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By Root 15796 0

and one half acres — the building stands on the western portion of this plat, and commands, by the sudden declivity of the ground, a beautiful and extensive view of the city, of the surrounding heights of Georgetown, etc. and of the windings of the Potomac as far as Alexandria.

The exterior exhibits a rusticated basement, of the height of the first story; the two others stories are comprised in a Corinthian elevation of pilasters and columns — the columns thirty feet in height, form a noble advancing portico, on the east, one hundred and sixty feet in extent — the centre of which is crowned with a pediment of eighty feet span a receding loggia of one hundred feet extent, distinguishes the centre of the west front.

The building is surrounded by a balustrade of stone and covered with a lofty dome in the centre, and a flat dome on each wing.

Dimensions of the Capitol of the United States, and its Grounds.

The ground within the Iron Railing, twenty-two and one half acres. Length of Foot Walk, outside of Railing three-quarters of a mile and one hundred and eighty-five feet.

THE BUILDING IS AS FOLLOWS:

Length of Front, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

352 feet 4 inches

Depth of Wings, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

121 do. 6 do.

East Projection and Steps, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

65 do

West do.do. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

83 do.

Covering one and a half acres, and one thousand eight hundred and twenty feet.

Height of Wings to top of Balustrade, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

70 feet.

Height to top of Centre Dome, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

145 do

Representatives' Room, greatest length - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

95 do.

Representatives' Room, greatest height, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

60 do.

Senate Chamber, greatest length - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

74 do.

Senate Chamber, greatest height - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

42 do

Great Central Rotunda, ninety-six feet in diameter, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

96 feet high.

The North Wing was commenced in 1793, and finished in 1800, cost - - - - - -

$460,262 57.

South Wing commenced in 1803, and finished 1808, cost - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

308,808 41

Centre Building commenced in 1818, and finished in 1827, cost - - - - - - - - - -

957,647 35

———————

Cost of building the Capitol - - - - - - - - - - - -

$1,746,718 33

* Including all alterations to 1814.

The Representatives' room is in the second story of the south wing — is semicircular, in the form of the ancient Grecian theatre — the chord of the longest dimension is ninety-six feet — the height, to the highest point of the domical ceiling is sixty feet. This room is surrounded by twenty-four columns of variegated native marble, or breccia, from the banks of banks of the Potomac, with capitals of white Italian marble, carved after a specimen of the Corinthian order, still remaining among the ruins of Athens; which stand on a base of freestone, and support a magnificent dome painted in a very rich and splendid style, to represent that of the Pantheon of Rome, and executed by an interesting young Italian artist, named Bonani, who died about twelve years ago. In the center of this dome is erected, to admit the light from above, a handsome cupola; from which is suspended a messy bronze gilt chandelier, of immense weight, which reaches within ten feet of the floor of the chamber. The speaker's chair is elevated and canopied, and on a level with, the loggia or promenade for the members, consisting of columns and pilasters of marble and stone. Above this, and under a sweeping arch near the dome, is placed the model of a colossal figure of Liberty, by Caucici, (in