Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-07-01
statusry Hall.


The old hall Of the House OF Rep
resentatives, known as Statuary hall,
is one Of the most beautiful and i'm
posing rooms N the Capitol at Wash
ington. It occupies part Of the
space between the rotunda and the
present House of Representatives.
Like the supreme court room, it is
in the form OF q semicircle, and Its
dome-like ceiling is paneled, and fres-
coed in subdued, rich colors. II is
min ety-five feet in length, aud sixty
feet to the apex of the dome, from
which rises cupola through whose
windows light to the hall is admitted.
Around the semicircle is colonnade
Of native variegated marble, with
white Corinthian capitals. Back Of
the space formerly occupied by the
speakers chair, Is loggia, with eight
colossal marble columns, similar to
the others, supporting fine arch.
Within the tympanum of the arch is o
majestic figure Of Liberty, with ex-
tended hand holding scroll, while
beside her, with unfolded wings, is
our national bird, the eagle.
Above the entrance leading from
the rotunda, Is q beautiful piece of
sculpture representing the Muse Of
History on the winged Car OF Time.
The wheel OF the car is the dial Of o
clock. The figure stands with pen
and tablet in hand, and seems about
to record the events as time rolls on.
The whole Is supported by globe,
around which circles the zodiac.
By act Of Congress in 1854, this hall
was reserved for National Memorial
hall and each state was invited to
contribute two statues OF it's most dis
tinguished citizens in bronze or in
marble. A number of states have re.
spondod, and within its walls are
statues Of Ethan Allen, Robert Full
ton, Daniel Webster, George Wash.
ington, Alexander Hamilton, Henry
Clay, Abraham Lincoln and others.
Among the latest contributions is
the statue Of noted missionary Of
pioneer days from the state OF Mich.
igan. Maryland also sends one Of o
late senator, which stands shrouded in
white. waiting the usual unwilling
ceremonies.
Statuary hall has peculiar acoustic
properties. Words whispered in GER.
tain corners sound as If spoken aloud
in others, and conversation may be
carried on by persons whose faces are
turned to opposite corners OF the
room. Near the centre OF the floor, a
few feet apart, are two stones, which
afford an interesting puzzle to .
visitor. Persons standing upon these
stones and conversing are surprised
to hear the sound of their voices come
from above them, as II dropped from
the ceiling.
These are not the only pecnliarities
Of this hall. Inthe variegated marble
OF the. columns one can see, faces,
birds, plants and many other pic.
lures; often the Imagination is flexible
enough to recognize some Of these
faces as belonging to prominent legis.
lators and senators.
| The names % Webster, Clay,
Adams, Calhoun, and others as illus
trous, are closely associated with this
historic place. A room adjoining is
made memorable by the death within
its walls OF John Quincy Adams. A
metal star in the marble floor OF
Statuary hall marks the spot where he
fell, stricken with mental illness
during a session of Congress.
/ In the early years Of the war sol,
/ diers were quartered here, as in other
parts Of the Capitol, and the room was
also used as hospital for the sick
and wounded. !.