11 HAND-BOOK OF WASHINGTON. THE CAPITOL. This building is situated on the western por tion of an area enclosed by an iron railing, and embracing many acres. It is so elevated as to command a view of the entire City of Washing ton, the heights of Georgetown, the windings of the Potomac and the City of Alexandria. The central part of this whole edifice—the old wings and center becoming the center of the new—was commenced in the year 1793, with Mr. Ilallct as architect, who was suc ceeded in that capacity by Mr. Iladficld, Mr. Iloban, and Mr. Latrobc. During the Em bargo and the accompanying war, the work was suspended, and as the British subsequently de molished much of what had been accomplished by the above named gentlemen, the Government in 1815 found it necessary to reconstruct it; and this portion of the building was finished chiefly ■under the superintendence of Mr. C. Bulfinch. The exterior exhibits a rusticated basement of the height of the first story, the two other stories are comprised in a Corinthian elevation of pilas ters and columns; these columns which are thirty feet in height form an advancing portico on the ■east, one hundred and sixty feet in extent, the WASHINGTON.