National Republican., 1881-11-19
CAPITOL TERRACE.
HOW TWILL LOOK WHEN FINISHED.
An Interesting Letter from tho Landscape Engineer
In Charge Of the lmprorcment-Its Eject
on the Building-Advaniagcs
OF the Terrace.
Tho following letter from Mr.. Fred Law

The following letter from Mr.. Fred Law
Olmstcd landscape engineer, under whose direc-
ton the Capitol grounds have been improved, will
appear us an appendix to the report of Mr.. Edward
Clark architect of the Capitol extensions:
When the new wings Of the Capitol had been
built much oii,s due value was evidently lost be-
cause ut the inCOngruous objects by which II was
surrounded aud the uniavornble circumstances
under which IL had to bc observed. Congress then
ordered the demolition Of the nearest adjacent
buildings and design to be prepared for suit
able laying out of an enlarged Capitol ground. AT
this time the earth thrown out from the iounda-
tons, having been heaped up within gcomcric
outlines aud grassed over, had begun to be known
us tho terrace In the climate Of Washington n
sembancc OF turf laid on steep formal bank is
often for long periods as devoid OF yeTdure or OF
any quality Of beauty OF architectural dignity as a
dust heap. Under the most favorable circum-
stances IL must appear but shabby
MAKE SHIFT FoR TERRACE
suited to the situation and adapted, such ter.
race would be, to support and augment ihe grand
effect of so august structure Us the Capitol The
term thus rather suggests what Is lcil lacking than
what is supplied by the carthwork in question. AT
once impressed with this consideration, when |
had the honor to be asked TO prepare plan for
laying ont the ground my first stepwas TO ask your
assent. as Architect of the Capitol, TO the intro
duction of feature nt the base ofthe building de-
signed to remedy this defect Your assent having
eral character of the structure for the purpose pro-
visionelly agreed upon, the entire plan OF the
GROUNDS was uttprNNTu WORKED out WIN COtlSthnt
reference to It, Before presenting the plan to the
Joint committee of ofCongrcSs having oversight ofthe
work. scailolds were set up to indicate the dinen-
sions Of the proposed terrace and 10 aid Judg-
ment of
ITS EFFECT on THE BUILDING.
The committee, nNer taking counsel with you,
called In also with reference TO the particular
question fthe terrace your venerable predecessor,
Mr.. Walters, and the then Architect ofthe Treasury,
Mr.. Potter, both of whom warmly supported tile
proposition. After prolonged consideration the
entire plan approved uu1 faNOnDlN rpuOrtpd
by the committee without dissenting voice and
subsequently, adopted by Congress Photographic
copies OF the plan and the prospective sketch OF
the terrace have since been widely distributed
In the several years that they have been under re-
view but one criticism Is known 10 have been
drawn out II assumes that the terrncc would in-
jnriOusy intercept views of the lower part of the
Capitol building us II now stands, II the asSump.
tion were sound it should have condemned the en-
tire plan Of the grounds, since mainly carried into
execution. To understand its unsouifdnesS II uceds
TO be considered that the full proportions aud
beauty of great building like the Capitol can
only be comprchendcd from distance at which
its various parts will fall into
A SATISFACTORY PERSPECTIVE
Accordingly, in planning the grounds aftor deter.
mining us before stated upon the general char
acter Of the terrace the next step was, again in
consultation with you as the architect, TO fix upon
twelve points of view from which the Capitol
would be seen to advantage in ns many different
aspects. The route and grade of the various roads
and walks leading IN from the several points of
entrance determined by the abutting streets; the
shaping OF the surface elsewhere and the disposi
tion ortho trees aud shrubbery upon 1t, as well as
the planning Of the terrace In more detail, was
then determined in studous adjustment to these
points Of view, being taken OF course that no
part Of the building should be undesiribly OBJ
scurcl from any Of them. Toaccomplsh the object
the thrmCC was SO designed that Its upper line
wouli, 9t critical points, be few inches below
the height of the present earthwOrks and these,
from any point at which u pleasing full view of
the Capitol can be had will be found to barely OBJ
scure tic granite base stones upon which the
MARBLE WALLS OF TIE CAPITOL.
easil be made by any one interested which will
show the alleged objection to be grOundlcSs. Con-
sidcring that the motive which has mainly con.
trollcd the outlay of more than ten millions of
dolHr the Capitol is that of investing the Halls
Of Congress aud the Supreme Court with suitable
dignity and beauty, II will he found that the sum
required for adding the proposed terrace will, as
the entire structure now stands, accomplish more
to that end than an equal amount has done any
where heretofore expended on II.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE TERRACE BEING SUPPLIED:
First-'lhe western front oftho building will np-
pearns standing on much iirmer base, and thus
gain greatly in the supreme qualities OF stability,
secoud-rhe marble mass being larger in all its
dimensions ns well as more firmly planted will no
counlcnance by its crowning feature, the dome.
,oirh,iirrd Ihiird-IhS opportunity oil the higher
eXposnre Sip5 and w rsprs%dnr Sp senal Wa
Tied, and charming landscape of the Potomac
fronl, now lost 10 most who visit the Capitol, Will
be turned TO profitable account, and the more so
because OF the freedom of the west side from the
disturbance of carriages, and the immediate pres.
ence OF foreground harmonious In forms and
color with the distant Virginia horizon.
Fourh-Thc larger part of the city, the Execu-
tive Mansion, and the other Government buildings
will no longer appear to tail off 10 the rear of the
Capitol, but what has been considered its rear will
be recognized us its more dignifed and stately
front.
Flth-Yet another gain Is to be accomplished by
the terrace, the value of which Is not perhaps as
readily to be appreciated in advance as those above
enumerated but which Is assured by much eXpe-
rience. II is the augmentation of architectural
effect In structure of classic STYLE where there
stands ntCrpOsed between II aud the adjacent
ground considerable feature, partaking of its
leading characteristics and extending its material,
yet carrying up toward 1t some outgrowths, as 1t
were, of natural decoration.
OF the advantages of the terrace, as planned
otherwise than with view TO architectural effect,
will briefly refer TO two only:
First--lhe increased convenience which it will
offer to all visiting the Capitol coming from the
west OH foot.
Sccoud-The provision which It will afford OF
spacious, dry, proof and otherwise secure and
suitable exterior vaults for the storing, hand
ling, and using of coal and all other supplies
needed for the business Of the Capitol, but which
cannO be brought within its walls proper without
also bringing dirt, noise, and confusion too near
its halls and Offices,