AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 75 



As we descend again, and come amongst the 

 sights and sounds of daily life, a sudden awaken- 

 ing to reality occurs. We now pass to the wings 

 on either side of the main building devoted to 

 the use of the two Houses composing our Amer- 

 ican Congress. On visiting the House of Rep- 

 resentatives, when in session, the visitor is di- 

 rected to the gallery which surrounds and looks 

 down upon the hall ; and, should he be a favored 

 one, he is shown to a seat in that portion of the 

 gallery reserved for the diplomatic corps, friends 

 of members and distinguished visitors. There 

 one can sit at ease, apart from the crowds which 

 fill the other portions, and may listen to the 

 speeches of representatives from every State in 

 the Union, as they deliberate on the laws by 

 which the country is to be governed ; may note 

 the voting, and sometimes hear the exciting con- 

 test as the dignity of debate is lost in some par- 

 tisan wrangle. 



The Treasury Building is a beautiful edifice, 

 and is always the scene of busy life, the activity 

 extending from the topmost floor to the furnace 



