The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
ART LABOR Al THE CAPITOL
Lasting Work in Marble Shown in
Statuary Hall.
The Old Clock Illustrating History
Recording the Flight OF Time.
Notable Bns-R eIiefs-Fine Carv-
jnrs in the Old senate Chamber.

The his Try of the Capitol Building has
often bee,, told. yet, in examining old rec
ords relating to it. there is always found
something new. Multitudes know that
the magnificent structure was begun in
the year 1888: 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 familia? and
/ which. from their comparatively insight
fcant 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 I5-riella
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 to the
announcement Of some event in the an
nails of the country, and is apparently
ready to record II. Her attitude is in 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 hight OF time.
Another notable work Of art in the
Capitol Building which is said by con-
noiSeurs to attract less attention than is
due to its merits is the group represent
ing PocahontaS and Captain John Smith.
II is situated in the grand rotunda, over
| the western door. 1t is carved out of the
common gra.ite, by Capellano. an ltal-
ian artist and represents the iaterces-
sion of Pocahontas in behalf of Capt.
John Smith. Powhatan, her father, is
seated. and by his uplifted arm sus-
ponds the eager club of one OF the exc
cutioncrs. 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 irnmedi-
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 fe-
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 tomahawIl his
dark eyes cleaning. and his face distort-
ed with rage. and Boone is about Selling
the moment to plunge his hunting hnife
into his heart. The dead Indian at the
feet of the combatagts is beautiful
work of art, and his face in stone rep
resentS. in an extraordinary manner, the
lingering contraction of the countenance
from painful death. Formerly. 1t is
said, some WinncbaSo Indians. wild and
savage as those represented in this Llate
were on a visit to the seat Of Government,
and upon one occasion. they visited the
! Capitol. Standing beneath this represen-
fsr,f how. Il 70.
understand who was the victor and they
uttered a warlike shout of defiance. and
ran across the rotunda, disappearing by
the door over which is the figure Of the
beautiful PocahOntas.
''Penn's Treaty with the Indians is rep
resented in sculpture at the Capitol in a
manner which does not compete favorably
with other works Of art illustrating Amer
lean history. The group known as The
Landing at Plymouth is said to be of a
| grand order. There is efoquence in the