The Irish standard., 1886-10-09
THE SPlTEFuL GODDESS.
Perilous Work of the Dasing Men who
Paint Her PEDESTAL.
Washington Star.l

& s
There is said to be a superstition attached
to the Goddess OF Liberty that stands si-
lently on the dome of the Capitol
Though it is not widespread, it is said to
be deeply rooted in some minds. Had Con-
gress decided to gild the goddess it would
perhaps have been found difficult to get
any one to undertake the task. 1t is well
known that when the dome was thorough
ly painted several years ago, the painter
who worked about the goddess lost his
reason, declaring that she had life, and
was possessed Of the spirit of the Virgin.
AT certain hour in the morning, very
near the moment of sunrise, there is one
point in the head-dress of the statue that
reflects back the light, appearing as a star.
It is only for short time that it can be
seen. Every morning this ensnared
painter would kneel in front Of the
Capitol and worship the star-crown ID
goddess as long as the star was visible.
Others are said to have come under the
influence of this bronzed goddess, and
have imagined that she exercised some
mysterious power over them, Some
imagine, it is said, that should they look
too often at the star that shines on her
forehead at morn they might suffer the
fate Of the poor painter. Aside from any
ignorant superstition, the man must have
considerable GO urage who clings to the
feet Of the goddess. They might anger
the dame or lose THEN. fcot-hold and be-
hurled to eternity. 1t has been suggested
to the superstitious mind that the man
who was found crushed on the roof of the
Capitol was trying to WOO the goddess,
r1r1,, han Il nv
should she not be another Aphrodite? At
all events the goddess, OF perhaps it is the
great height is apt to turn the head of
man who climbs up there. 1t is q very
dangerous undertaking, and few men
have the nerve to attempt it. But the
dome has to be painted, and there are
thirty painters constantly employed to
climb all over the dome and the roof of
the building to renew the paint where it
is cracked and to clean away the rust
Two or three OF these men venture
to kneel at the feet Of the goddess.
Since she is not to be dressed in
gold, they will not have to
venture further than to her feet To
render this undertaking less dangerous
they have bound strong cables tight about
her ankles, and they will probably climb
up with safety if she doesn't get angry
and cast OFF the cords. From these cables
strong scatfolding is being fastened to the
white pillars just beneath her feet, which
it is the purpose to paint. The dome and
all below the goddess will be gone over
here and there with the brush. Tt takes
about one hundred and fifty men, con-
santly employed, to carry on the repairs
and Improvements to the. capitol build
ings and grounds. A hundred of these
arc now being employed on the new ter
races. On account of the long session Of
Congress the working season will be very
short. 1t is expected, however, to COM
plete the marble terrace OIL each side as
far as the beginning of the grand stair
case. The work will then have to be post
poned on account Of the session of Con-
gress. It is expected that about three
years will be required to complete the
whole thing The only other work out
side Of the ordinary repairs tn at will be
done during the recess is to rearrange the
heating apparatus Of the Senate, SO as to
extend it into the terrace.