The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-06

tsWG no Wn1or worn by Columbus
Is said 10 be a copy ofa snit he actually
), wore. The group cost $20,O01. On
the north side Of the steps is another
group called "Civilization: or the
Settlement Of the Country" 1t repre-
sanis the American pioneer in conflict
with the Indian. This group also cost
$4,000. We next entered the rotnn-
ga, which occupies the centre of The
Capitol. There are eight largo nic. o
lures around its circuit, each 0ccunv-
ing large panel measuring eighteen
by twelve feet. Over each of the four
doors leading from the rotunda is q
marble statue. The cost of the four is
said to be $1,000. We lcft the rotundn
and entered tho Whispering Gallery.
which is very interesting. Two per-
sons standing immediately opposite
each other can converse with the Mt
most case IN very low tone Of voice.
Inc voice OF the person speaking
seems to be talking opposite and
above tic position he really occupies.
we next proceeded TO the old Hail of
Representatives,. Next we entered
the new Hall Of Representatives. This
mas gallery capable ofhaving crowd
ed into it twelve hundred persons.
!he ceiling is of iron, and in tic centre
is sky-light pancllcd with glass.
seats Tor the members with desks in
front Of them arc arranged in success
siVe scni-circlcs facing the Speakers
desk.
| We next entered The Senate Cham
Der. In appearance it resembles the
Hall OF Representatives, though much
smaller. The desks Of the Senators
arc of highly polished mahogany. &
| must not forget to add here that cacI,
member OF our party had the honor of
taking scat in our Senator's chairs
and also III that Of the President. }
North Of the Senate Chamber arc three
rooms Of great beauty. Ono is the
PRESIDENTS. Tho whole room is deco
rated in frcsco, and on the walls are
portraits Of President Washington and
his Cabinet. The floor is covered with
a rich carpet. In this room the l'rcsi-
dent af!iXcs his signature to bills.
Next we entered the marble room.
The walls arc Of polished Tennessee
marble and plate glass. Four mar
PIC columns support the ceiling
Leaving this room, We entered the
library Of Congress. These beautiful
halls arc of iron, including shelves ::
and consequently arc all tirc-proof. In
1879 tho number Of volumes was
352, 2,G5i, besides 10000 pamphlets.
Last, but by no means least, we de-
sccndcd the steps that lead to the base
mcnt, and there we saw all the muchi-
merry for vcntlating the building.
Alter remaininga few minutes on tic
grounds Of the Capitol we proceeded
to the Botanical Garden. In this laruc
conservatory grow plants Of al! de-
Scr'ptlons from the majestic palm to
the graceful fern. We next proceeded
to The Smithsonian Institute, the be-
quest of an English gentleman. The
National Musrum deposited there i'll
ciudcs the collections Of all the cXplor-
ing expeditions ofthc United States,
besides all other sorts Of curiositics
which it would require weeks to exam
Inc carefully. Next we went to tho Agri-
cultural department. 1t is a delight
III place, especially under the Crane
there long, lest the policeman would at
grapes merely to sec if they were
sour. Tho next day which was
Tuesday, VIC left the Sixth street wharf
at 10 O'Clock q. m.
FOR MOUNT VERNON,
which is seventeen miles south of iho
Capital and may be approached bv
land or water. The first thing Of in
ternst after leaving tho C",,:!:! ,t. ;S 6 - TIC
United States Arsenal, the grounds Of
which are beautiful, and well kept.
just across the Eastern Branch which
flows into the Potomac below the Arse
nal is the Insane Asylum. The first
landing is at the town Of Alexandria,
one of the oldest and most important
ports of the colonies. From the Poto-
mac can be seen the spire Of Christ
Church, of which Washington was q
vcstryman. Fort Footc on the Mary
land side is the second landing. II is
situated on a high bluff one hundred
feet above tho water, and is six miles
from Washington. Fort WASHINGTON
is the last landing before reaching
Mount Vernon, and is four miles dis
tant. The tollng Of the bell and the
hosting of the flag announce to the
passengers that they are approaching
the home of Washington. After land
ing, the first object of interests the
tomb Of him who was "Grst in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts Of
his countrymcn." The tomb is Il plain
brick structure, familiar through mul-
tipfied prints to every school-boy in
the land. Nearer the house stands the
Washington Oak, measuring twelve
feet i'll circumference. The first build
ing reached is the old barn built of
brick brought from England. We
next approached the dwelling house.
1t is made Of wood, the silings Of
which arc cut and painted to represent
stone. The east piazza extends the