AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 73 



most conspicuous object as one enters the city ; 

 especially is this so when the magnificent dome 

 is lighted ; one then gazes with delight on the 

 beauty of its perfect architecture. 



On entering the Capitol by its massive mar- 

 ble portico, the visitor first views the reception 

 rooms, then passes to the rotunda, the walls of 

 which are adorned with paintings, many of which 

 are commemorative of important events in the 

 early history of America, and some of a later 

 date. Statuary also meets the eye, and promi- 

 nent amongst it is the life-size statue of the mar- 

 tyred President, Abraham Lincoln, from the 

 chisel of Vinnie Ream. As one looks on this 

 work, which has been so severely criticised, he 

 will feel the injustice done her, and be likely, 

 with the writer, to believe that the attacks were 

 prompted by the fact that it was a lady who se- 

 cured the contract. I enjoyed the pleasure of a 

 visit to the studio of the gentle sculptor, where 

 we found the lady, surrounded by specimens of 

 her wonderful skill in this noble art. 



