Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-15
WUEETING W. VA. TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 15

, CT cling July 4, l''o. IL 'ho
hyure rests broad spear, and at her
feet an eagle, with partly spread wings.
The head OF the figure is crowned with
a star, and inclines towards the figure
OF Hope" who is addressing her. The
Genius of America, in reply to Hope.
who is recounting the glory OF the
nation, points to the figure on the other
side, which represents Justice, with eyes
uplifted, and holding in the right hand
a partly-unrolled scroll, on which is in
scribed Constitution OF the United
States" and in the left the scales. JUS
tice has neither bandage nor sword, rep
resenting that American justice judges
intelligently. The emblematic character
of the group suggests that, however
Hope may flatter, all prosperity should
be founded in public right and the
preservation OF the Constitution. On
the south buttress of this portico stands
a semi.colossal group OF statuary repre-
senting the discovery OF America, in a
figure OF Columbus holding aloit a small
globe, on the top of which is inscribed
"America." At his side crouches al as
I n shed and awe stricken Indian maid
en-. II is said that the armer is true to
a rivet, having been copied from a suit
| in the palace OF the descendants OF the
discoverer a. Genoa. The correspond
ing group on the north buttress repre-
sents the first settlement OF America,
consisting OF FIVE figures: A hunter
rescuing a woman and child from the
murderous Indian, while by his side is
a faithful dog. Both works consumed
many years in execution, and cost s4S,- :
OOO. In the inches on the right and
left OF the great bronze door opening
into the rotunda, are the colossal statues
| of Peace and War. Peace is represent
ed by the Goddess Ceres, a gentle
maiden, with loose flowing robes and
sandals. In her right hand she bears
fruit, and in her left an olive branch.
War is represented by Mars, stern
warrior, attired in Roman toga, belt,
and tunic, with hamlet and sandals.
The tunic bears the symbols OF his vic
tins. Over the bronze door is basSo
relisro representing Fame and Peace in
the act OF placinga laurel wreath upon
the brow OF Washington.
The group Of figures on the east por-
tico symbolizes the progress OF ciyiliza-
| ton in the United States. The centre
figure represents America, with the ris.
| ing sun in the background. On her
right are figures of War and Commerce,
Youth and Education, Mechanics and
Agriculture. On her left the Pioneer,
the Hunter and the Aboriginal Race.
The east portico, in architectural de-
sign, dimensions, and material, is the
same as that of the north extension.
The portico is without statuary or sculp-
tured establishment. Yet with its
beautiful marble columns supporting
the entablature and surrounding pedi-
ment, it is grand in its nude proper
tions.
The Great Bronse Door,
designed and modelled in Rome. in 1858,
by Randolph Rogers, and cast in bronze
in Munich in 1860, fills the main door
way from the grand portico unto the ro-
tunda, The leaves or valves OF the door
which is double, stand in a asuperbly en-
riched casing, also OF bronze, and open
ed, fold back into suitable fitted jambs.
The height OF the door is nineteen feet,
its width nine feet; weighs 10000
pounds and cost $4,000. This great
bronze door IS a credit to the magnifi-
cence and magnitude of the Capitol.
The events portrayed on ii constitute
the principal events in the life of Co.
lumbus and the discovery OF America,
with an ornate enrichment of emblamat-
ic designs. On the key OF the arch OF
the casing is head of Columbus; q
very excellent piece Of iacile execution.
On the sides OF the casing are four ad-
.mirable typical statuettes, placed in
inches at the top and bottom OF the
door, and arranged chronologically; A,
Asia; B, Africa; G, Europe; ID, Ameri.
| ca. The rest OF the casing is embellish-
ell with a running order Of ancient ar
NOR, harness, and heraldic designs,
and at the bottom, on either side, an
anchor-all in baSsO reliero, and EN-.
blematic OF navigation and conquest.
On the frame of each leaf OF the door, set
in inches, are sixteen statuettes OF the
patrons and contemporaries OF Colum.
bus.
Passing through the great bronze
door the visitor stands under the lofty
canopy OF
the Rotunta.
The circuit of the sides is divided into
eight panels, SCI a 'ated by massive
Roman pilasters, supporting an entabla.
ture ornamented with wreaths OF olive.
A number Of historical paintings in the
rotunda represent the discovery and set
tlement OF North America and events in
the struggle for independence. The
domical ceiling, viewed from the pave
ment of the Rotunda, consists OF an in
ner shell, over which is the massive
iron covering OF the Dome. The cano-
py standing at height of nearly two
hundred feet is ornamented with a
variety of figures in fresco, combining
alegory and history. The central
group, which occupies the apex OF
the ceiling, represents deifica-
ton OF Washington, the Father
ef American liberty. On his right is
Freedom, and on his left Victory. In
the foreground are thirteen female
| figures representing the original States
OF the American Union. These figures
form a crown and support band upon
which are the appropriate words, T.
PiuribS Unum. The figures begin with
New Hampshire on the left OF Victory,
and follow in semi-circular procession,
according to their geographical order.
The drapery, decorations and coloring
are designed to indicate the products
and situation Of the State represented.
. round the base OF the canopy are six
emblematic groups, designed as an ale.
CORY OF the Revolution. They are
"The Fall OF Liberty" Agriculture" "
"Mechanics," Commerce" "Arts and
Science"
The Library Halls Of the United States
and their contents, and one United
States Supreme Court Room, would
each. in themselves be sufficient subjects
ior for lengthy letters, but they must
be deferred until another time. Also
the grand stair-cases, the elegant commit
tee rooms, the departments OF the various
officers Of the two bodies of Congress,
the numerous LOBBY and anti-rooms,
the immense corridors and the brilliant
reception rooms occupied by high dig
nitaries.
The Senate Chamber.