Evening Star Newspaper, February 21, 1885, Page 2

= _ ¥ THE EVENING STAR:, WASHINGTON. fo Pee . D.C., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1885-—DOUBLE SHEET. THE STORY OF THE SHAFT. A Narrative Which Covers Over a Cen- tury of Time. HOW CONGRESS RESOLVED TO ERECT A MONU- MENT, BUT FAILED TO DO SO—THE WORK TAKEN UP BY THE MONUMENT SOCIETY AND FINALLY ASSUMED BY CONGRESS. The dedication to-day of the loftiest structure im the world to the memory of the man wha occupies the highest pedestal tn the American Pantheon makes a big punctuation mark in history. The event will be memorable, not only on account of the evidence It gives that the steady patriotism which inspired the found- Ts of the republic still lives, but also because it signalizes the cpmpletion of an edifice which will hereafter be included with the Pyramids, With St. Peter's, and with t ning tower of | Pisa, among the architec wonders of the world. There {s report of only one structure ever erected by human hands that could stand by the Washington monument without appear- Ing belittled. aud that was the T of Babel. To-day's ceremonies u tion of @ patriotic project couceived over a century ago. 3, the Continental | animously “that au equ ‘ashington be erected at the | place where the residence of Congress shall be | established.” This was the first public step | taken towards erecting a suitable memorial to | Washington, and from vement result- Ing, 102 years ion of the Washington National ¥ is dat Congress never took any steps to carry th lution of 1783 into effect until 155% $50,000 was appropriated for the ercetion of equestrian statue, which was completed by the late Clark Mills and placed in the circle at the Intersection of Pennsylvania and New Haump- shire avenues. After the de: mittee of both hi toeonsider «mu memory. On Le resolved “That a mur by the United aud that the quested to permit his » be deposited Under ft, and that the monutnent be sodesigned as to commemorate the great events of his mili: tary and political life On the request of Congress t communicated to the widow of sheconsented thatthe r Moved from their res on in the following t ¥ the great eT ublic v acrifive of of public duty.” House of Rep that a mausoleum t ington in ti wary 1, 1801, thi propr this m: action ither the re Lor Which made them, there- ppese my private wishe . LDeannot say wh: Ls00, th ves passed ected to Georg ashington, and on Jan- » body pa the MR. BUCHANAN REY The project then slum! century, until, on the 15th Jan Mr. Buchanan, afterwards President, otiered the Honse of Re which I at that time am ion py for the appointment tee t in what manner ti 24, 1799, could be Speech advoeati ton Mr. Buchanan promise te and to the } legislative act, tha tw his memory long slum .ES THE P red for a ¢ this pledge has 1 t been Although his mortal wins have at our Tequest and by her conse me the Of the public, yet the |. Lhave been er attempt hus been m: from this country, whic Mr. ¢ resolution, urzing ments was a b: able diseussic on motion of Mr. Gaz! laid on the table by a voi M February 13, 18: two houses of Congress appointed to make ar- | Fangements for celebrating the centefin ashington’s birthday, of w was chairman on the part ot Senate, made a report, con ommendation that Con Sary measures to carry into effect the resolution of December 24th. 1779, for the removal of the body of George Washing nd its interment in the Capitol at the city of Washington, and that the ceremony be performed on the evening of the 22d instant. Mr. Clay then submitted a resolution authorizing tie ident of the Se Ste and the Speaker of the House to make ap- Piteation to John A. Washington, of Mt.Vernon, the body of George Washington, to be re- moved and deposited in the Capitol at Wash- | ington February 22d, 1S: and the tw houses of attend and assist in the per- formance of the ceremonies. Mr. ¢ 1 said. Bis opinion, the unredeemed pledce of Congress to dispose of the remains of Washington in a public manner should be fulfilled. He would State that those entrusted with et the Capitol had already prepa the center of the rotunda fo ose, not by authority, he believed, but upon ir own suggestion und sense of’ proprie Mr. Clay, in the course of his remarks, m de no allusion tothe monument which Ci sosolemnly resoived to build so m: revious, and it was gene ime that the vault in the prepared because of the belic build a monument could not b Mr. Forsyth opposed the resolution elaimed, it was contrary to the injune! Washington's will. 1 tt juding with a ree- pt the neres- atthe had been jons of | icl Webster advocated Posed the resolution on the @ precedent were est soon be converted in mence this Romish rite Will canonize as many gainisin the Romish Washington with any p blindly elevate.” Job nd t | hed the Capitol would emetery. “Once he sald, “ane . r Mr. Taze- well’s sentiments.” Mr. in reply, pressed the opinion that no man would eve deemed worthy by the pe« the side of Washibgeon: hut, said b Please the Almighty to bestow up« try the blessing Of another Wasi could not, for one, wish that the same now propdsed should be withheld from h The resolution Clay wa: a & vote of 29 to 1 Mr. Hane, York; Mr. Smith, of Mic be to be placed by | » Should it Fr. Mare id Mr. Dalius, of Pennsyivania, being mong the ne Before the resolution passed the House resentatives it was migdified, so as to ask consent of Juo. A. Washington and of Geo. Parke Custis, the grar Martha W ington, for the removal of her rem depostied in the Capitol with thou b gort. Mr. Custis gave his ex Washington felt constraimed ¢ count of the construction wh: Gen. Washington's will. T Washington's was reza accepted by Congress und b3 United St: ‘S that the bones oF V Were to rest undisturbed for all time at his an- | | | | | con- Mr. tne on a ed upon Mtr »ple of the cestral home. THE WASHIN GTON NATIONAL MONUMENT so- | crery. Congress having taken no steps to give effect to its own purpose as expressed in the resolutio: 0f 1799, patrivtic citizens of Washington in 1s formed the Washington Na‘ society for the purpose of erec ting “a great na tional monument to the me mory of Washin ton at the seat of the federal government.” The association determined to appeal to the people of the whole count » redeem the plighted faith of their represeniatives, and undertook to erect the proposed monument by vate contributions. In 1847 tie sc ety bad collected a sufficient fund to warrant a ce in Mmencement of the work. In th “antime x Vertisements had been published in signs for the monument from Aineric: Dut placing no limitations u ‘was recommended, however, “barmoniously blend durabili deur.” The cost was est tted at Nn $1,000,000. A great many des submitted, but the One selected was that of Robert Mills, the architect of ie luterior de- Iution authorizing th society to erect “: n0n George Washing public grounds or re Of Washington not ott Was snument u memory of ¥ such purtion of the | s within the city States and the board of managers of suid societ a8 a suitable site on which toerect said monu- Ment, and for the necessary protection thereof, THE SITE SELECTED was publie reservation No. 3, containing more than 30 acres. Subsequently, by deed or dona- tion recorded February 22,1849, James K. Polk, President of the United States, conveyed, in pursuance of authority of the act of Congress, the aforesaid reservation > ton National Monument societ Criticisms have from time to time been made | @pon the locality chosen, but tly who made | @ Selection seem to have been actuated b arious excellent motives. It was the site ehosen by Washington himself for the monu- Ment proposed in 1795 to be erected in memo of the American re: . selected by Major L’Enfant,’ when he laid ont the city, ior a monument’ to the memory of Washington, which was proposed severai years earlier. Upon the of the proposed eity this spot was so designated by L’Entunt, and the map Was approved by Washington and submit- ted to Congress. It would appear, erefore,that in making the selection the society tain extent carrying out the persoual wishes of the memorialized President { the matter, There were other reasons. however, which uf fected the selection. In 1804, during Jefferson's | administration. the first Washington meridian Fas Fun, which passed directly, through the front door of the White House. This meridian | Was intersected at right angles at almost the exact spot selected for the site by a line due | ‘West from the Capitol. Probably the center of the old District, which was ten miles square, | THE MONUMENT COMMISSION. W. W. CORCORAN, M. E. BELL. EDWARD CLARK, would afford a fine view of the monument from ye the monument -<ctown,Aiexandria, George Washington, ‘first in peace, first In war, of his countrymen, was aments of Divine Prov and first in the he overlooks Washingt: one of the el Arlington and Mount p the foundat ion of the United States; ‘ties in the Constitut efore, as a mark of our sens his name and to bis compatriots and as- s decided by the so- of the corner-stone In the meantime the society i been presented with the corner-stone by Simonton, a public-spirited citizen It was forwarded by rail, free of of the honor pone the layin; until July 4th. and the House of Representatives, in Con- gressasseimbled, in the nume of the pec United States, at this, the beginning o ond century of national existence, do assume and direct ‘the completion of the ¥ monument, in the city of Washington, an struct the committees on appropriation of the nd a number of citizens to the monument site, amid itherduly, 1848, the cornerstone of pig of law “tolcatry ebis"reavin tion: resence ofan ‘The resolution p ly, und on the followin; ed the Senate unanimous- the House of Rep- seed it unanimously, Sherman introduced n of SLO0,000 to enators and resentatives, rities of Washington, a bill making continue. the through both hou: an appropriath with as little delay as pos- pr tion having Leen increased 1.000, and on the 2d of 3 ure of the President and was 1 been intended that John the orator of the oe- ot hisdeath the Hon, Speaker of the House of preseptatives, delivered nincy Adams received the si n of Congress was that the monu- ment should be completed by Qctober, 188 sary ofthe surrender of Cbrn- wailis at Yorktown, and the crowning achieve- ment of Washington in war. ENT COMMISSION. The construction of the monument was placed under the direction and supervision of an ex- Jo commission, to consist of the President of the United States, the supervising architect of the Treasury department, the architect of the Capitol, the chief of engineersot the United and the first vice president of the National Monument society. n Who have served on the monu- ¢ this law was pa S. Grant, R. B, Hayes, Jus. Chiefs Of Corps dier Gens, A, A. nt and John Newton; Award Clark, Archi- 'y James G. Hill, John Fraser nd M. E; Bell; and first vice presi- ional Monument so- t was prosreuted At Years, aud was stopped for lack of d the height of 1 ainly for more sugress With no centennial annive we soclety appe tiemoralized SS AGATN CONSID ‘S THE MATTER, 1854, the House of Rep- da select committee of r this memorial, of which ,of Muryland, was chair- resentatives appoin the Hon, Henry Ma 24 of February, 1855, Mr. May made immittee, commend- heartily concurring testimony to mm the select ng the Work of the committee » nd two ofth Union have Architect of the ¢ with its arn : ts of the Treasury Washington 3 ts have testified work of bu- in this great ended to commemorate the virtues commission, besides und example. Messrs, Edward Clark, M. E. Bell and W. reating the commission and rights of the sould be conveyed to the wud provided that prior to re- kk on the monument an exami- uation should be made to ascertain whether the nm Was suilicient to sustain the weight omipleted structure, ard of engine ndation was insufMic boundaries of Christendoy me, Which reaches arth, and the most distant and ts d their veneration towards motes punts OF | required that all the proper United State suming the w iréece, China and Japan have pl hies. The his- rallel to this. lly to commend of the Masonie soc ws, the Various fire com es, and the touching contributions of the dren of the schools of the country—all regu- ionate tributes. And atsaw nations of Indians tory of mankind affords no f feel bound in thi the zeal and liber r officers reported that the ent, and it would be divisible to proceed with the work of con- fon until it was proper! The report of the commission, With the facts in 1 to ‘Congress with the sident, on December nierred the necessary xpenditure of a portion of 200,000 in strengthening oundation, Two seasons were spent. by Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey, detailed to take ch rengthened, the Cherokee and Ciiic also deserve to be honored for the! donations of mone this the eloquent commemorating also in ntiment of the creat chief, Cornplanter, delivered to Washington In 1791: A nation speaks to y . in whose heart the wise men thirteen Fires have placed their wis- ppropriation of the engineer officer ge of tle work. The snows ye winters and suminers had made havoe with the comparatively un- protected masonry in the top portion of the shaft, and it was found necessary to take down 3 which reduced the height of the ure toohe hundred and fifty feet above the level of the floor. THE WORK RESUMED. The work of carrying skyward the structure, which had stood for many years as to the patriotism of the nation, was resumed on the 7th of August, 1880, when the first stone Ss placed in position December 6th,1884. The cost of the work up to the present time bas been $1,187,710.31, of es expended $557,710.31, and the Monument society about committee commended the design of building the monument by the voluntary con- eof the United Stat recornmended that a sub- by Congress, ore, recommended that 10,000 in behalf of the people fh was the sum de- Congress vote to the monumen Ss pur- | tions of 1799, and voted by the Hot the Ist of January, committee said: “In making this recommenda pressly disclaim engaging for a id by Congress to the work, on the dis t is proper Congress veral subscription toward it, Yet itis both the right and duty of the people Of the United States to complete it.” POLITICAL TROUBLES. At the time the report of the committee was | made there was a very favorable feeling in ion. Mr. Tazew of Virginia, op- | ¢, iy the resolution. Mr. Tazewell, of Nat Vt O- | Congress on the subject, and had it not been for certain untoward circumstances the appropria- tion recommended would in all probability have been granted. The know-nothing agita- Persons supposed to be ith the know-nothing faced and removed the stone contributed for by the pope of Rome. aimed that the monument to Washington vuilt by Americans alone, and no aid or contributions from outside sources should be countenanced or received. The managers of the society, on the very day that the repurt was » the House ‘of Representativ rseded in their places and the management of the society was assumed by f a political’ party. This puta tothe attempt to induce Con- any eppropriation. er, ollered further dis- ‘The capstone wi grounds that while ————+e+-_____ ROBERT MILLS, THE ARCHITECT. “The Man Who Made the Original Design of the Monume: Robert Mills, the architect, who made the original design of the Washington monument, superintended {ts construction until his death in 1855, having then carried the structure up to the height of 150 feet. He was for many yearsa well-known figure here, occupying @ high social position and being engaged In many projects and enterprises for the public good. tion was at its height. | connected w | Were unexpec' | by an unlawful el followed Soon a couragements to the society, EFFORT IN Ci ings were taken in Congress 2, 1872, when Mr. Chipman, e in the House of Representatives introduced a bill | from the Distriet of Columbia appropriating $200,000 toward the completion The bill was referred to the on the District of Columbia. On the ‘9th of April the committee made an elaborate rtily approving of the object of the osition that it did not come of the monument. it was | committe hington Bs. bill. but talking tu within their ju 5 e committee on appro- . The reference was made and the bill But, not to be dis- Mr. Chipman made another effort at the next session of Congress, Was never moi He was born in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, August 12th, 1781. He studied his profession as engineer and architect under the late Benjamin F. Latrobe made the acquaintance of Thomas Jefferson, who greatly encouraged him in his studies, en- tertained him at Monticello, and gave him ac- cess to his library, He married Eliza B, Smith, of Hackwood Park, Va., in October, 1808, and subsequently resided for many yearsin Phila- delphia, where he designed many buildings, both in Philadelphia and other cities, Amon: the notable structures which bear Lis name ani which he designed while engaged in professional ractice, are the Washington monument in altimore, the Monumental church in Rich- mond, the Circular Baptist church in Baltimore and the Suspension bridge over the Schuylicill at Philadelphia. In 1824 he returned to his native state to fill the office of superintendent of public buildings. While there he designed riyate buildings, prepared a “statistics and atlas” of the state of South Car- olina, and performed many other duties per- taining to his profession. In 1830 he returned to Washington and was a Jackson U. 8. architect. sition all new public buildings ordered by Con- ress were designed by T uilding, the General other buildi taste and sk’ On the 27th of the House ordered én to consider the ticability of completing the Washington centennial (July 22d of February ued for the consider- * committee. ional Monument | 4 sel nntnitter of thir j pra Early in life he 4, 1876), anc | ensuing be especially assi; lon ofthe report of t dof February Mr, Chipman sented the report of his committ ans of pri- | all the facts, which so many times’ before had | been brought to the attention of Congress, and with a recommendation to a] rand over during that day's ay of Washington, did Mr. members of the committee » House to stand by {ts order and con- report of the committee. sion of Congress was drawing to a close, and J too many private schemes to look ote any time to the memor George Washington. The river and harbor bill, that measure so dear to the heart of the average partment. | member, was before the House. On January 31, 1848, Congress passed a reso- | the ¢ prdered that the promptly pre- ee, going over But the ses- many public an mumittee was antagonized with the river fist and harbor bill, when Mi orge Washington like to have the vote ta . 8. Cox said en in that way.” rd shows that the Job won. ‘The re- ceupied as shall | port on the monument went over, and Congress be selected by the President of the United | adjourned on the 4th of March without it further consideration. committee again reported in favor of an appro- priation sufficient for the purpose, but again the latter Was not finally acted upon. CENTENNIAL PATRIOTISM, On February 9, 1876, Mr. Edmunds intro- duced in the Senate a resolution directing the committee on public buildings and grounds to inquire into the propriety of making ision for the speedy completion of the inon- The resolution was committee had several conferences with the Ts of the society, but they were unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion on account of various differences of opinion, . The patriotic ins] | year was felt in the ution, as well as tie spot | ase. inted by President nile he held this po- May 1st, 137. ‘ost Office building here bear testimony as an architect. His life in Washington wasa particular busy one, He in devising or execut- rable magnitude. He articles on the introduction of e city. He devoted himseif also to advocating the construction of a sh ratlroad to the Pacific. A model railroad is still in existence. many of his schemes, which proved feasible and have been carried into Core by Elsen ied Renal jong other pi propose conmraction ofa Was engaged coustantl ing projects of consi of his proposed Tn those ‘days » 3 to the Washing: | prov have since been blic_stone bric re, acost ofa m: lan. it is said, met with th ident Jackson, of Congress. but it was wi the illion dollars, favor of Prea- but did not receive the sanction expenditure aj in its favor. that g inthe end. The Was! National monument wasone of his a After his plan had bee: Monument society was ready to begin Mr. Mills’ services were retained ata t2 Soperintand the ing on Capuof ration of the centennial louse as Well as in the Sen- Several bills were introduced in the House | providing for the completion of the monu- t, but no action was taken on any of them, ‘The 4th dayof July,1876,witnessed unusual tensive celebrations of that annive: | auspicious occasion was presen’ the subject of the monument. On July 51 presented in the Sei “Whereas it has guide the United through one hundred years of national life, of elvil and’ religious liberty: of civil and_ religious 5 Senate and House of Representatives gress assembled, in the nam the United States, In reverent knowledge the fountain and souree, thé and giver of all_these blessings, Werowia be & n accepted and when th were tom cer- | Sherman nate the following leased Almight tates of Amel in this city. Salted Gy RE i Mt Sty hog int Mrs. Evans the time the: she ae ve oe and Tie, inti from other monuments. ‘was first made public, admired, the vastness moniot ae was nearly, if not exactly, on this spot. Besid udenee upon His providence and will; it was said that Mr, Whereas wePtecceniss fathers did, ‘for the EVOLUTION OF THE MONUMENT. The Shaft and Pantheon as Originally PI med by Robert Mills. AN ELABORATE DESIGN GRADUALLY STRIPPED OF ORNAMENT—THE PROPER PROPORTIONS OF OBELISKS—SUGGESTIONS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME CONCERNING THE DESIGN—COL. CASEY'S RECOMMENDATIONS. The Washington monument, as it now stands completed, is quite different from the structure Which Robert Mills had in mind when he made the original design. After the first plan was drawn and accepted by the monument society various changes were made, dictated In some in- stances by the condition of the treasury of the society and in others Bye nen ce Views of tectural charac- the society regarding the arch: ter which the monument should have, Robert Mills, howeven, never abandoned the gencral featukes of his original plan, though, he was compelled, on account of lack of funds, to cut down the proposed height of the shait, reduce the scale of the pantheon and eliminate much of the detail. L DESIGN, The original design, the estimated eost of which was $1,122,000, as describetl in an old official paper presented by Mrs. Evans, the daughter of Robert Mills, now living in’ this elty, was as tollow This de ces the idea of a grand cir- cular colon building, 250 feet in diame and 100 feet. hixh, trom which springs obelisk shait 70 teef at the base and 50U & high, making a total elevation of 600 fect. ‘This vast rotunda, iorming the grand base o the monument, is surrounded by massive proportions, being 12 feet in diuneter and 45 teet hich, elevated upe stylobate of 2U feet elevation and square, surmounted by un enti high, and erowned by amass feet {n height, ‘The terrace outside of the ¢ wide, and the pronaos or wa! nade, including the eolumu space, 25 The Walks inclosing the cella, or gallery within, fretted with 30 massive ante (pilasters) 10'f wide, 45 feet hizh, and 7%, feet projection, answering to the columns in front, surmounted by their” appropriate architrave. The deep recesses formed by the projection of the antes. provide suitable niches ior the reception of statues. A tetrastyle portico (4 columns in front) i triple rows of the same proportions and ori with the columns of the colonnade, dis guishes the entrance to the monument, aud Serves as a pedestal tor the triumphal cat and statue of the illustrious chief; the steps of this portico are flanked by massive blocki mounted by appropriate figures and Wophies. Over each column is the great frieze ot t tablatures around the entire buildin: tured escutcheons (coats ofarms of € the Union, surrounded by brouze civ banded toxether by festoons of ak leaves, & all of which spring, each way, trom the of the portico. where the cout of arms of the United States are emblazoned, ‘The statues surrounding the rotunda outside. under the colonnade, ure all elevated upon pedestals, and will be those of the glorious signers of the Declaration of Independence. Ascending the portico outside to the terrace level, a lofty vomitoria (door way) 30 feet h leads Into the’cella (rotunda g 500 fect in clreumference a collossal pillar in the cente ter, around Which the gallery sweeps, Th pillar forms the foundation of the obelisk column above. Both sides of the gallery are divided into BOO tect ature 20 ivet e bulustrade 15 nade is 25 feet thin the colen- spaces by pilasters. elevated on a continued zocle or base 5 teet high, forming an order with its entabl: vaulted ceiling 20 tee! ure, 40 fect high, crowned by i high, divided by radiat- ing archevaults, corresponding with the reli tive positions of the opposing pilasters, and en- closing deep sunken coffers enriched with paintings ‘The spaces between the pllastersare sunk into niches tor the reception of the statues of fathers of the Revolution, contemporary with the immortal Washington; over which aie lane tablets toreceive the national paintings comine morative of the battle and other scenes of t temorable period. Opposite to the entran: this gallery, at the extremity of the great lar wall, is the grand niche for the reception of the statue of the “Fa ther of his Country” —ele- vated on its appropriate pedestal, aud desi nated as principal In the group by its colos. Proportions. This spacious gallery and rotunda, which pro- perly may be denominated the “National Pane theon," is lighted in four grand divisions above, and by its circular form, presents each subject decorating Its walls in’ an interesting point of view, and with proper effect, as the cu- Tiosity 1s kept up every moment,’ from’ the wholé room not being presented tothe eve at one glance, as in the ease of a straight galler Entering the center pier through an arched Way, You pass into a spacious cireular arca,and ascend with an easy grade, by a railway, to the grand terrace, 75 feet above the base of the mon- ument. This terrace is 70U feet in reum fe: ence, 180 wide, enclosed by a colonnaded balus- n ng. The clreuit of this grand terrace is studded with sinall temple-formed structures, constituting the cupolas of the lanterns, lighting the Pan- theon gallery below, by means otf these little trade, 15 feet feet h igh with its base and cap) temples, from a gallery within, a bird's eye view Is had of the statues, &., below. Through the base of the great circle of the balustrade are four apertures at the four cardi- nal points, leading outside of the balustrade, upon the top of the main cornice, where a. gult lery six feet wide and 750 feet in'clreum ference encireles the whole, enclosed by an ornamental guard, forming thé crowning member on the top of the tholus of the main cornice of the grand colonnade. Within the thickness of this wall staircases descend to a lower gallery ove the plafond of the pronaos of the colonnade lighted from above. This gallery, which extends all round the colonnade. is twenty feet wide— divided into rooms for the records of the monu- ment, works of art, or studios for artists en- gaged In the service of the monurnent. Twoother Ways communteate with this gallery trom low. . In the center of the grand terrace above de- scribed, rises the lofty obelisk shaft of the mon ument, fifty feet square at the base and 50 feet high, diminishing as ft rises to its apex, where It is forty feet square; at the foot of this shaftand on each face project four massive zocles twenty-five feet high,supporting somany colossal symbolic tripods ‘of victory twenty feet high, surmounted by fascial cohimns with their symbols of authority. ‘These zocle fuces are embellished with inscriptions, which are continued around the entire base ‘of the shaft and occupy the surface of that part of the shaft between the tripods, On each face of the shaft above this is sculptured the four leading events in Gen. Washington's eventful career, in basso retievo, and above this the shaft 1s’ perfectly plain to within fifty feet of its summit, where a simple star 1s placed, emblematic of the glory which the name of Washington has attained, To ascend to the summit of the column the fame facliitics as elow are provided, within the shaft by an easy graded gallery, which may be traversed by a railway, terminating in a cir- cular observatory twenty feet in diamater, around which at the top is a look-out gallery, which opens a prospect all around the horizon, ‘With reference to the area embraced by the foundations and basement of the monument and the uses to which they may be applied, the underspace outwards, occupied by the lower terrace and colonnade, may be appropriated to the accommodation of the keepers of the mon- pment, or those having charge of it and attend- on rs, nee apartments, which are arched, are well lghted ana aired, as they are all above ground, the light being disposed in the sunk panels o! the stylobate (base.) The principal entrance to all these apartments will be. from the rear or Opposite side of the portico entrance. The tnner or that under the grand gallery or rotundo, may be Ss Aape athe ‘to catacombs for the reception of remains of such distin- guished men as the nation may honor with in- ment re, subterranean gallery 80 Jorge and lofty that it would accommodate cal In the center of the monument is placed the tomb of Washington to receive his remains the same gut which titnines hip statues MODIFYING THE PLAN. Thiselaborate plan waa modified consider- ably before the corner-stone was laid. After the society had secured funds h to war- Mills bomel yg hp win wrote routennt 30 29 titres 19 five ‘hundred fect. in April they te- they, in fay elevation of feet, but Semen eens wearers a clear, leaving the teror the surrounding terrace undetermined. The shaft was com- 55 feet square at the base instead of Riser pnt! poeta she obse: surge strong ¢ that var has been suc iy plished by a signal applic selene, they speetiul but ur the s pletion of the work without more deia ing to the p cour posipone t anether seneration, to involve the whoie sub- ject in continued perpiexities, and to necessi- have nc con of both pr | owe their olumns Of | Cane or eta stands, proudly on t few persons, it any, are found at this day to wish U | this monument to Washington when completed according to the present plans, of much more than twice the height of the Bunker hill obe- criticism ornate m. set,or might abundant t of any period. antiquit: of our of hit The he eiscly ten times the dimension ¢ own monument to Washing ment of the base being fift among de at the capital, a v engine onc secured from a single quarr; proportions of tiv m transgresses greatly. The tian obelisks do not, indeed, all con- form With mathematical exactness’ to their own normal proportions, but (probably from defects in the stone) frequently vary somewhat from them. When {dole however, deviating trom thee Tegal leviat m the jar shape. obelisk consists: of a naked shaft, with or witout inscription, the height ef which is ten times the width of its base, so that ifthe base of the shaftis fifty feet square then the height of the shaft must be five paired, feet, untfl at came to a standstill in 1856 on account ofa lack of fonds. RECENT DISCUSSION OF THE DESIGN. When a few years ago it appeared probable that Congress would complete the work the de- sign became again a matter of discussion. Many propositions were made for utilizing so much of he shaft as had been erected in a design differ. ent from that originally adopted. One was that it should be made a pedestal for a colossal statue of George Washington, and another that the Bartholdi statue of Liberty, intended for New York harbor, should be ‘elevated upon this stump of a shaft; another suggestion was that the incompleted’shaft be used in constrnetin @ grand triumphal arch. When Congress ai last made provision for resuming the work, in 1876, the Attention of the engineers was first directed to the foundation, and that was strengthened sufficiently to bear the weight which it was expected would be put upon it. The design first proposed by the commission was to carry the monument to a height of 525 fee! onry to the height of 500 feet, and tocrown the shaft with a pyramidal roof of iron 25 feet in height. This roof, it was thought, couid be covered with hammered glass over Some por- to give light to the well of the monument. auently the proper proportions of the shaft were the subject o: A plan was also proposed by Larkin G. Mead, the sculptor, to affix to the four sides of the ft, near the base, immense bronze panels representing the great epoch-marking scenes in Washington's life. A study of the proportions sted a change of the height to 550 feet, the ‘pyramidon on top to havea height of 56 feet, THE MODERN IDEA. The Washington Monument society, in a me- morial to Congress, dated April 26th, 1880, dis- cussed the design of the monument in the fol- lor ing words: ‘The undersigned are not unmindfal that rts have been made of late to throw discredit on the design of the monument, and as pluus have been presented for wging the churacter of the structure. Nor has the association, which the undersigned have the honor to represent, ever been unwill- ing that sttch modifications of the design should gave formal ion a year ago to their ‘om- ist nericun artist, Mr. Story, who had kindly given hisattention to the subject; but now that the strengthening of the foundation essfuily and triumphantly accom- tion of skill and arfrom making a re- appeal to Congress to give netion to the prosecution and com- , accord by the: commis- With the Presi- head, and by their direction, Any other are convinced, would be likely to completion of the monument for xpri final the enseii thes je Vastly larger appropriations in theend than cen usked tor, in element of the Original design of . The pantheon posed. tse was long ago indoned. The simple obelisit is all thatis nlempluted. It has’ Leen objected in some quarters that the ancicut obelisks were all monoliths—massive gle stones, cut whole from the quarry; but country has been proud to give examples and material structures which th to union; and this monu- ton will not be the less signifi- ‘embodying the idea of our ment to Wack national motio, *£ pluribus unun Whoa the well-known monument on Bunker hill wasoriginally projected, more than haif a century azo, an obelisk of this composite ¢har- | acter, ‘constructed of separate blocks of hewn granite, was ag guished artists and vee by the most distin- rehitects of that day, The late eminent sculptor, Horatlo Greenough, fur nisied the design, and it was approved by Giloert Stuart, W mi Baldwin, "I and shington Allston, and Loam- ie! Webster, Joseph Story, ward Everett united at'the time ‘n pro- nouncing it the mos MNeetive design for 1. mon- winent ofthat momentous battle. It was fin- ed accordingly, and has stood, and still consecrated spot; and ithad sumed any otherform. And lisk, and vure white marble, will silence all dcavil, Doubt hing more original and more heen conceived at. the out- ow be designed; but there are lds for the exhibition of advanced tn other parts of the country, if not here. his monument and its design will date back to the time of its inception, and will make no pretensions to illustrate the arts of 1880, It Was not undertaken to illustrate the fine arts but to commemorate the fore- most nan ofall the ages. Indeed, it will date back in its form and its proportions to a remote Itis a most interesting fact eom- municated to us in the letters,hereto appended, qmplished American ininister at Rome, the Hon. George P. Marsh, as the result own researches, that the ‘proportions of this inonument as now designed, are precisely those of all the best known ancient obelisks, cht of hose montments {8 ascertained by him to have been uniformly and almost pre- ithe base, and this proportion hus now been decided on for our om, the measuse- five feet, and the ected elevation five hundred and fitty feet, But without dwelling further on the subject of the design, it seems to the undersigned suf ficient respectfully to suggest that. the question betore Congress at this moment is, not whether the original y ight not have been im- proved to ad’ but whether this long- delayed Work shall be finished within any rea- sonable period and at any estimable cost, or be leit still longer as a subject for competition ‘3 and contractors—an eye-sore ation to Congfess and a re- proach to the country. By the adoption of the Pecommendations of the commissioners and the r the work may be completed within the next four years, The machinery for the elevation of the stones has been most inge- niously contrived, and is now ulmost in readi- ness for action; and by the appropriation at ¥ the sum now asked for, the marble for the whole structure may be contracted for and nd the danger avoided of having marble of different shades and qualities, which might seriously impair the effect of the obelisk, The monument would thus be completed with an asstrance of that har- mony of color which is essential to Its beauty. ‘The undersigned have a deep feeling that the time has arrived for finishing. this great work according to the general design of those by whom it was undertaken, and they have the fullest confidence that such’a course ‘Will commend it- self to the approbation of the whole county. While the structure would make no appeal toa, close and critical inspection as a mere work of art, it would give acrowing finish to the grand public buildings of the capital, would add a Unique feature to the surrounding landscape, and would attract the adiiring gaze of the most distant observers in the wide Tunge over which it would be visible. It would be eminent- ly a monument for the appreciation of the many, if notof the few, and would thus verity the designation, originally given to it, of ‘The Peoples Monument to their most illustrious Benetactor.” A simple, sublime shaft, on a commanding bank of the Potomacand within view of Mount Vernon. resting on the very spot selected by Washington. himself for ‘a monument of the American revolution, and rising nearer to the skies than any known monumenton earth, will be no unworthy,memorial, or inappropriate em- blem, of his own exalted character and pre-emi- nent Services. It will certainly need io elabo- rate sculpture or ornamentation to impress upon all who shall behold it, from generation to gen- eration, a becoming sense of the grandeur of his career and of the und: tude of the people of the MINISTER MARSH ON THE SUBJECT OF OBE- 4 veneration and gratl- Gaited States.” LISKS. Accompanying this memorial were two letters from Hon. George P, Marsh, our minister to Rome, toSenator Edmunds, In the first, dated February 9, 1879, Mr. Marsh said: “By a letter from the sculptor Mead to Mra. Marsh, I understand that the main feature of the Washington monument is to be an obelisk of great height, statue, and with basreliefs at a suitable height from the base. I believe I ha’ seen but sketched every existing cenuine—that 1s, Egyptian—obelisk, for no other can fairly be said to be genuine. ‘The obelisk is not an arbi- trary structure which every one 1s free to sect, with such form and proportions as sult his taste and convenience, and proportions were fixed by the usage of thousands of years; they satisfy every cultivae ted eye, and depart from them. In its object the obelisk 1s monumental, 1ts inscriptions having reference to and indicating what or whom it commemo- rates. I do not think bas-reliets too great a departure from the primitive character of the inscriptions, because we can come no nearer an alphabet answering the pu: surmounted by a colossal notonly utits objects, form hold it an esthetical’ crime to ‘he most eae point is the form and e structure, as to which the rn builder of obelisks to have settled those questions of form irre- oeably. Second, the Itwas decided to construct the shaft of considerable correspondence. | ed by the ancients in rearing obelisks | as should be found necessary for the | absolute seenrity of the work. With this view, they acquiescence in the general plans of the w same rate as the shat i uscertained dimension: C, Winthrop to you for sex only a second vic association, and am not included In the com mission for comple or lot in the original design « John Quiney Adams hnd been relied upon t stone, as Speaker of the House, mental in raising small p: many ‘sign ofthe base of the shaft, and therefore greater than the side of its own base. There are cases where the blerozirphics ran up one or more faces of the pyramicion, but In reneral these faces are perfectly " plain, ‘he Egyptians often cove the whole pyra- midion With a closely fitted gilt bronze cap, the effect of which must have been magnificent. It has been said that it was sometimes surmount- ed by a gilt star, but I doubt this, for the easing ofthe pyramidion would of itself have muc! the same effect. The notion of spitting a statue on the sharp oint ofa pyramidion is supremely absurd, Not less BO Is th for un acute pyramidion, or the making of a Window in the face of the pyramidion ot of the shaft, both of which atrocities were’committed in the Bunker Hill Monument. There will no doubt be people who will be foolish enough to insist on a peep-hole somewhere: and if ther must be gratigied the window should be of the exact form nd size of one of the stones, and provided with a close-fitting shutter colored ex- | actly like the stone, so that when shut it would be nearly or quite tiperceptible The second letter, dated April 25, 1 i “Tam much obligéd to you for yours of April 8, with Gen. Casey's letter and the two Congres: sional documents. Iam agreeably surprised to learn from Gen. Casey's interesting letter t the normal proportions have been so nearly served hitherto in the construction of the obe- lisk. Intact, It being difficult to obtain such Vast masses of granite rock, even In the qual rics of Syene, entirely free from flaws, th Egyptians wete very often obliged to depart more or less from the proportions most satistac- tory to the eye, and the Washington obelisk conforms so neatly to those proportions, except in two points, that it is hardly subject to eriti- cism. These ‘points are, the batter, which Is more rapid than in any’ obelisk known to me, and the pyramidion.” Perhaps the designer adopted the proportions from considerations of stability, as a summit considerably less than the base would give greater security, and when the dimensions are all so great differences of proportion are less appreciable. Asto the form and proportion of the py midion, tue existing obelisks are more uutiorm than in the measurement of the shaft, and I think that, not merely on the ground’of pre- cedent but on that of taste, It would be by ail means advisable to give to the pyramidion of the Washington obelisk a height of not less than fifty fect. In any case, if the hei; pyramidion is not gr than the side « e,the summit will have a truncated s! quite out of harmony with the soaring ter of the structure. I infer from Gen, nying Mr. Corcoran a- v's drawings, aecompa- letter, that the plan er a sort of temple-lik cresence from the base—a highly objectionabie feature—is abandoned. It iscurious that we do not know p isely what the Exyptian form of the base was, thorities state it was a die of than the shatt, a with side: but Ido not find satis factory evidence that th ny mm Universal, though itv iiily be an propriate and harmony Ofcourse any desirable base ean be cou A around the shaft. There are obelisks the surt indicates that they were stuccoed, sts that if th shall, from tir be found tone may . same We have no knowledge of any Ezy}tian obe- lisk much exceeding one hundred feet in heiiit, though some ancient writers speak of =u monuments of considerabl eater dimensic The extreme difficulty of obtaining monoliths exceeding one hundred fe that the measurements of the authorities tefer- red to were mere vague estimates rather than vee MR. WINTHROP’S VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT. The following interesting lette m Robert enator Morrill, ds 1875, was also the 20th ult Your tavor ¢ me the read with it interest. Tam president of the Monument Which I 1 ngthe work. Thad no part the monument. ver the oration at the laying of the cor On his death, in 1545, 1 was ¢: take his 1 then, been instru- the prosecution of al question, [an ent design; and 1 b no art in inducing the building committee, ears ago, to omit the theou at 1b and to confine the design tu a simple . After that was arranged, and whi nent had reached soc height, Twas very averse to A whole generation of men, women and dren had contribu sums, to this particular monument; and states, cities’ and foreign nations had sent stones for its completion. To tear it all down, with aview to improve the design, was abhorrent tome. Story called tosee me when he was in Boston, and’ I told him that, so far as I was erned, my first wish Was to finish the monument as simpie obelisk; but that, if a change was unavoidable, owing to any insecurity of the fou ations, his dea of turning it into an ornamental Lombard er Was the best plan Thad seen suggested. His ietter Mereases my appreciation of his de= sign, though I am airaid that it would in- volve an amount of money and time which nuld postpone the completion for another generation. As it is, I understand the whol question tobe settled, and that the commis sioners are now going on to strengthen foundations and carry up the obelisk to 4s feet. [heartily hope that this fs so, and tha the one hundred and fiftieth anniversar birthday of Washington, in 1s years hence, we ma. nd celebrate the complishmeng of this long-deferred work. If I live to that day, I willeome on and heat you deliver the oration. lam aware that what is called ‘advanced art’ looks with scorn on anything so simple and bald as an obelisk, more espectally when it ismade up of a thousand pieces, inste being a monolith shaft. Yet the Bunker Hill monument, of which the design was furnished by one of our earliest and best artists, Hor Greenough, 1s one of these composite obelisks, and Webster was proud to upostrophize it ‘the true orator of the day,’ when he was pro- nouncing his own Incomparable orsition. I recall other obelisk: home and abroad which tell their story most impressively; and when I look around tosee what ‘advanced art’ has done for us and done for itself in the myriad soldiers’ monuments which have been ntly erected, I fall back on the simple shaft as at least not inferior to any one of them in effect, and as free from anything tinsel or tawdry. A grand arch, which I believe you once pro- nsed, would be a noble monument of our inion, and might well be the subject of inde- pendent consideration in season for the centen- Nia’ of the organization of the government in 1889. Ihave repeatedly urged such an arch as commemorative of our Constitational Union, in Boston, But it would have still greater pro- riety in Washington. I cannot help hoping, jowever, that it will be erected with new stones and without any disturbance of the Washing- ton obelisk.” 1 have occastonally the structure, Ax have desired a diile ore THE MONUMENT AS COMPLETED under Col. Casey's supervision is true to the proportions laid down by Mr. Marsh as requi- site toa perfect obelisk. The structure is 555 feet 54g inches in helght, the shaft being 55 feet pig inches square at the base, 555 feet Big inches igh and 34 feet 5% inches ‘square at the top. The pyramidion or apex is 55 feet high. The batter of the sides 1s -247 ofan tach 20 one foot in rise, No des! ret_ been adopted for base of the g montiments Upon this subject Col. Case; Teport: . ‘erwo methods of treating the terrace at the Inethod proposes to erect a retaining wall ofthe met erect @ retain Most rare and beautiful marbles around. the rrace, which wall is to be surmounted with a marble balustrade and ornamented with bronzes and mosaics. At the center of each s face is to be a set of broad, double stairs, extend- ing from the level of the site to the expianade, Be een ta daved unmerbis ties nod in all fis deta the whole work to be de- in a Ye substitution of a low hipped roof ers it probable | d, in larger or smaller dof | | | | no break anywhere in the harmony of white marble. Col. Casey That the two doorways jeading Into monu- ment shouid be closed by building them up with thin marbie walls, the stone to match with the bond and material of the facing. Ene trances to the floor of the shaft shoud then be made through short passages beneath the ter | race, and a Might of steps running up under the closures of the doorways. This closing of the doors will present the strueture to the eye and mind as an obelisk pure and simple, and will undoubtedly add to the dignity and impres siveness of the structure, — ee. THE MASONS AND THE CORNER- STONE. The Story Told by the Records of the Grand Lodge—Masons and Masonic Bodies nies in 184s. According to the records of the Most Worship- ful Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Co- Inmbia, at a meeting of that body May 24, 1848, at the i corner of 10th and E streets, a letter was received from Archibald Henderson, ofthe Monument society, enclosing resolutions adopted by the committee appointed to arrange for the laying of th cornerstone, Inviting the Grand Lod Masons and the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows’ in the District to attend the | Ceremony on the 4th of July following, and | Signing tothe Grand Lod, | | orat requesting the Grand Masters to invite such other grand and subordinate lodges as they med advisable, AtionS Were at once adopted, acceptin the invitacion or the Monument association, an Tequesting the M. W. Grand Master to lavite gyety Grond Lodge of Masons in the United States with which this Grand Lodge wasin cor- Tespondence toattend aud assist a the coremo- nies . dinate lodges in the Distr Knighis Templars a pters to lappear in tall reali 4 empowering the M. W. Grand Master to consult’ with the Monument associa- tien relative tothe laying of the cornerstor and make such arrungements as may see Proper tor theoceasion. The Masons at onee set About the necessary preparations for the event, The Grund Master appoluted Brothers John By David McComb, S.York Atlee, A. E. Elia- J. Preston, H.C. Witiains, A.B, Upshur d Wm, Cratafelat & committee, which Taised the funds to defray expenses, THE ALEXANDRIA WASHINGTON LODGE. Ata subsequent meet.ag of the Grand Lodge & correspondence was read between the com. mittee of arrangementsof Alexandria Washing- ington L 22, (of which Brother George Washington was the R, W. master, the agent ef the National Washington monument as fon, aud the M. W, Grand Master of this a Lod object of the former bh obtain an tavitation to assist in th tth July next; the M. W promptly gave the tive ot the lode wh lustrous B ther Washington” presided was particularly a) we ofeach of the subordinate ted # committ arrange y © grand lodges. On 16th, 1848, Grand Master B. B. French ed irom Elisha Whittiescy,of the Monu- ment association, a letter transit of the proceedings of the poard of Manag District the imenument, ot laying Jayins ofthe corner-ste The letter In th the ne ota stupe muMeEnt to express a nations gratitude aud to perpetrate 1, | the virtues and the sere "ces cr the SL muna taking him alli you will work with the same tools with d, ina society ol Which he was dand ornament. This distinction has never been enjoyed by prince or potentate.” THE FREDERICKSBURG Lom A communication was read at the necting of the Grand Lodge, June 28, 1848, fro ericksburg Lodge, of Fredericksbun: F have it in contemplation to visit W und be the coruerstone onal monument, on the prosimo, This lodge hus the r of «x init passed raised Geo ston, ords, still In existence, abundar was appointed to walton nit arrived, iso a resolution of Bro. 8. we was adopted, that “the Alexandria uy Lodge be requested to lox o this: id Ledee, for the use of its MW. Masti heath July next, th 1 aprow, yelonging to e Washington, bow in the custody lee, togetber with the chair which Was occupied by him us its R. W.M me vbelng designed for the or thie day on tine sald 4th J Bros. AtLee, McComb aud J. B. Thomas were appointed a comiittee to wait on Alexandria Washington Lodge and receive the articles, and afler use to sately return them, A resolution was also adopted that Potomac Lodze, of Georgetown, be requested to loan tothe Grand Lodge the gavel used by Brother Wash- ington on the occasion of his laying the corner- ne of the Capitol, for the useor the M. W. d Master in laying the corner-stone of the mouument, Brothers Wimsatt, Powell, McComb, Eliason, rye, Hove, Crutzividt and Hancock’ were pointed a committee to collect funds for a colla- tion for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge and its visiting brethren on the occasion ; also to cover the cost for music on that occasion. THE CEREMONIES ON JULY 47H, Tuesday, July 4th, the Grand Lodge met at So'clock in the morning at Masonie hall, cor ner E and 10th streets, that being the day set apart for the laving of the corner-stone of the National Washington monument. There were resent B. B. French, M. W. Grand. Master: Master; Oliver Whittle- © Warden; David McComb, arden; Charles §. Frailey, Robt. Clarke, R.W.G, Treas: W. G. Senlor Deacon; W. ny W.G, or Deacon; James B.Thomas, Marshal; Y. P. Page, W. G.Sword-bearer: s Hurst, W. G. Pursutvant; and L. A! Adains. W. G. Tyler; also P. G. Masters C.T- Coote, Robert Keyworth and Wm. B. M der; "the officers and members of Alex. andria Washington Lodge, No, 22, of Virginia the officers and members of Fredericksburg ie 4, of Virginia; representatives of the and’ Lodges of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, nusylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, vuth Caroli ‘corgia and Texas; Brother Joseph K. Stapleton, MF. H. P..of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter'of Maryiand, and Brother Josias Sturgis, of Boston, the latte: whom peated, in the. regalla ‘formerly, belonging Brother Gen, Warren, of the revolution, There was ‘also present @ very large assem- Dlage of the brethren of the different subordi- ee anes in this city. Fredericksbu: Loge, The R. W. master of eric! No. 4, exhibited the unclent records of sad vdge, Showing the inittation by that lodge of urge Washington on the 4uh of November, of luis passing, on the 8d of Mareh, 1753, 1of his being raised in said lodge, on the 4th of August, 1753. The M. W. G. master having made the neces- sary appointments of bearers of the great and lesser lights, of the corn, wine, oll, &., &c., di- rected the W.G. marshal, James’ B, Thomas, to form the procession, Brothers Johnson and Raub appeared in the procession as grand stewards, with white rods; rother N. Mullikin, with cornucopia; Brothers Lamb and Wimsatt, the former bearing the Xase with wine, the other that with oil; R.W.G. T. Robert Clarke and R. KW. G. R.W.G. Se A. I sorted by two stewards; Brothers Dulin and Hail, bearing two lesser lights; Brother J. Nokes as RIW.G. and Brother MeComb, R.W.G. junior warden; R.W.P.D.G.M. H. B. Roberson as R.W.D.G. master, Brother 8. Yorke AtLee, R. W. master of Federal Lodge, No. 1, carrying the book of constitutions on” @ velvet Won; Brothers Upshur and Palmer, as W. G. 8. and J. deacons, with black rods. BM W. Grand Master B.B. French was supported on the Fight and let M. W. P. lasters Mi ler ani Ki Brother Y. P. Page, W. G. S. bearer, an er U. Hurst, W. G. pursuivant; M. E- H. P. Joseph _K. Stapleton rode in a with M. W. PG. M. Coote and RW. PD Master Robert B. Boyd." The on E street, the right resting on 10th and then moved down 10th to D until tt joined the rest of the procession, composed of the military, the fire companies, the order of Odd Fellows, cinperance and ottier associations taking post tion on the extreme left, when it followed the e body which moved down Louisiana ave- nue to 3d street, down Sd to Pennsylvania ave- nue, up the latter avenue to 14th street, down 14th street to the site selected for the monu- ment, where the ceremonies took place, After the ceremonies the Masonic brethren repaired in a body to Apollo hall, where # colla- tion had been prepared by the committee. THE WASHINGTON MASONIC BELICS. he laid the corner-stone of the U. 8. Capitel Sep- pepeninsalientart the el Valentine ‘ashington presented gavel to Rentzel, W. M., for Columbia Lodge, No. 8, 4 under the jurisdiction of the Grand of ——— rar ume, and yy ige'or the of Georeetokn, under The gavel jth Hat fel i i £ 4 a iu ‘ th : | : , 4