, 113 feet by
81; seats for "A Senators. On the east is
the lobby. From it opens the Vice -Presi-
dents room. Its walls are plain but tint.
ed; it is richly furnished, its only ornament
is Peale's Washington. Next is the SEN
ate retiring room, 80 feet long and 2l
wide. Its ceiling rests on four Corinthian
columns of white marble, and its panels of
white marble highly polished The sides
are of Tennessee marble. This marble
room, it is claimed, is the finest Of the kind
in the world, but the effect is cold Next
to it, opening from the lobby, is the Presi-
dents room, with its warm tints and ele-
giant frescoes. On the walls is Washing
ton, and, in medalions, each of his Cabi-
net. The four corner pieces overhead are
Columbus, with globe, Cfrom a portrait
in Mexieo0 Americus Vespucius, (from
painting in Florence with charts and
telescope; William Brewster with an open
Bible, and Benjamin franklin with print
Ing press and manuscripts. The centre
medallion is three infants with the Amer
can flag. It is all by Brumidi, and the
finest room in America, it is said, and one
cannot doubt. The Senate reception room,