Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-09
LIVING FOR AGES.
THE CAPITOLINE HERCULANEUM
treasures In the Crypt and Vaults Under
the Capitol ROtunda.

~ account of the demand for storage
zThG space for the congressional library Mr.
"A III Clarke, the chief architect in charge of
a The Capitol building. is now preparing
~ for general clearing out of the crypt
vaults and room space Immediately under the
central dome. This portion of the crypt or
sub-basement has been kept locked from the
general public on account OF the valuable his
torical works of art stored there. A STAR rep
resentative made a tour of this subtcrranean
museum the other day.
The first object OF historical interest that
sonfronts the visitor is the tomb of Washing
ton, Immediately under the center stone of the
floor of the rotunda, the exact center of the
building. 1t is a small, square vault-like ROOM
with about two-thirds of Its side walls deeply
recessed in arched alcoves or rather more like
the recessed reliquary chambers in the tomb
of Napoleon. This vault was built up in the
masonry of the base walls of the building, and
designed tomb for the immortal Wash
ingtOn." but other influences of more senti-
mental nature defeated the object. In the
center Of this tomb rests a catafaIque covered
with black velvet that adds to the sepulchral
appearance of the surroundings. On occasions
when 1t Is desired to lay our iustrious dead
in state" at the Capitol this catafalaue is
placed IN the center of the rotunda for the
purpose. 1t was used for Thaddeus Stevens
Lincoln Sumner. Garfield. Logan and other
statesmen from time to time.
GODDESS OF LIBERTY.
In an adjoining yaulted room is the plaster
cast of Craufords Goddess of Liberty from
which Clark Mills cast the bronze figure that
surmOunts the dome of the building. Even in
Its dlsjolnted parts one is impressed with its
colossal proportions, il being 10 iret inches
high the bust alone being taller than orr
selves. 1t Is being preserved in moderately
fair condition, from which, if 1t ever becomes
necessary. another bronze figure could be re-
produced.
In another room are the plaster statues of
Alexander Hamilton. ThOs II. Benton and also
a sitting figure OF Hamilton by the artist Stone
Inc marble Inquire was executed from the statue
model of Hamilton which stands in a niche in
the wall on the north corridor of the Senate
wing. The sitting figure was declined by the
JOINT library committee. The statue model of
Benton has never been executed ill marble. as
was designed 1t is considered by some as a.
work OF great merit. and il is thought that the
people OF Missouri. no doubt. would take stems
10 have II wrought in marble if they knew of
Its whereabouts. These models belong to the
Stone representatives and will, III a short while.
be removed from their present resting place
Contiguous to these statues are the model
bnsts OF Stanton, Wayne of Georgia not ex-
ecuted IN marble, together with II large coliec-
ton Of models of those that have been put in
marble and now occupying pedestals and
inches III various parts OF the Capitol building
and other public places, among which is that
OF Chief Justice fancy, III the council room of
the Supreme Court.
VICE PRESIDENTS AND SPEAKERS.
In accordance with the provision for placing
busts and portraits of all the Vice Presidents
and Speakers in the gallery of their respective
chambers the architect has received in his
olhce for the consideration OF the committee
the model bust OF John {. Calhoun by The
dore Mills; Hannibal Hamiin. by Franklin SIM
mons. and Daniel Tompkins of New York Mr.
Clarke speaks of the Calhoun bust "a being
particularly artistic in all its details while thai
OF Franklin and 1Ompkins are equally fine
only lacking the striking personal individ-
uallty. The reasons why the collection of the
Speakers busts cannot be completed are as
singular as varied In relation to securing
portrait of Nathaniel Mason of Georgia Speaker
OF the House of the seventh Eighth and
Ninth Congresses. the architect corresuonded
with parties in North Carolina and Macon. Ga
which was named after the eX-Speaker, but
could learn nothing relative to a portrait of
HIM. and only recently from one of the faculty
OF randolph Macon College at Ashland Va
ne learned OF the singular antipathv that tho
old statesman had against having his portrait
made. 80 the architect will have to content
Il "a
traIt placed to his memory in the Speakers gal
lery.
In general summary of the remaining CON.
tents OF these vaults are hundreds of unknown
busts. medallions and designs relating 10 the
establishment of the Capitol such .s
arabesques, rosettes, foliated capitaIs and
beautifully wrought caryatIdes while many of
the medalllons are of exquisite workmanship
Among the general collection are also found
the models used In drawing many of the access
sores In the famous picture Westward Ho."
on the wall at the western gallery stairway Of
the House wing.
PAINTINGS.
In various portions OF the crypt are paintings
Of large size in boxes waiting for their owners
to claim them. Among them are the First
Nebraska Homestead" by lady who desired
to present 1t 20 the governments; Rescue of
Greedy" by Operti, and ''Furthest North the
subject of which is two of Greely's officers TAX
ing observations. The life-size portrait of
Grant was claimed by donee Of the
proprietary artist short time
since. 1t had quite history.
An artist procured letter of introduction TO
Gen. Grant from western Senator during the
war. Upon the faith of a simple letter Of in
PRODUCTION he proceeded to the generals head
quarters to execute him ON canvas in oil
Alter the painting WAS finished he delivered it
at the Capitol with bill for a good round sum
which was promptly and persistently ignored.
The painting was removed to the crypt in the
vault IN which occurred the gas explosion some
years ago. The artist then claimed $3.50 for
damages to his picture, which upon examina-
tIon was found TO be unscathed and unhurt
FINALLY patience and perseverance succumbed
under repeated failures to secure pay fer a
painting never ordered and he gave it to
friend, who rescued the derelict There is a
great deal of quaint history of hopes and dsap-
Pointments connected with vast deal of this
accumulation of works that were once thought
TO have sprung from the brains Of genius. but
IN after years were found to be illusory dreams
OF either ardent hopes or pinching necessities.
Every name counts. Make your protest ogains
mdnytdttyhter at gTdde crossings SION The pefi