The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [766]
In the small Rotundo of the south wing, there are columns of the Tobacco, and, in the vestibule in front of the Hall of Representatives, of the Cotton order; because these staples have been selected as ornaments for their capitals, and are really not much inferior, in richness and beauty, to the Acanthus leaf of the Corinthian. It was the design of Mr. Latrobe, the former architect, to make this edifice national, and to render it so, as far as possible, by the introduction of architectural ornaments derived from the principal native productions of our country. He did intend, moreover, to support one of the galleries of the Senate Chamber with emblematic figures of the thirteen old states, decorated with their peculiar insignia, and the models were actually made by one of those fine Italian artists whom he had engaged to be sent to this country; but a neglect or refusal on the part of Congress to make the necessary appropriations, defeated his design.
THE LIBRARY.
Passing from the Rotundo, westerly, along the gallery of the principal stairs, the Library room door presents itself. This room is ninety-two feet long, thirty-four wide, and thirty-six high. It is divided into twelve arched alcoves, ornamented with fluted pilasters, copied from the pillars in the celebrated Octagon Tower at Athens. At the entrance, in the centre of the room, which is approached from the great central Rotundo, are two columns of stone, with capitals, corresponding with those of the pilasters, and immediately opposite and fronting the window which leads into the western colonnade, stand two similar columns of stone. These pillars, with alcoves, support two galleries, extending nearly the whole length of the room on both sides, and divided into the same number of shelved recesses as the lower apartment. From these recesses springs the arch which forms the ceiling, elegantly ornamented with rich stucco borders, pannels, and wreaths of flowers. On the roof, which is about ten feet above the ceiling, are three sky lights, the walls of which are beautifully decorated with stucco ornaments. The principal apartments, as well as the committee rooms, on the north, attached to it, are handsomely furnished with sofas, mahogany tables, desks, Brussels carpetting, etc.
The apartment for the accommodation of the Supreme Court, on the basement story of the north wing, immediately below the Senate room, is of a semicircular shape, with the windows to the east to admit the light, which enters awkwardly and feebly, at the backs of the judges, in the bench. The arches, in the ceiling diverge like the radii of a circle, from a point over the justice seat, to the circumference. On the wall is an emblem of justice holding her scales, in bold relief, and also a figure of Fame, crowned with the rising sun, and pointing to the Constitution of the United States. The members of the bar are conveniently accommodated with seats and desks in the body of the apartment; and the visiters are furnished with rows of benches on the right and left wings of the centre of the Court.
The Chief Justice sits in the centre of the six associate Justices — all clothed in black gowns or robes.
The want of a law library in the Court for immediate and convenient reference, for the use of the members of the Court, was certainly a defect. The room, though small in comparison to the principal apartments of the Capitol, is large enough for the business of the Court. There are, however, occasions when an interesting question or a popular orator, attracts a concourse of citizens, who in that case, may find some difficulty in procuring seats.
EAST FRONT — TYMPANUM.
The Genius of America occupies the centre of the