CHAPTER II. THE CAPITOL AND GROUNDS-MONUMENTS AND STATUES-THE ROTUNDA-THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS-THE SENATE CHAMBER-THE NATIONAL STATUARY HALL-THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. N beauty of design, skill in execution, and advantage of situation the Capitol can challenge comparison with any public building in the world. In the midst of a beautiful park, standing on the crest of a hill ninety-six feet above the level of the Potomac, its lofty dome and stately columns are visible at a distance of many miles, and present to the eye of the beholder a picture of majestic beauty that can never be forgotten. Other public buildings of ancient and modern times may excel it in some particulars, but none give such an impression of grandeur and majesty. THE GROUNDS. The park surrounding the Capitol has an extent of forty-six acres, and has been artistically laid out under the supervision of Mr. Frederic Law Olmstead, of New York. It is surrounded by a low wall of granite, but the drives and pathways have been skilfully planned to give easy access to the building, whose beauties are veiled, but not hidden, by the luxuriant masses of foliage. The grounds afford many delightful spots for rest and retirement, and the Government has done much to make them attractive to the people. Pretty arbors and drinking-fountains and wide, comfortable seats are scattered in shady nooks, while the many varieties of trees from all parts of the world excite the admiration of the visitor. Several trees were planted by President Washington, and one of these, north of the Capitol, known as the Washington Elm, is still flourishing luxuriantly. In the southwestern portion of the grounds is a pretty tower erected at the mouth of the tunnel through which is drawn the supply of pure air for the Hall of the House of Representatives. It is covered with ivy and looks as though it were part of some ancient ruin. A similar tower northwest of the Capitol is used for ventilating the Senate Chamber. The slope of the hill west of the Capitol has been beautifully terraced, and the view obtained from this side is much finer than that from the east. The terraces seem part of the building, and the effect is that of a massive mountain of white marble crowned by the glist ening dome. Magnificent double flights of steps, forty-eight feet wide, lead to the upper terrace, which is nearly nine hundred feet long and sixty feet wide. It is enclosed by a marble balustrade adorned with elegant bronze vases for flowers. At the southwestern entrance to the grounds is a magnificent statue of President Garfield. The figure is of bronze, resting on a granite pedestal. The martyred President is represented as he appeared when delivering his inaugural address. At the base of the pedestal are three recumbent bronze figures representing a Student, a Warrior, and a Statesman, typical of the three periods of Garfield's life. The monument was erected by his comrades of the Army of the Cumberland, and unveiled May 12, 1887. The artist was J. Q. A. Ward, and the total cost was $65,000. THE NAVAL MONUMENT Is on Pennsylvania Avenue near the western entrance to the Capitol grounds. It bears the inscription, "In memory of the officers, seamen, and marines of the United States Navy who fell in defence of the Union and liberty of their country, 1861-1865." The upper figures are nearly nine feet in height and represent America weeping for the loss of her brave sons, while History is inscribing on a tablet the record of their illustrious deeds. On the front is a statue of Victory, holding aloft a laurel crown, and at her feet are figures of Neptune and Mars, typifying the Navy and the Marine Corps. On the back is a statue of Peace, extending an olive branch, while around her are emblems of her conquests. The monument is of Carrara marble resting on a granite pedestal, and is forty-six feet high. It was executed in Rome by Franklin Simmons from a design by Admiral Porter, and was unveiled in 1877. It was erected by the contributions of the Navy, amounting to $21,000, the pedestal, costing $20,000, being provided by Congress. THE NAVAL MONUMENT. Immediately west of the Capitol is the large bronze statue of Chief Justice John Marshall. The great jurist, clad in his robe of office and seated in the chair he used for so many years, is represented CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL. as delivering a judicial opinion. The pedestal is of Italian marble, and bears on its front the inscription, "John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. Erected by the Bar and Congress of the United States. A.D. MDCCCLXXXIV." Panels on the sides, with figures in low relief, represent Minerva dictating to Young America the Constitution of the United States, and Victory leading Young America to swear fidelity on the altar of the Union. Facing the grand central portico is the colossal statue of Washington, executed in Rome by Horatio Greenough, and placed in position in 1842. It is of Carrara marble, resting on a granite pedestal, and cost $45,000. Washington is represented as seated in a curule chair, his left hand holding a sheathed sword, while his right is extended toward heaven. The figure is partially nude, a mantle draping the body below the waist and extending over the right shoulder. The chair is adorned with statuettes of Columbus and Indian chief and with lions' heads and acanthus leaves. On the sides an. are designs representing Hercules WASHINGTON. strangling the serpents, and Apollo driving the chariot of the Sun. |