The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-27
UNDERTHEC APITOLD0NE
UNCLE SANS ART TREASURES
DESCRIBED BY A GUIDE.
A Delegation of Schoolooys Who Had
Seen 1t All Before-A Group Of Con
gressmen Study History ar Con.
Spinolas Expense.

GreSsmen study history ar Gen.
Spinolas Expense.
(Copyright 1887
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Tho first center
of attraction in the capitol is the great ro-
tunda. Strangers sauuter there before 60
ing elsewhere. 1t is directly banelth the
dome, and is the center of the largest build
ing on the western continent and Of what
is said to be the longest building in the
world. Including the new terrace, with its
storage rooms, it is $50 feet and l inch in
length The height Of the rotunda to
Brumidis great painting is 1870 feet and 3
inches. The visitors eye has hardly been
fastened on Trumbulls renowned pictures
before he is accosted Icy guide There are
eleven guides, and an appointment on the
force is secured with the greatest difficulty
The requisites would bar out the smartest
servitor OF civil service reform. They are
the only attaches of the capitol who draw
no pay Their reward is proportional to
the generosity of the visitors Congressman
make poor guides. Not one in a hundred
has seen the Capitol thoroughly. Fev at
tempt TO show it TO their visiting constitu-
ents, and those who do try il usually get
turn them over to Capt Jake Kennedy, the
most famous Of the squad. The captain is
an old soldier, and man OF remarkable in
telligeuce. He makes a study Of tho mar
wells Of the building, and is thoroughly coa-
versant with American history Ladies arc
charmed with his descriptions Of tho Old
paintings and brouZes His stories Of the
revolutionary heroes and of the statesmen
who laid the foundation # tue greatest gov
ernmeut on the face Of the earth arouse the
most dormant patriotism. Not long ago he
was talking with the Hon Robert J. Vance,
Of New Britain, when a number Of visitors
approached. They were b iEhl-eyed and
well-dressed. The leader presented the fol-
lowing letter:
To dny Guide at the Capitol:
DEAR SIR-As reward Of merit, AMI TO
refresh their memories Of American history
| have given the G scholars a half holiday
and this letter. Win you kindly sh W them
what is intere ting, and explain the illus
tratlOn of events in the history of the couE-
try! Yours truly.
MISS INGRAHAM, Teacher.
Mr.. Vance was evidently interested in
Miss Ingraham. for he employed the captain
to show the boys through the building.
"Now, boys" said the captain, II will
first show YOU the paintings IN the rotunda.
Here are four historic pictures They were
the military secretary OF Washington.
y GU know VINO Washington Vase he slid
turning t. a little fellow in kuickerb )ckers.
YES sir, was the surli reply. lilo wa;
first in war, first in peace and first in the
hearts Of his cOuatrymeu.n
This stag gered the captain. He had at
one time shown squad of the Seventh
regiment through the building, and he
was looking for the breakdown tnat usually
follows the Washington announcement to
the members of that regiment
"COl. Trumbull made tho paintings from
mem ry," he continued. ''He began them
in 1877, and they were placed in the capitol
in 1924 The first is the Declaration Of In
dependence. John Hancock sits in the
chair In front of the table stands Thomas
Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Seated
at the table at the extreme left Of the paint
ing is Benjamin Harrison, great grand
father of the President-elect. The man in
the rear wearing a hat is Stephen Hopkins,
Of Rhode Island the Irish Quaker. He
spent his money freely in the cause Of
American liberty. Have you ever seen the
picture before, boysN
Yes, sir,n three Of them replied. cts
in the History Of the United States
This, continued tle captain, pointing TO
the next picture, lis the surrender Of Gen.
BurgOyne to Gen. Gates at Saratoga Here
is Burgoyne rendering his sword TO Gates.
H SAID Pm only too proud to surrender to so
gallant a gentleman, who has won so we'll
deserved a victory Gel. Gates replied:
The victory is due TO the brave men with
mo, and returned the sword. The bravest Of
these brave men stands in front Of the can
vas clad III a hunting suit. Heis Col. John
Morgan Of Virginia, who commanded the
American sharpshoo'ers.
IS Benedict Arnold thereW asked one Of
the little fellows.
'He was in the battle.n the captain re-
piled, but TrumbIll lespised him so much
that he would not paint his picture. Be
hind the wheel of the canvas you see Gen.
Phil Schuyler. i a citizens clothes 1t was
by following his advice that Gates won the
battle. Did you ever see the picture before,
boysP
Z years old. My uncle down ia Manassas
has got it angling in his parlor.
The next picture continued the cap
tain, sis the surrender Of CORVALLIS at
Yorktown. Gen. Lincoln sits on white
horse. The man beside him, who wears the
red coat, is Maj 0 iara. Cornwalls was
50 mortified at his defeat that be sent in
O'Hara to deliver up mis- sword. Washing
ton detailed Gen. Lincoln 10 receive it. In
the background, upon the bay horse, you
sec Washington. On the rig { are the
American officers, and on the left are The
IIeucN oilceFS WIN count lGJgntIIDclu,
Admiral de Grasso, and tho Duke Lau2la.
who commanded the American cavalry.
Here among the American officers are
Lafayette, Baron 6teuben, Gen. Knox,
Mad Anthony Wayne, aud Col Alexander
Hamilton, who was killed. in a duel with
Aaron Burr There, boys" concluded the
captain, pointing to a little round face in
the group Of American officers as the pic
ture Of Col John Trumbul, the artist
why, how could he paint HIMSELF
asked tae smallest boy.
81 suppose 10 had n looking glass; The
captain remarked, and added: "D.d you
ever see the picture fore, boysp
"Why, yes sir replied one Of them;
"youl find one in every town in Virginia.
The captain passed 10 tAc next picture
This said he, lis Washington rpsiguing
his commission as commander. iu-chief Of
the army u the continental congress, as
sem Yled at Annapolis, Dec. %, 1883. Gel.
Thomas Mililn, Of Pennsy lvauia, was the
presiding officer lie stands behind the Ia
bic wearing u yellow vest. In front j,
Washington. You SEQ his commission IN bis
hand. Look up into the gallery there.
There stands Martha Washington and ncr
three grandchildren. TIE uniform that
Washington wore here you vii. Gud i1 tbs
national museum, up town. Did you over
see this picture hufOge, boysp
Eyes, SIR" one replied. my grand
mother worked 10 In wOrsted on canvas,
and my mother wouldn't part with it. It's
over IN the Shenandoah Valley.n
"a fanr 90 f.l. anfNI 20 Au al