The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-30

s,one nv the .Rlchmond Lodge Of Free
Masors No i3.v ON the 18th Of August.
ifS5. The plan adopted was not accsp'aO,e
To the peopie or to the State authorizes. "
was said 60 be ugly, and not nj All adap,ea
20 the usee for which IL was intenoeu.
I'naor the circumstances IL was tbouent
hest 20 consult some one Of approved tas,e
and culture. and submit 10 the Incoh'en-
iences OF further delay rather than mahe /"
mistake in matter OF 50 mucn impor'anoe.
The building 10 be erected was 70 stanu
probably for centuries. and IL was uue "
The dignity and renowD OF the common.
eal,h that her new seat OF government,
should BE- adorned by an appropriate anu
attractive capitol.
MIR. JEFFERSON coNsULrE0.
MIR. jefferson was at that time American
Minister at the Court OF France. Aiter aus
consideration IL was decided that ne snouiu
| lao cousuIted on the all-absOrbing question,
osr,erIalIy as IL was found that important
| differences Of opinion existed between the
| Roard of Directors and some OF the Leading
mon ~ the state. He had been residing Tor
| scveyaI wears al the most brilliant capital IN
Furone. was known 10 be yersed IN the
science of architecture, and to be man Oh
treat taste and culture. lie was, therefore;
| very properly considered the person OF an
others best fitted for the performance OF tnis
delicate duty. A correspondence was AT
one. opened with him 10y the Board OF d.
rectors. represented chiefly by Messrs. Bu-
cbanan and Hay, and followed up by letters
| from Mr.. Madison and Mr.. Edmund Ran
dolpb. This was early in the year lio1.
MIR jefferson expressed in reply ms
cheerful acquiescence in the scheme;
and his entire Willingness 10
suit the wishes Of the directors. lie ola
not hesitate long in selecting model. lie
mad already Travelled much in France; had
not only learned much OF tne dones,lc anu
practical life Of the French people, but
meantime had admired and studied the
works OF art. ancient and modern, in which
that beautiful country so much ab0unded. In
his perambulatiOns he had been particular
ly attracted 20 the shores Of the Medilerra-
nean. 10 the cities and plains OfPrOsence, a
region rich in the lore and traditions OF the
Latin race. and Astounding In ancient re-
mains Of Roman civilization. III was at
one of these cities, standing in the glow OF
that delicious semi-trOpical climate that be
bad seen and "gazed with rapture upon
the well-preserved ruins OF an ancient
Roman temple. long before the subject OF
the capitol at Richmond had been brought
IN his LOtice. His mind at once reverted TO
the building that had but lately 50 charmed
his sensitive taste. "that most precious and
beautiful morsel Of antiquity still LETT 10
enchant the eye Of the modern world. This
was the famous Roman temple standing IN
the midst Of the city Of Nismes, in the south
| Of France, and now commonly known as
the "MaisOn Carrev or square house. IL Is
said TO have been built in the time OF Au-
eustus Caesar, and dedicated TO Marcus and
julius, his princely grandsOns. On writ
iug 10 the directors at Richmond, Mr.. Jefler-
son expressed bis desire for introducing
into the State an example OF architecture 10
the classic style Of antiquity" and adds
that be had applied TO publisher of draw
| ings Of the antiquities Of Nismes for model
of this beautiful structure 10 be made in
stucco, "only changing the order from Cor
! iuthian TO Ionic ON account Of the difficulty
| II COrinthian capitals"
The model was made and was shipped
from Hayre TO America in June, 1856,
having been sent by water from Paris
to that port for the sake OF safety.