The Supreme Court Chamber, 1810-1860

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United States Senate Commission on Art and Antiquities, 1981 - Old Supreme Court Chamber (United States Capitol, Washing, D.C.) - 12 pages
 

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Page 7 - Madison and a train of ladies enter'd, — he recommenced, went over the same ground, using fewer arguments, but scattering more flowers. And the day I was there I am certain he thought more of the female part of his audience than of the court, and on concluding, he recognized their presence, when he said, "He would not weary the court, by going thro a long list of cases to prove his argument, as it would not only be fatiguing to them, but inimical to the laws of good taste, which on the present...
Page 5 - ... of grave mahogany ; and below them is the bar; and behind that an arcade, still higher, so contrived as to afford auditors double rows of terrace seats thrown in segments round the transverse arch under which the Judges sit. . . . When I went into the Court of Justice yesterday, one side of the fine forensic colonnade was occupied by a party of ladies, who, after loitering some time in the gallery of the Representatives, had sauntered into the hall, and were, with their attendants sacrificing...
Page 5 - Great efforts were made to destroy the court room, which was built with uncommon solidity, by collecting into it, and setting fire to, the furniture of the adjacent rooms. By this means the columns were cracked exceedingly; but it still stood, and the vault was uninjured. It was, however, very slenderly supported and its condition dangerous.
Page 6 - Webster is a lover of ease and pleasure, and has an air of the most unaffected indolence and careless self-sufficiency. It is something to see him moved with anxiety and the toil of intellectual conflict; to see his lips tremble, his nostrils expand, the perspiration start upon his brow; to hear his voice vary with emotion, and to watch the expression of laborious thought while he pauses, for minutes together, to consider his notes, and decide upon the arrangement of his argument.
Page 1 - Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate, having listened to eulogies on the character and public services of Hon.
Page 4 - Under the Senate Chamber is the Hall of Justice, the ceiling of which is not unfancifully formed by the arches that support the former. The Judges in their robes of solemn black are raised on seats of grave mahogany, and below them is the bar, and behind that an arcade, still higher, so contrived as to afford auditors double rows of terrace seats thrown in segments round the transverse arch under which the Judges sit. . . . When I went into the court of Justice yesterday, one side of...
Page 7 - ... to have added to his popularity, and animated him in his professional pursuits. Never have his talents been displayed with such power and brilliancy. Curiosity led me against my judgement, to join the female crowd who throng the [Supreme] court room. A place in which I think women have no business. The effect of female admiration and attention has been very obvious, but it is a doubt to me whether it has been beneficial, indeed I believe otherwise. A member told me he doubted not, there had been...
Page 7 - Pinkney [the attorney general] had finished his argument and was just about seating himself when Mrs. Madison and a train of ladies entered. He recommenced, went over the same ground, using fewer arguments, but scattering more flowers.
Page 4 - ... formed by the arches that support the former. The Judges in their robes of solemn black are raised on seats of grave mahogany; and below them is the bar; and behind that an arcade, still higher, so contrived as to afford auditors double rows of terrace seats thrown in segments round the transverse arch under which the Judges sit. . . . When I went into the Court of Justice yesterday, one side of the fine forensic colonnade was occupied by a party of ladies, who, after loitering some time in the...
Page 7 - A member told me he doubted not, there had been much more speaking on this account, and another gentleman told me, that one day Mr. Pinckney had finished his argument and was just about seating himself when Mrs. Madison and a train of ladies enter'd, — he recommenced, went over the same ground, using fewer arguments, but scattering more flowers. And the day I was there I am certain he thought more of the female part of his audience than of the court, and on concluding, he recognized their presence,...

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