The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-08-12
PART III.
CORRIDORS AND RoTUNDA.

CORRIDORS AND RoTUNDA.
Some Printers, Marks-Symbolic Bas-reIiefs.
Elaborate Establishment of the Rotunda.
American Sculptors
IN VIEWING THE DECORATIONS
of the Congressional Library one is very
much puzzled to understand series OF
- compositions introducing great variety
of figures in the form of hieroglyphics-
heads. symbols and flowers and utensils OF
various sorts These are the marks OF famous
printers of the 18th. 10th and 18th centuries.
Each publisher had his own particular design
which he placed on the title page OF his pub
lished books, which, before the days OF copy
right. guarded them against counterfeit
editions.
There are in all Sc printers marks. Those
In the east corridor are Italian and Spanish;
ia the west corridor, German: In the north
corridor. English, Scottish and American,
and in the south corridor, French. Some OF
them are beautiful in design and Others gro
tesoue. as the theme or the fancy OF the
artist dictated.
The bas-reliefs i'm the north and south
vaults are feminine figures representing
Ancient Prophetic Inspiration. The Greek
eibyl is represented in a trance revealing the
messages transmitted through her. She is
the source of religion, wisdom, literature, art
and victory, typifed in the figures among
her auditors The Roman sibyl is old and
wrinkled She holds a long scroll I'D her lap,
one of the Sibylline books OF Roman history
The figure of Roman General on one side
and priestess Of art and literature on the
other. holding an end of the scroll. complete
the composition.
On the opposite side is the Scandinavian
yala. or wise woman. with streaming hair
and wolf skin draping her head and shout
ders. The white wolf was the symbolic AMI
mai of the old Norsemen and those who have
read Charles Kingsley's Hereward the
Wakem will recall the vivid pictures of the
Berserkers. of whom this goddess was the
guardian. A Morse warrior is in the back
ground, and nude woman stretched upon
the ground to the right signifies the vigorous
life and genius OF the northern nations.
Greek inspiration in the north corridor is
represented by tie priestess of the Oracle OF
Apollo at Delphi. seated upon tripod, whose
sacred fumes incite the spirit of prophecy.
On one side an old man represents science
and philosophy writing on tablet: on the
other side is a nude female figure typical OF
art and literature.
The Persian sihyl is vailed, and suggestive
OF tne occult genius o1 Tue IsiSt, ioNifSo Ny
the apostles of modern Theosophy. The
spirit of the East is expressed in her luxuri-
Gus garments ard fillet, necklace, armlets
and anklets of pcarl and gold. AT her feet
man lies PROSTATE, typical of the religious
devotees who speIsd their lives in contemplate
ing the attributes of universal wisdom.
BEAUTIFUL FORMS.
The figures which represent Pompeiian art
In contrast with Greek and Roman forms are
strikingly beautiful, floating geniuses on red
backgrounds These two styles are used
throughout the entire building. The walls
Sof the corridors are broken by multiplicity
of windows, doors and pilasters, and the
spaces at the north and south are colored a
plain olive, and the east and west with rich
Pompeiian red ornamented with simple
arabesques
A group of eight Virtues introduces grace
full feminine figures clad in classic garb and
life size. Each figure is accompanied with
her appropriate symbols. Fortitude wears
the casque and cuirass, with buckler on her
arm, fully equipped for sudden danger. JUS
tice holds globe in one hand and lifted
sword in the other Patriotism, purely
American, is feediag an eagle from gilded