The times., 1901-03-10
ART LABORAf THE CAPITOL
Lasting Work in Marble Shown in
Statuary Hall.
The Old Clock Illustrating History
Recording the fright of Time.
NotabIe Bas-R eIiefs-Fine Cary
inrs in the Old senate Chamber.

The history of the Capitol Building has
often been told. yet, in examining old rec
orIs relating to it. there is always found
something new. Mutitudes know that
the magnificent structure was begun in
the wear 1893; that the cornerstone was
laid bv the Father of his Country, and
that. in 1914 it was burned by the British;
and in 1915. the work of restoration COM
menced. But there are many minor points
of interest around the building with
which the public are not so familiar and
which. from their comparatively insight
ficant position escape any great share of
observation.
Standing. for instance. upon a globe of
marble. round which circle the signs of
the zodiac. in Statuary Hall. is the time
piece on which is elevated the graceful
figure of the Muse of History. Gardella,
an Italian, was the artist. Nothing in
this country" an earnest critic has said,
.'can exceed the gracefulness of this
statue, and the idea IS Of a happy order.
The Muse of History, with the fOlioS of
her calendar, has turned to listen so the
announcement of some event in the an
nails of the country, and is apparently
ready to record it. Her attitude is III per-
feet keeping and the marble out Of which
the whole is cut. is the finest italian.
The clock represents. with its Outstretch-
ed wings. the flight of time.
Another notable work of art in the
CaDitol Building which is said by con-
nOiSeurS to attract less attention than is
due to it's merits is the group represent
ing POcahontaS and Captain John Smith.
1t is situated in the grand rotunda, over
the western door. 1t is carved ont of the
common gra.ite, by Capeliano, an Ital-
ian artist. and represents the i1terces-
sion Of Pocahontas in behalf of Capt.
John Smith PnWhatan, her father, is
seated and ty his uplifted arm sus-
DeDdS the eager club of one OF the exc
cutioners The bending figure of the
young girl has been commented upon as
a masterpiece of art, and forms the
chief object in the group.
Boone and the Indians" is notable
group by Cansichi. An interesting story
in connection with this work was told by
the artist. Travelling upon one occasion,
he met with two Indians, who immedl-
ately attacked him. one he shot and then
advanced toward the second They met
over the dead body, and the artist has
well and vigorously portrayed the ie-
rocity Of the Indian, and the cool, De
liberate courage Of the intrepid white. In
the contrast of the faces of these two
men, brought into fearful connection, lies
the great merit Of this piece. 1t is the
history of the two races, represented by
the chisel of genius; the fierce revenge
OF the one; the calculating courage of the
other.
The Indian raises his tOmahawk his
dark eyes cleaning, and his face distOrt-
ed with rage, and Boone is about Seizing
the moment to plunge his hunting Knife
into his heart. The dead Indian at the
feet of the combatagts is a beautiful
work of art, and his face in stone rep
rasents, in an extraordinary manner, the
lingering contraction Of the cOuntenance
from painful death tOrneTly, IL is
said. some Winnebaso Indians, wild and
savage as those represented in this Llate,
We're on a visit to the seat of GoVerlmeu
and upon one occasion, they visited the
Capitol Standing beneath this represen-
tation of a fierce fight. they seemed to
understand who was the victor. and they
uttered a warlike shout of defiance. and
ran across the rotEnda, disappearing by
the door over which is the figure Of the
beautiful Pocahontas.
.'Penn's Treaty with the Indians is rep
resented in sculpture a. the Capitol in a
manner which does not compete fayOrdbly
with other works of art illustrating Amer
lean history. The group known as The
Landing at Plymouth is said TO be of
grand order. There is efoquence in the