Year: 1859

ine iolo"lhg description OF the new Senate
Chamber is given by the reporter for the Asso-
ciated Press:


The general aspect Of the hall light and graceful
IN shape and dimensions it similar to the new hall OF
Representatives, but to the eve appears more finely nro
portioned The style and character of decoration are
nearly the same in both houses except that in the
the tone of color much subdued The area of be
oor is so feet by As feet and of the by so feet the
unerence being occupied by continuous gallery around
% o ouI sues OF the apartment and capable of seating
lZOO persons. The inner or ceiling of iron 10 Af
win deep panels twenty-one of which filled witt
ground glass having in the centre of each pane cooref
medallion representing the printing press steam engine
eornucCpie and other symbols progress and
me llght IS supplied wholly through the window in the
roof and the effect is good, flood light falling on the
reverend sgnors the floor while the galleries remair
in hafshadow. The gas apparatus is placed above tba
ceiling so that the light streaming through the panes
seem like softened effect of sunlight.


The ceiling is 30 feet from floor but presents an
appearance of greater altitude 1t is encrusted with
floral and other embellishments in high relief and a
Of iron heloor of the chamber is covered with zon
yards OF tapestry carpeting having large pattern of
flowers on purpe ground. The effect is not unpeasn,
Had time permitted, carpet would have been manufac
red stars on buff ground. The Vice Presidents desk is


modest table of mahogany, unlike possible to the
marble bar on which the Hon. Speaker pounds The MA
ces OF senators are arranged in three circular rows


me spectators galleries are upholstered in drab dam
ASH rathef 100 blue IN tone for good effect. Ample ac-
commodatlon is supplied to the extent of ladies',
onng room Access to the galleries is attained throuob
doors OF maple, inlad with bronze. The gallery set
apart for the press is fitted with desks for about twen
ty persons and it is understood that no one will he ner


tted within it unless specially accredited by vice


When the dust of few sessions shall have taken the
gloss off it, and the genius loci had to settle himself
there can be little doubt this chamber will be found
every way more fitting than the old


The wings of the capitol being Roman Corinthian
order of architecture the interior fittings and decorations
approached by two grand sairways the East of Tenne
see marbethe West entirely of white marble of extreme
purity: Neither is yet completed but enough is shown
by the broad marble steps, the massive bansrades If the
same material and the superb columns with their Cant
tals heightened with bronze to indicate the magnif
cence OF the design. Both starways are lighted from
! the roof, with special adaptation to the walls being
covered with historical paintings This situation is
considered the most favorable in the building for the
execution OF some work of art recording deeds of
| history. " N "


The Senator's retiring room and ante.chamber are the
most highly finished rooms in the capitol They are in
totally different styles The retiring is entirely of
marble; the supported bv columns of
is impossible to desire any effect more chaste than tb
apartment presents with the cold glitter of its walls and
roof, ''unadorned adorned the most Three mirrors
inserted as panels in the wall each of dimensions
of 12O inches in height by 60 inches wide The
is excessive in onamentation, and is yet unfinished
The walls are divided by gilded work in reliey0 into
spaces for fresco paintings The domed ceiling of the
room is paneled each panel being filled with rosete of
punShed god The four spandrills and the the
dome nave categorical paintings executed superior
manner, and forming contrast certain medaIlions in
another portion of the building, where represents
celestial Oeng with dislocaed hip ard another the
dess of Melancholy dar cling the bolero


The Presidents and Vice Presidents apartments and
the Rooms enter from the level of the Senate
floor. All decorated few are finished but the
greater number incomplete in consequence of the
ton of Congress in Withholding supplies The corridors
and passages are likewise in progress of establishment
All are paved with encausc titles The arched roofs are
generally speaking, finished in geomerc designs enclos
ing landscape and heraldc devices. The walls are COW
ered with treliswork of flowers and foliage on which
cupids and Native American birds. beasts and creeping
things are ascending and descending with more or less
resemblance to nature Some of the flower and fruit
pieces are gems They might be cut from the wall and
| framed as originals OF Lance


The heating and ventilatng arrangements are said to
be the largest in the world those of the English House
Parliament not excepted Every portion of the capol-
that mountainous of marbles at once ventilated
and warmed by one apparatus. Eight boilers convey
steam TO COILS set in different places of the cearage
plying any required degree of heat and same time
motive power to two fans in either wing these
fans sends continual medcaed air through the
service for the Senate chamber The is graduated ac
cordng to the atmospheric temperature without and the
political excitement wthinduring eectonal debate
never to exceed 90 and ordinary occasions to
between O and 1872 Thirty thousand cubic feet of air
are circulated through the chamber per minute which
quantity may be increased to eighty thousand The ap-
paraus is completely under control Any proportion
moisture may be impaired from the delicious freshness
morning TO the feeling that preudes thunder shower
| or even till the atmosphere


| "Thaw and resolve itself into dew"


may be prudent add that is furnished
with tues and registers, Senator's the first symptoms
OF asPhynXa, protect themselves from the ndiscre-
| tion of operators


As regards the exterior of the edice ground is vet
in the possession of the workmen The approaches are
encumbered with keysones suggestive with disres
pect to the able officer in charge) of


Meigs among the ruins of Carthage.