of Mass., Franklin of Penn., Hancock of Mass., Rutledge of
S. C, and Thompson of Penn. For variety of composition,
the Committee of Five are represented as having advanced in
a body to the President's table, instead of reporting in the
usual form, tlu-ough their chairman. The rigid dignity of the
scene and the expression of determination on every counte-
nance will be observed.

The names of the individuals represented, commencing on
the observer's left (the right of the picture) and following the
line towards the r. are ā€”

I, George Wythe, of Va.; a, William Whipple, and j, Josiah Bartlett, of N. H.;
4, Benjamin Harrison, of Va.; 5, Thomas Lynch, of S. C.; 6, Richard Henry Lee,
of Va.; 7, Samuel Adams, of Mass.; 8, George Clinton, of N. Y.; 9, William Paca,
and 10, Samuel Chase, of Md.; 11, Lewis Morris, and 12, William Floyd, of N. Y.;
13, Arthur Middleton, and 14, Thomas Heyward, of S. C.; 15, Charles Carv><<, of
Md.; 16, George Walton, of Ga.; 17, Robert Morris, 18, Thomas Willing, and' 19,
Benjamin Rush, of Penn.; 20, Elbridge Gerry, and 21, Robert Treat Paine, of Mass.;
22, Abraham Clark, of N. J.; 2j, Stephen Hopkins, and 24, William Ellery, of R. L;
25, George Clymer, of Penn.; 26, William Hooper, and 27, Joseph Hewes, of N. C;
a8, James Wilson, of Penn.; 29, Francis Hopkinson, of N. J.; 30, John Adams, of
Mass.; 31, Roger Sherman, of Conn., 32, Robert L. Livingston, of N. Y.; 33, Thomas
Jefferson, of Va.; 34, Benjamin Franklin, of Penn.; 35, Richard Stockton, N. J.; 36,
Francis Lewis, N. Y.; 37, John Witherspoon, of N. J.; 38, Samuel Huntington, 39,
William Williams, and 40, Oliver Wolcott, of Conn.; 41, John Hancock, of Mass.;
42, Charles Thompson, of Penn.; 43, George Read, Del.; 44, John Dickinson, of
Penn.; 45, Edward Rutledge, of S. C; 46, Thomas McKean, of Del.; and 47,
Philip Livingston, of N. Y.

The Surrender of Burgoyne, October, 1777. ā€” Trum-
bull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting in the pan-
el on the 1. of the W. door represents the surrender of the



72 ROTUNDA.

British Gen. Burgoyne to tlie American Gen. Gates at Sara-
toga. The scene portrayed represents Burgoyne, attended
by Gen. Phillips and other officers, dismounted, and near the
marquee of the American commander, offering his sword to
Gen. Gates, who advances, but declines to receive the token
of submission, and invites the fallen general into his quar-
ters. On the r. of Gates is a group of the principal officers
of the American army of the N. In the background will be
observed the British army at the confluence of Fish Creek and
^N". Kiver. The troops, in long lines, under the direction of
Col. Lewis, Quartermaster General of the American army,
and headed by American, British, and German officers, are
moving across the creek and meadows towards the place of
surrender in the foreground.

The portraits introduced, beginning on the observer's left,
are ā€”

I, Maj. Lithgow, of Mass.; 2, Col. Cilly, and j. Gen. Starke, of N. H.; 4. Capt.
Seymour, of Conn,, of Sheldon's Horse; 5, Maj. Hull, and 6, Col. Greaton, of Mass.;
7, Maj. Dearborn, and 8, Col. Scammell, of N. H.; 9, Col. Lewis, of N, Y., Quarter-
master General; 10, Maj. Gen. Phillips, of the British army; 11, Lieut. Gen. Bur-
goyne, Commander of the British forces; 12, Gen. Baron Reidesel, of the British
army, (German); 13, Col. Wilkinson, Deputy Adjutant General of the American
army; 14, Gen. Gates, Commander of the American forces; 15, Col. Prescott, of
Mass. Volunteers; 16, Col. Morgan, of the Va. Riflemen; 17, Brig. Gen. Rufus
Putnam, and 18, Lieut. Col. Brooks, of Mass.; 19, Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, of R. L,
Chaplain ; 20, Maj. Robert Troup, of N. Y., Aid-de-Camp ; 21, Maj. Haskell, of
Mass.; 22, Maj. (after Gen.) Armstrong, Aid-de-Camp; 23, Maj. Gen. Philip Schuy-
ler, of N. Y.; 24, Brig. Gen. Glover, of Mass.; 25, Brig. Gen. Whipple, of the N.
H. Militia; 26, Maj. Clarkson, of N. Y., Aid-de-Camp; and 27, Maj. Stevens, of
Mass., commanding artillery.

The Surrender op Cornwallis, October, 1781. ā€”
Trumbull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting on the
r. of the W. door represents the closing scene in the contest
between the Colonies and the mother country, the surrender
of the army of Lord Cornwallis to the Americans at York-
town, Virginia.

The event is associated with an incident which should be
borne in mind in order to comprehend what might seem out
of keeping. About 18 months before the surrender. Gen.
Lincoln, in command of the American forces at Charleston,
S. C, had been obliged to capitulate to the British. Lord
Cornwallis at that time refused to allow the American com-
mander to march out of the city with colors flying and other
honors customary under the circumstances. The terms of
surrender accorded to Lord Cornwallis in this instance were
the same as he had granted to Gen. Lincoln. Gen. Wash-
ington, the Commander-in-Chief, and to whom the honor of
receiving the surrender was due, appointed Gen. Lincoln to
superintend the submission of the British, in the same man-






ROTUNDA. 73

ner as the American Gen. and his troops had been treated at
Charleston.

The American forces will be seen in order of battle on the
r. of the road leading into York ; Washington and the Ameri-
can general officers resting on the r. of the line. The French
troops face the Americans from the opposite side of the road,
with Gen. Kochambean and the chief officers of the French
army and navy on their 1. The British troops, with shoul-
dered arms, colors cased, and drums beating, are tiling out of
the town, approaching the two lines of the victorious Ameri-
cans and French to the place of surrender, from whence, hav-
ing grounded and left their arms, they will march back un-
armed to their quarters.

The scene itself represents Lord Cornwallis and his chief
officers, under the direction of Gen. Lincoln, passing the op-
posite groups of American and French generals and entering
between the two lines of the victors. By this disposition the
chief actors in the scene are brought out boldly. In the dis-
tance the town of York is visible, with the conquered troops
marching out. York River and the Chesapeake Bay are also
brought in, and afford a general idea of the topographical sur-
roundings. It may be added, with respect to the French offi-
cers, that their portraits were obtained from Paris, in 1787,
and were taken from life, at the residence of lair. Jefferson,
then Minister of the United States to France.

The following are the portraits given, commencing on the
observer's 1. :

I, Count Deuxponts; 2, Duke de Laval Montmorency, and 3, Count Custine,
Cols, of French Infantry; 4. Duke de Lauzun, Col. of French Cavalry; 5, Gen.
Choizy ; 6, Viscount Viomeuil; 7, Marquis de St. Simon; 8, Count Fersen, and
9, Count Dumas, Aids-de-Camp to Count Rochambeau; 10, Marquis Chastellux j
II, Baron Viomeuil ; 12, Count de Barre and Count de Grasse, Admirals in the
French Navy; 14, Count Rochambeau, Gen. -in-Chief of the French forces; 15,
Gen. Lincoln, American Army; 16, Col. Stevens, American Artillery; 17, Gen.
Washington, Commander-in-Chief; 18, Thomas Nelson, Gov. of Va. ; 19, Mar-
quis Lafayette; 20, Baron Steuben; 21, Col. Cobb, Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Wash-
ington; 22, Col. Trumbull, Secretary to Gen. Washington ; 23. Maj. Gen. Clinton,
of N. Y. ; 24, Gen. Gist, of Md. ; 25, Gen. Wayne, of Penn. ; 26, Gen. Hand, of
Penn., Adjutant General; 27, Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, of Penn.; 28, Maj. Gen.
Knox, Commander of Artillery; 29, Lieut. Col. Huntingdon, acting Aid to Gen.
Lincoln; 30, Col. Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General; 31, Col. Alexander
Hamilton, commanding Light Infantry ; 32, Col. Laurens, of S. C. ; 33, Col. Wal-
ter Stuart, of Penn.j and 34, Col. Nicholas Fish, of N. Y.

Resignation of General Washington, Dec. 23, 1783 :
Trumbull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting on the
1. of the N. door represents Washington returning his com-
mission to the President of Congress. The great contest
was over. Peace had been proclaimed. That great patriot
had withdra^vn from the army at ISTew York, on which occa-
sion many of those who were thus to be forever deprived of



74 ROTUNDA.

Ms leadership slied teare. It was Dec. 23, 17S3, in the State
House at AiinapoUs, Maryland. The patriot commander was
smTOunded hj his officers, in the presence of the Congress
of the infant Kepublic, and was now about to restore to Con-
gress his commission, and with it the authority with which
they liad invested him in the dark and trying times of the
war. He had completed a touching address. After con-
gratulating Congress upon the successful issue of the con-
flict, expressing his obligations to the army, and committing
the future to the protection of Almighty God, he closed with
the words: "Having now linished the work assigned me, I
retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affec-
tionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I
have so long acted, I here ofler my commission, and take my
leave of all the employments of public life." It may be men-
tioned, as a coincidence, that the President of Congress was,
in 1775, the fii'st aid-de-camp to the illustrious general.

The portraits introduced, commencmg on the observer's
left, are ā€”

I, Thomas Mifflin, of Penn., President of Congress j 2, Charles Thompson, of
Penn.j 3, Elbridge Gerry, of Mass.; 4, Hugh Williamson, of N. C. ; 5, Samuel
Osgood, of Mass. J 6, Edward McComb, of Del.; 7, George Partridge, of Mass.;
8, Edward Lloyd, of Md. ; 9, R. D. Spaight, of N. C.; 10, Benjamin Hawkins, of
N. C. ; II, A- Foster, of N. H.; 12, Thomas Jefferson and Arthur Lee, of Va.;
14, David Howell, of R. L; 15, James Monroe, of Va. ; and 16, Jacob Reed, of S.
C, all members of Congress; 17, James Madison, of Va., spectator; 18, William
EUery, of R. J. ; 19, Jeremiah Townley Chase, of Md. ; 20, S. Hardy, of Va. ; and
21, Charles Morris, of Penn., members of Congress; 22, General Washington, of
Va. ; 23, Cols. Walker and Humphreys, aids-de-cahip ; 25 and 26, Gens. Small-
wood and Williams, and 27 and 28, Cols. Smith and Howard, of Md. ; 29, Charles
Carroll and two daughters, of Md. ; 30, Mrs. Washington and her three grand-
children; and 31, Daniel Jenifer of St. Thomas, of Md., spectators.

In the corresponding panels on the opposite or E. side of
the Eotunda, beginning on the 1. of the S. door leading to
the House of Eepresentatives, are four paintings of historical
events connected with the discovery and early settlement of
America.

Baptism of Pocahontas, 1613 : Chapman. Ordered
1836, cost $10,000. The scene is at Jamestown, in Virginia,
the first permanent white settlement on the American con-
tinent. Pocahontas, the daughter of the Indian king Pow-
hatan, had already given evidence of her attachment for the
wliites, and had saved the settlement from extirpation at tlie
hands of her ruthless people. The Indian princess is in the
act of receiving the sacred rite of baptism. John Kolfe, her
future husband, stands by her side. The relatives of the prin-
cess are present. Her uncle, with revengeful look, watches
the scene.

The portraits introduced, commencing on the observer's J.,
are ā€”



ROTUNDA. 75

I, Standard Bearer; 2, the Page; j, John and Ann Laydon, first mamed in the
country; 4, Sir Thomas Dale; 5, Alexander Whitaker; 6, Hans Spilman; 7, Po-
cahontas; 8, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, first settlers; 9, John Rolfe; 10, Sister to Poca-
hontas; II, Nantequas, brother to Pocahontas; 12, Opechaucanough ; 13, Opachisco,
uncle to Pocahontas; 14, Richard Whiffin.

Discovery of the IMississippi River by De Soto,
May, 1541 : Powell. Ordered 1850, cost $12,000. The paint-
ing is intended to represent De Soto and his party arriv-
ing on the banlis of the Mssissippi, after a toilsome march
through swamp and forest from distant Florida. The paint-
ing, however, does not verify history. The discoverers had
endured great privations, and, ragged and worn, took to the
river in canoes, in hopes of escape from their sufferings. De
Soto succumbed to the fatigues of the march, and was buried
in the river. On the r. will be seen the Mississippi, fiUed with
green islands, and canoes laden with savages approaching or
landing on the banks near at hand.

The portraits and prominent characters and objects repre-
sented, compiencing on the observer's 1., are ā€”

I, Soldier dressing his wounded leg; 2, a young Spanish cavalier; 3, a confessor;
4, a group of standard bearers and helmeted men ; 5, a cannon being placed in po-
sition by artillerymen; 6, a Moorish servant; 7, De Soto mounted; 8, camp chest,
with arms, helmets, and other accoutrements and implements of war; 9, two young
Indian maidens; 10, Indian chiefs bringing the pipe of peace; 11, old priest bless-
ing the cross; 12, ecclesiastic bearing the censer; 13, stalwart men planting the
cross.

The first engagement for a picture to fill this panel was with
Henry Inman . The artist however died before the completion
of his work, and the picture was abandoned.

Landing of Colltmbus, October 12, 1492 : Vanderlyn.
Ordered 1842, cost $10,000. This painting represents Colum-
bus, accompanied by his principal officers and a few attend-
ants, already landed on the Island of Guanahani, one of the
Bahama Islands, and the first land discovered. The successful
discoverer is in the act of proclaiming possession in the name
of the king and queen of Spain. In the distance groups of
seamen are giving expression to their joy; two figures near
are contending for glittering particles in the sand. The fleet
at anchor in the distance. A peculiarly tropical haze pervades
the atmosphere.

The following are the principal characters represented,
commencing on the observer's 1. :

I, Alonzo de Ojeda ; 2, cabin boy kneeling; 3, Rodrigo Sanchez, inspector; 4,
Vincent Yanez, standard bearer; 5, Martin Alonzo Pinzon, standard bearer; 6,
mutineer repentant; 7, Rodrigo de Escobedo, notary; 8, Columbus ; 9, soldier look-
ing at the natives; 10, sailor's veneration of Columbus; 11, friar bearing the cross.

Embarkation of the Pidgrevis from Delft-Haven, in
Holland, July 21, 1620, O. S. : Weir. Ordered 1836, cost
$10*000. Kepresents the Pm-itan fathers about to brave the



76 ROTUNDA.

clangers of the stormy Atlantic for an asylum in the wilds of
America, where they might enjoy the blessings of civil and
religious liberty.

The following portraits are introduced, commencing on the
observer's 1. :

I, boy of Mrs. Winslow; 2, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow; 3, Mr. and Mrs. White j
4, boy of Mrs. Winslow; 5, Mrs. Brewsler and child; 6, Elder William Brewster;
7, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller; 8, William Bradford; 9, Gov. Carver; 10, nurse and
child; II, Mrs. Carver and child; 12, William Robinson, pastor of the congrega-
tion; I J, Mrs. Bradford; 14, Captain Reynolds; 15, boy of Gov. Carver; 16,
Miles Standish and wife Rose.

The domical ceiling, viewed from the pavement of the
Rotunda consists of an inner shell, over which is the mas-
sive iron covering of the Dome. The canopy stands at a
height of 180 ft. above the pavement, and measures 65| ft.
in dameter, and 21 ft. perpendicular height. The canopy is
ornamented with a variety of figures in fresco, combining
allegory and history, executed by C. Brumidi. The central
group, which occupies the apex of the ceiling, represents a
deification of Washington, the Father of American Liberty.
On his r. is Freedom, and on his 1. Victory. In the foreground
are 13 female figures, representing the original States of
the American Union. These figures form a crown and sup^-
port a band, upon which are the appropriate words E Pluri-
bus TJnum. The figures begin Avith New Hampshire, on the
1. of Victory, and follow in semi-circular procession, accord-
ing to their geographical order. The drapery, decoration,
and coloring are designed to indicate the products and situa-
tion of the States represented. Around the base of the can-
opy, which measiu-es about 204 ft., are 6 emblematic groups,
designed as an allegory of the Revolution, 1776-'83. These
groups begin at the W.

1. The Fall of Tyranny. ā€” Represented by Freedom and an Eagle battling
with Tyranny and Priestcraft; a mailed soldier vainly struggling to uphold the
ermined robe of royalty. Discord stands by ; also Anger and Revenge, with the
incendiary torch.

2. Agriculture, towards the N. ā€” Represented by Ceres, with cornucopia.
Ame.'ica, wearing a red Cap of Liberty, turning over to Ceres the mastery of a pair
of horses attached to a reaper. Flora is gathering flowers, and Pomona bears a basket
of fruit.

3. Mechanics. ā€” Represented by Vulcan, resting his r. foot on a cannon, and
around are the various instruments of his art, with mortars and cannon balls.

In the E. is ā€”

4. Commerce. ā€” Represented by Mercury, holding a bag of gold, and directing
attention to it. The figure thus called is Robert Morris, the financier of the Revo-
lution. Merchandise, with men at work, and two sailors, pointing to a gunboat,
complete the allegory.

5. Marine. ā€” Representing Neptune in his car, bearing his trident, accompanied
by attendants, emerging from the deep. Amphrodite, Venus, is about dropping
into the foaming waters an electric cable, which has been handed her by a cherub.

6. Arts and Sciences. ā€” Represented by Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom,



ASCENT OF THE DOME. 77

surrounded by figures ā€” Franklin, the philosopher; Fulton, the inventor of the
steamboat ; and Morse, the inventor of the magnetic telegraph. The figures of
iuveniles indicate teaching.

These frescoes coVer nearly 5,000 sq. ft. They may be
viewed from different points in the ascent of the Dome. As
they are approached they increase in size. Seen from the
balustrade beneath the canopy, they are of colossal propor-
tions. Sufficient light by day is thrown in from the openings
in the outer shell of the Dome. At night hundreds of gas
jets, lighted by electricity, illuminate not only the canopy,
but the entire interior of the Dome.

These frescoes were ordered in 1864, and cost $50,000, of
which $39,000 was paid for compensation of the artist and as-
sistants, and the balance for materials.

Ascent of the Dome. ā€” The stairway inside the first door on
the 1., after leaving the rotunda on "the N., leads to the top
of the dome. At the head of the first flight of steps on the
r. is the entrance to the battery and electric gas-lighting ap-
paratus, to which a visit should be made. Keturning and
continuing the ascent, an opportunity is afforded of studying
the mechanism of the immense structure overhead. A small
door at the top of an intricate flight of steps opens between
the inner and outer shells. On the inside is a range of arches,
affording a view of the rotunda and canopy. A short distance
above a doorway opens under an imposing peristyle of 36 iron
columns. The next door opens upon a balustrade above . The
last ascent is by an abrupt flight of steps over the inner shell,
which leads to the platform immediately beneath the canopy.
This point affords a closer view of Brumidi's allegory, a de-
scription of which will be found elsewhere. This platform
makes a fine whispering gallery. Another flight of steps
leads to the crowning platform, from which the most exten-
sive view of the city may be had.

Panoramic View of tlie City. ā€” With the assistance of the
maps of the city and District, the stranger will be able to ac-
quaint himself with the most prominent features in the view.
Looking towards the E., on the 1. is the Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb, and on the r., beyond the Anacostia, the Asjdum
for the Insane. On the S. may be seen the Anacostia uniting
with the broad current of the Potomac. On the point are the
buildings of the Arsenal, and 7 m. below, on the opposite shore,
Alexandria. Opposite Georgetown is Arlington House, with
Fort Whipple on the r. In the W. is the official quarter of
the city. The building on the hill, at the head of New Jersey
av., is the Howard University ; and the white tower in the dis-



78



DIAGRAM OF THE CAPITOL.




i-H IN CO Ā»* lo <o



LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 79

tance, on the line of E. Capitol St., is the Soldiers' Home.
The railroad which leaves the city on the IST. is the Baltimore
and Ohio ā€” the r. branch for Baltimore, and the 1. for Point of
Rocks and the W. The road S. of the Capitol is the Balti-
more and Potomac, also for the K. and W., running- in con-
nection with the Pennsj'lvania Central. The Tiber Creek
follows the basin of tlie valley on the N.

Library of the United States. ā€” {Open every day^ Simdays:
excepted^ from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. ; during the sessions of Con-
gress till 'hour of adjournment.) The Library of the Unitedi
States may be readied from the Rotunda by the W. door;^
along the corridor on either side of the balustrade around the
head of the staircase leading up from the main W. entrance
The principal door of the Library is immediately opposite the
W. door of the Rotunda.

The Library Halls occupy the principal tioor of the entire
W. projection of the Capitol, consisting of a connecting cen-
tral hall, 91| ft. long, 34 ft. wide, and'38 ft. high, completed
in 1853, with two wings on the IS^. and S., each 95 ft. long^ 29|
ft. wide, and 38 ft. high, finished in 1865. The interior wa&
designed by Mr. Walter, Architect of the Capitol, who com-
pleted the central library, and the wings were carried out by
M\ Clark, his successor, at a total cost of $280,000. The cen-
tral library consists of 12 deep recesses, or alcoves, sm-mount-
ed b}^ 2 upper tiers of cases, with galleries and corridors, all of
iron. The hall is lighted by windows in the alcoves and bjr
skylights fitted in the iron frame-work of the roof, and trans-
mitted through the ceiling. This consists of iron f rame-work^
supported upon massive foliated iron brackets, each weigh-
ing 2,000 lbs. The alcoves and shelves are embellished with
pilastered and paneled fronts, painted a soft but! color and
artistically gilded. The book-shelves are also of iron,, and
covered with leather. The floors are of tessellated black-and-
wiiite marble. The T\ings are of the same design as the cen-
tral hall. The former have 4 tiers of shelves instead of 3. Heat
and ventilation are supplied from the Senate and House ap-
paratus, 200 ft. distant, on either side. The iron-work was.
manufactured in New York, and transported in pieces. It
is the onl.Y completely fh-e-proof library in the world. The
library halls aftbrd accommodation for 172,000 volumes, and
with the attic and law library 210,000. The additional space
requh-ed has been in part supplied by temporary wooden
shelves ranged along the galleries.

It is proposed to erect "a suitable building in the angle of
the E. Park of the Capitol, to be specially devoted to the pur-
poses of the Library of the United States. A special com-



80 LIBRARY OP THE UNITED STATES.

mission, created by act of Mar. 3, 1873, now have this subject
under consideration.

Spealving of tlie necessities of tlie Library, Mr. Spofford, Li-
brarian, says : "Whatever maybe the present rate of growth
of American libraries, it cannot be doubted that their prospec-
tive increase, witli the growing development and intellectual
enterprise of the country, will be in an accelerated ratio as
compared with the past . The Library has twice doubled with-
in twelve years. In 1860 there were 63,000 volumes in the
Library, in 1866 there were 100,000, and in 1872 there were
246,000. Without calculating upon specially large accessions,
it is reasonable to assume that, by the ordinary additions to
its stores from copyrights and from all other sources, it will
reach 700,000 volumes by the vear 1900, 1,250,000 by the year
1925, 1,750,000 by 1950, and 2,500,000 by 1975, or about a cen-
tury hence."

In 1874 the Library numbered 260,000 volumes and 50,000
pamplilets. Of this aggregate 30,000 volumes belonged to
the law library. The average annual accessions are 10,000
boolvs and 5,000 pamphlets. The sources of supply in the or-
der of numbers are as follows : purchase, copyright, (excluding
duplicates,) deposit of the Smithsonian Institution, presenta-
tion, and exchange . The whole number of copyrights entered
in 1873 was 15,352.

The largest liDrary in the world is the Bibliotheque Nation-
ale^ Paris, having about 1,400,000 volumes. The second is the
British Museum Library^ London, with 900,000 volumes. The
Royal Library^ at Munich, claims to have 800,000 volumes. It
may be generally stated that there are sixteen libraries in Eu-
rope larger than the Library of the United States. The lat-