DESCRIPTION mwMs. I^lkgorital lamfmg WITHIN THE CAl^OPY OF THE ROTUl^DA. BY S. U. •W-yHTII, Author of the "Federal City; or, Ins and Abouts ofWashington,' " Harry Bright, the Drummer Boy," etc., etc.- WGTl SA-X^XS 11^ THE CA.I»I'X'OX<, WASHINGTON t Gibson Brothers, Printers 1868. ■ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by GIBSON BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia, Gift W. I*. Shoeiaaker 7 S '06 r>E!SCK,II»TI01V BY B R U M I D 1, WITHIN THE CANOPY OF THE ROTUNDA. To an American the Rotunda of the Capitol is replete with interest. He feels his heart beating within him as he treads the solid floor. Pictures, and works in alto i-elievo, crowd on the sight, and, from them all, come glimpses of proud historic teachings. Up, still higher, above the painted iron caissons, which, like huge plates of overlying mail, approach the far-away roof, 180 feet, the fresco by Brumidi arrests the gaze, as though the sky had opened, and it were permitted to look into the " Beyond." Clouds of gold, azure, and rose, seem hanging there, spanned by a rainbow, and, floating among them, forms of exquisite beauty. Grand mythological figures, symbolizing Force and Progress, appear there too, Titanic — majestic ; almost appalling with their great significance. The calm glorious faces of the great American dead, also look down with eyes that seem living eyes, from out the mysterious dizzy height of the huge concave. The Dome consists of two shells of iron ; an outer and an inside shell. The outer shell is pierced with openings. Ee- Sectors are so placed, that the admitted"light falls full upon the inside of the Canopy, and illumines the picture. At night, a circle of 425 gas jets (that are ignited by electricity) surround- ing the base of the Canopy, fills this portion of the Dome with light brighter than that of day. A stairway winds up between the two shells, and views of the picture can be obtained at diflferent heights. Just beneath THE FEDERAL CITY. the base of the Canopy a railed gallery traverses the circuit of the Dome. There is also another gallery, considerably lower down, surrounding the Eotunda. CENTRAL GROUP OF THE PICTURE. Washington, the Saviour of his Country, apotheosized, appears seated in majesty. On his right is the Goddess of Liberty, and, on his left is a winged idealization of Victory and Fame — sounding a trumpet, and in triumph displaying the victor's palm. Before the three, forming a semicircle, are thirteen female figures. The head of each is crowned with a star. They hold up a ribbon banner on which is inscribed, E Pluribus Unum. These figures represent the thirteen sister States of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Con- necticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and KnoDE Island — the original British Colonies — that fought, and bled, and conquered — winning freedom, and the right to sing and shout the glad " morning hymn " announcing the coming dawn of man's Millennial Day. The coloring of the drapery, the forms, and the attitudes, of these figures, and the leaves and blossoms entwined in their hair, betoken the States they represent. The subdued delicate green of the Northern States changes to brighter and deeper tints, until they warm into golden hues. There is symboled the grass and maize of the North, the wheat of the West, the tobacco of the Middle States, and the cotton of the South. Signer Brumidi, in his grouping of the States, has linked them together geographically, and not according to the order in which they adopted the Federal Constitution. The figure on the extreme left of Washington represents New Hampshire, then in semicircular sweep succeed Massachusetts, Ehode Island, Con- necticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Dela- ware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. THE FEDERAL CITY. Below this centre group are six others, surrounding the base of the Canopy. The first, occupying the west, is WAR. Feeedom, terrible in vengeance, with upraised sword, is striking down Tyranny and Kingly Power. They are over- come, and fleeing from her wrath in dismay ; with them is Anger, and also Revenge and Discord bearing the incendiary torch. An angry Eagle, striking with his beak, is fighting for, — and by the side of, Freedom. The second, is A G-RI CULTURE. This conception, in all its details, is softly beautiful, as the other is sublime in its exhibition of, destructive power. Ceres, the Goddess of Harvests and the Fields, with the Horn of Plent}^, is in the centre. Young America, with Liberty Cap, of red, the bonnet rouge of France, having under his control a pair of vigorous horses hitched to an American Reaper, in conscious pride is exhibiting his skill. The back ground is a luxuriant mass of prolific American vegetation. Flora is gathering flowers, and, lingering near, is a child. Beyond is Pomona with a basket of fruit. Then, succeeds MECHANICS YuLCAN, the old stalwart Tubal Cain of Grecian mythology, is the colossal genius of this group. His right foot rests on a cannon. THE FEDEEAL CITY. Machinery, forges, mortars, and cannon balls, strewn around, remind us of forging thunder bolts, as well as of combat with, and victory over, the giant forces of nature, and making them subservient to human v/ill, and purposes. The next, and occupying the east, is COMMERCE. Mercury, the Protector of Travellers and Merchants, holds in his hand a bag of gold, to which he is directing the attention of Egbert Morris, the Financier of the American Eevolution. It was he who guided to a successful issue the entangled pecuniary embarrassments of our country in its struggle for independence. Alas ! for himself, he died a bankrupt, and in confinement for debt. Boxes of merchandise, and bales of goods, with men at work among them, are to be seen. Two sailors point to a gunboat in the distance. The group beside this, symbolizes the MARINE. Neptune, in marine state, bearing his trident, in his car, accompanied by his charioteer and attendants, is emerging astonished from the deep. The beautiful Aphrodite, [Yenus], born of the sea foam, half risen from the waves, holds in her hand the Atlantic cable, given her by a winged cherub, and is about dropping it into the sea. The last, is THE FEDERAL OITY THE ARTS AND SCIENCES. Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, stands gloriously promi- nent, with helmet and spear, as she sprang, full grown, from the brain of Jupiter. In meek attitudes, but with glowing faces, attentive to her teachings, are Benjamin Franklin, Printer and Philosopher, Robert Fulton, of Steamboat renown, and S. F. B. Morse, the generally acknowledged inventor of the Magnetic Telegraph. There are also boys, with wondering eyes, and expressive gestures, listening to the instructions of a school teacher. This painting covers an area of 4664 square feet. The circumference of the base of the Canopy is 205 feet, 4 inches; its diameter is 65 feet, 4 inches, and its height from base to top, in a straight line, is 20 feet, 7|- inches. [These dimensions were obtained at the office of Edward Clark, Esq., present Architect of the Capitol Extension and the New Dome, a pupil of the Designer and former Architect, Thomas U. Walter, Esq.] An art critic has remarked of this fresco : " That, whether considered as regards the conceptions of the artist, the perfection of coloring and drawing, the faultless grouping, or the peculiar characteristics that adapt it to the concave surface on which it is painted, and to the great distance from which it must be viewed, the picture is a master piece of art. "In foreshortening, coloring, and proportion, its position has required the study of effects to be produced at an altitude of nearly two hundred feet, and Mr. Brumidi, in addition to his powers of genius, has been obliged to bring into requisition the learning and mature study of the highest schools of art." THE FEDERAL CITY, Signer C. Brumid^ It is natural to desire to know something of the artist to whom we are indebted for this painting. Signor C. Brumidi is an Italian, and was born in Rome in 1811. He came to America in 1852, and is a naturalized citizen of the United States. He has been mainly engaged for years in ornamenting various portions of the walls of the Capitol, and his name will ever be associated with the history and beauty of our world- renowned national building. He recently also painted the frescoes which adorn the Cathe- dral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in Philadelphia. Coat of the Picture, etc. The amount of appropriation made for this fresco picture was forty thousand dollars. The preparation of the plaster ground-work for the artist, requiring the most careful judgment, was the work of Mr. Joseph Beckert, who also prepared the wall for Lcutze's picture of "Western Emigration" above the western staircase leading to the gallery of the Hall of the House of Eepresenta- tives. The wall preparation for these two pictures was, how- ever, very different — one being for a fresco and the other for a painting in stereochrorne. The stairway still continues its ascent above the picture, and traverses the top of the Canopy, between the two shells, until it reaches the "Tholus" or "Lantern" a- top of the Dome. Around the base of the Lantern, outside the Dome, is a circular railed gallery, or promenade, from which is a view, on all sides so magnificent, that it will never be forgotten by any who have climbed the height. No visitor to the "Federal City " should fail to avail himself of the privilege of making the ascent, which, though long and wearisome, is unattended with danger. For sale in the Capitol : Cljc Jfbfral fit^; or, |ns niiii %{m\ts of SSlHsjimgton. Published by Gibson Brothers, 271 and '11.', Pcnnsyh'ania Avenue, ■•KKKRg KOll Tin-; nOOK SUPPLIED BY THE PUBLISHEKS. PiilCE 75 CTS A NUMBEK. QpfniQns Q)f the Press. Fi-om the " Washington Chronicle." " Webave froui the publishers, 'The Federal City ; oit, [ns axd Aboutsof Wash- ington, BY S D Wyeth,' and very chcerliilly- do \vc say of this brochure, that it is the A'ery best wc have ever read of the kind. if ihe wretched catch-penny publications about Washington and the Federal Capilal could be collecttd iind committed to the flames, it would be a public service; especially now, when the District of Columbia has entered upon a new career, and when everything written or done about it should be carefully written and thoughtfully done These pages are evidently tlic work of a scholar. There is no bombast, and no straining for fine writing; but evident industry and a desire to bo accurate. The type, paper, printing, etc., are indicative of a determination to make the woi'k standa;d We copy in our present issue, as a specimen of Ihc descriptive power.s of .Mr. W'yktu." his sketch of the United States Sena'.e." From the " National Intelligencer." '• We have received the first number of 'The Federal City : oit, Ixs axd Ahohis OF Washington, by S. D Wyeth,' which is to be completed in seven more. It is printed in large type, on fine paper, and liberally illustrated. " The author's style is clear and graceful, and he has given us, within ii hundred pages, a vast ainount of information — historical, statistical, and reflective — which will not only serve as an efficient guide for all visitors to the capilal, bnc must be very valuable as a permanent work, for reference, for all time to come '• The illustrations are beautifully executed, and a true taste is exhibited in making the principal one a photographic copy of Vanderlj'u's celebrated painting of ' The Landing of Columbus ' — one (and the first in point of time) of the eight great historical pictures which adorn the Capitol This fine photograph is by Gard.\er, whose works are well known all over the country, and wc have, thus, instead of an engraving, an actual reflex of the painting itself. [Photographs of the seven other pictures will appear, one in each of the subsequent numbers of the work ] ' We have read this book with care, and are, therefore, prepared to pronounce it not only accurate, and hence instructive, but very pleasing, and to predict for it an exiensive circulation ; for, as it is recorded in the opening lines : ' The city of Washington is far dearer to the nation's heart now than it was before the breaking out of the rebellion The treasure expended, and the blood spilled in its defence, have made it seem, to patriots, sacred as a shrine. '' To want to know all about it " is a national longing, anl to gratify thi's, in some degree, is the design of the present book.' " From the " Washingtoi: Evening Star,"' ■ Tuii Fi;ui;[;Ar, City : or. Ins and AcoaTS op Washington, by S, D. Wyeth.' is published in admiiable style by Gibson Brothers It is both readable and useful, containing a large amount of new material agreeably presented.' From the "National Republican." '■ .Mr. Wyeth, in the 'Federal City,' gives a description of everything of public interest in and about the city of Washington. The work will be an invaluable one both at home and abroad." From the " Sunday-School Times." "The first instalment of ' 'The Federal Ctty/' 108 handsomely printed 8vo pages, gives promise of a work of considerable interest. .Mr. Wyeth informs us it is to consist of the following parts: 1. The Book of the Capito! ; '2. The White House and its inmates; 3. Book of the Departments : 4. Book ol\ilie Hospitals; 5. lijsti'.uiions of Benevolence. Learning, etc mmi i. i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 001 770 267 1 I, 451 SEVENTH STREET, Direcdif Opposite the Eastern Entrance to the Patent- Office, lelatina ta afifilicxtian^, io-i ^a,te,ntA citkei in t/nA cauntiij- ai i7i §uia^ie. '^aent. .^Bfa chcaae iai aiiAiaeuna em^iuue^. ''-"^aiie^S-fio-nd&nce lu-itli /leiAami. de^Mantna ta mayie afifdi'ccctw-n ■lai ^tttei6, (Mitent, U uiuitccL q^U letteui al enatcciu a/w-uIcI e^icla^ a ^taonfi. ■iai Uticin ^la^taae. 'WLdeicncc^ in anu /laU' al tke ^Mnctecl Stated, ■lu-cll {^ aiuen lu-'/ien ieaut/iea. SENT) FOR A CIRCULAR LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 001 770 267 1