Evening star., 1902-03-22
BEAUTIES OF THE CAPITOL.
Some of the Many Things That Please
the Eve.

A person OF discerning and appreciative
eye who looks for the beautiful i'm the
Capitol building will find something each
day to charm and crafty. The Capitol is
an old story, perhaps. to most who have
daily ado with its classic corridors, and the
indifference bred of familiarity may cause
them to overlook many of its beauties. But
for him who hath eyes and seeth there Is
much to please.
The most striking view to be obtained OF
the exterior of the Capitol. with its sur
roundings, is on a clear night, under n cold.
wind-swept sky, Standing in the plaza to
the east of the building, with the great
white structure in chill outline against the
dark background. it's noble proportions
seem more appreciable. The austere
straight lines of the main building blend
into the graceful curves of the dome, that
with mighty sweep lead upward, upward,
as if essaying to touch the keystone OF the
star spangled vault overhead. Dark, 81
lent, brooding. the majestic pile dominates
the scene.
From the terrace on the opposite side an
other striking picture is obtained. The eye
sweeps out Pennsylvania avenue for a mile.
over the bed OF asphalt that shmmers like
the surface OF water beneath the twin
rows of arc lights and the gaze fetches up
against the columns of the trrIsurys south
portico, diminished in the perspective, but
yet stately. Southwark OF the thorough
with points of light where the arc lamps
show through the trees. shadowy out
line on the western sky is the Washington
monument ghost OF monument by
night. Beyond that still twinkling line
of pin-pont lights mark the cavalry camp
at Fort Myer, where the army keeps watch
and ward over the capital
The interior of the Capitol is constant
study to those to whom beautiful architec-
ture appeals How is 1t possible for any
one to traverse the rOtunda without taking
in the magnificent proportions of the vast
cavity inside the dome? The head grows
dizzy as You look upward following the
cOnvergtng, circular walls until they round
together in the frescoed, conical ceiling
Can any one ever tire Of the classic stair
case Of white marble that leads from the
main to the gallery floors in the Senate
wing? Or of the score of noble COrinth thian
columns which support the main floor in
the basement of the House wing? Or the
pedtment of the eastern portico of the
Senate wing and the attendant pillars.
II the eye turns from the classic and
seeks color and softer outline. there are
the rich. warm decorations of the commit
tee rooms and halls in the now central por-
tion OF the building. Gold and red in law
ishness to set off the darker tinge Of ma
hogany: stained glass in the ceilings over
stairwayS with Cupids riotng amid fruits
and flowers; freScoed corridors where the
sunshine dims into a suhducd glow before
it traverSeS their length,
One can pick ont other things to chal-
lenge the admiration If they are sought.
There are bronze stairways in the private
entrances of the House and Senate wings
which probably are seldom noted by the
casual passer-by, yet are worthy Of closer
attention. There are Old portraits of de-
parted statesmen lining the corridors. half
forgotten and neglected. There are, OF
course, the historical and allegorical paint
ings throughout the building which appeal
to some, not to speak of that chamber Of
shivers- s-statuary hall.