The national Capitol; its architecture, art and history . estal bearing the inscription July 4, 1776,her left hand pointing to the figure of Justice, who, with unveiled face, is viewing thescales, and the right hand presenting an open scroll inscribed Constitution, March 4, 1789;on the left of the principal figure is the eagle, and a figure of Hope resting on her anchor,with face and right hand up-lifted,—the whole intended to convey that while we cultivateJustice we may hope for success. The figures are bold, of 9 feet in height, and gracefullydrawn by Mr. Persico, an Italian artist. It is in
The national Capitol; its architecture, art and history . estal bearing the inscription July 4, 1776,her left hand pointing to the figure of Justice, who, with unveiled face, is viewing thescales, and the right hand presenting an open scroll inscribed Constitution, March 4, 1789;on the left of the principal figure is the eagle, and a figure of Hope resting on her anchor,with face and right hand up-lifted,—the whole intended to convey that while we cultivateJustice we may hope for success. The figures are bold, of 9 feet in height, and gracefullydrawn by Mr. Persico, an Italian artist. It is intended that an appropriate inscriptionshall explain the meaning and moral to dull comprehensions. The cost of this work to the government, though the design of the Presi-dent should have been, and undoubtedly was, gratuitous, was $15,000. Soonafter its completion, a part of the arm of the figure of Justice, together withthe Constitution, fell from the action of frost to the steps of the portico, andwas shattered into fragments. 88 The National Capitol. An effective piece of work, designed by Crawford, representing the prog-ress of American civilization and the decadence of the Indian race, adornsthe pediment of the eastern portico of the Senate wing. In the center standsAmerica. On her right are the soldier, merchant, youths, schoolmaster, pupiland mechanic, with the anchor and wheat sheaf as emblems of stability andprosperity. On her left, the march of Western civilization is further typifiedby the pioneer—whom curiously enough the sculptor has represented as chop-ping left-handed ; and by the hunter, the Indian brave, the Indian motherand child, and, as the last sad chapter in the story, the Indian grave. The pediment was completed in 1862. The statues, which were executedin the shops of the extensions, of marble from Lee, Massachusetts, are fastenedwith heavy copper clamps. The figure of America for several years stoodupon a pedestal in the park; the companion pieces upo
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