Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-07-24

gainst impertncn, and interested persons Iua
public, where the officers, from the chief magistrate
10 the humble messenger must be seen when rcsluir-
ed, low their fclow-czcns, the seat of government
should be IN tranquil place, where population in
crcases moderately, and where business pleasure
attracts. With these Impressions Washington will
IT was founded and though in winter the :. nipping
and eager arr may be keenly felt from the elevation
upon which the Capitol proudly stands yet in spring
ana summer, the pure and basamic breeze must mi
MISTER 10 health and recreation
The hist attraction TO stranger in Washington is
the Capitol, one of the most srlendid> though the
It's Somerset House and White Hall Amsterdam, of
Its Stadt House Paris of the Chamber ofDeputies
and Louvre yet none of these To he compared
to, or vie with the splendour oil this American
masnhcence in this noble pile, destined for noble
| uses, which is ludcrous, if not dissraceful.
mounted the hill in the OF the building, nearly
as hSii, though less rugged than the ascent the
!Ereopagus at Athens. All was silent around me
the workucn had ceased from their labourS, and not
soul was stirring. entered the vestbule, and such
was the dreary silence which prevailed, that only
some Etnk grass, some peepng from the lrettcd
cornices, and n flight of bats were wanting TO con-
vince me that was wandering among the reliques of
anquitv instead OF viewing the unfinished Capitol oil
the republic.
The superb flight of stairs covered with dust, led
me To the saloon where the members of what is called
inc Lower House assemble. The ponderous arm,
chairs and mahogany tables the richly ornamen,ed
chair of the speaker the Turkey carpets the mas
sive pillars supporting the light and airy dome all CO.
Nered alike with dust and cobwebs and in the same
confusion as when the House adjourns sine die 4
heavy chandelier which broke by its own weight from
the chain, is now suspended by a tar rope brought
from the Navy Yard part of the cornices here aud
there are Clipped of black nails drove in the spen-
did pillars, and every thing denotng Extravaganza
and neglect. | halloed to hear the reverbations OF
the voice, when an old black crawled forth from
one OF the pillars, the only living creature had seen
WITHIN the Capito.-He was Kind of watch, or wal
Ter on the door keeper, and marched before me To
act rs usher OF the black rod and shew me the Pre-
sdents room, which richly furnished but ,lisi-
cured by two wash hand stands of stained wood rown-
ING meanly on the spentour around.-I learnt from,
my soie conductor and 10 my utter surprise, that
Keeper IS provdedby Congress for this costly build
| ihs town house, state house, a market, have
each their superintendent and family yet the mag
hhcent national structure of great republic, furnish
ed sumptuousy, and the whole finished at an aegre-
gate cost OF ererdi millions, has only poor old black
man; VINO glides like ghost through the clostcrs Ia
see that nothing is " elonously and burgarousv Ia
| Ken aud carried away" 4 real economical govern
meht careful IN preserving the costly structures o
me nation, would appoint respec table person with
MS iahiy To reside constantly in the Capitol and an
pfopriate "A handsome annual compensation for his
services IN keeping tie building and furniture in good
order.
Who that visits the City Hall in New York and IFS
sumptuous rooms, can i; remarking the neatness
order ana cleanliness which prevails, aud the auen-
ton OF the keeper and family This is indeed econo-
my Ia Washington it is waste and extravaganza
N Y N,H mir