Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-21
CITY OF WASHINGTON.

cited. and embitter all the social intercourse OF
man, it is pleasing to the human mind to reflect
on subjects where these passions remain dor
mant and the kinder feelings of our nature are
brought into action. Such subject for con-
Temptation is the rise and progress Of our in
FAINT Metropolis CITY planned by the founder
of our Republic, and bearing his beloved name.
What American citizen does not feel MS bosom
swell with pride in viewing the magnificent Capi-
tol of the Union, and the splendid mansion lor
the dwelling of the Peoples President
A few DAYS ago was invited by one oil the
officers of the Government to take survey OF
the pubc improvements, which have taken place
uIshin the last year. and was truly astonished at
their number, Importance, and usefulness.
The Capitol has received many important re-
pairs and improvements. The copper cover
ING of the dome has been completely repaired,
and the Joints Of the sheets are now so formed
that they will admit Of the expansion and con-
traction of the metal, and always remain water
FIGHT. thus the Grand Rotunda, with its vaua-
BILE paintings, will be preserved for ages from in
iury A number of very ingenious water clo-
sets have been constructed in the second story,
for the use Of the House Of Representatives.
collecting the water from the roof of the bull
ding and conducting it in spout into lead
den cistern, from whence it is conveyed by small
lateral pipes into each water closet, the valves
for admitting and shutting II on being worked
by the opening and closing the doors.
At the entrance into the west front, instead
of the abominable nuisance which was former
lv presented under the arch way, (now occcu-
pied by the delightful fountain( the waste water
of the Eastern Reservoir is conveyed by pipes to
one ofthe ArcadeS were water closets are form
ed for the public, and all disagreeable odour is
removed by the constant flow of this water.
In the original construction of the two Res
ervoirs the most singular mistake occurred
These Reservoirs are constructed OF hewn stone
about Is feet deep The water from the springs,
"a miles distant, flows in through the pipe near
the ton. and when full the surplus flows out near
the surface Of the ground; but there was no
opening or valve provided at the bottom Tor let
ting off the water and cleaning the Reservoir OF
accumulated filth, which was calculated to in
;nre the purity of the water. This evil has been
remedied by placing a valve near the bottom,
worked by a rod extending TO the top OF the Re
servoir, with grating to protect II IN 'front.' ana
prevent the pipe being choaked. Another valve
is placed at the other end OF the pipe, near the
Capitol; so that the Reservoirs can now be emp
tied and cleansed at pleasure, without any dlffl
Guilty.
A beautiful marble fountain is constructed
under the archway at the entrance, on the West
front Of the Capitol, which emits, in constant
stream of pure spring water, ABOUT 3O gallons
per minute. However, cannot here omit men
tioning, that think the fountain would be much
much better placed on the pedestal where the
moved 10 its original position in the Navy Yard,
where il properly belongs. AS the springs from
whence this water flows yield about so gallons
per minute, and are 80 feet above the base OF
the Capitol, it is to be hoped that other Reser-
yoirs will be formed in the centre or Eastern
extremity of the square, so that the grounds
and shrubbery may be watered by hose
From these Reservoirs the water might be con-
yeyed in pipes, and forced up in beautiful jets
d'eau in the Botanic Garden.
MANY important improvements have taken
place at the Presidents House and the surround
ing grounds. Until within the last year the CO.
lonnades, forming the East and West Terra
ccs,were in a most dilapidated and disgusting
conditions; there were no proper stabling; no
suitable supply Of water; mean, narrow, con.
tracted entrance at the north front, unworthy OF
so fine an edifice, without proper foot or car
rage ways. Now the chaste and beautiful col.
onnades, forming the East and West wings of
the building have been completely repaired and
painted, and the roofs renewed. "A plentiful
supply of pure spring water has been obtained
from a high source within half mile OF the
Presidents House, and conveyed in the most
ingenious manner TO the kitchen Tor culinary
and other purposes and to other parts OF the
House Warm cold, and shower baths, with
convenient water closets, have been construct
ed-the water for the closets being collected in
a leaden cstern from the roof of the house.
The whole mansion has ,he appearance ofneat-
ness, health, and comfort, and the Eastern room
il certainly the most splendid in the United
States.
AT the east of the Presidents House, about
one hundred yards from the colonnade is erect
ed fine stable, having handsome picturesque
appearance calculated to accommodate about
Ten horses This stable deserves particular no.
tice, as believe its construction to be much su-
perior to any other that have seen. Its plan
exhibits two ranges of stalls facing each other,
with passage between; granary and saddle
room arranged in a convenient manner, so that
the horses can be fed without entering the stalls.
The floor is also ingeniousy protected against
rats; and there are other conveniences, which,
TO be properly appreciated, must be viewed.
A circular footway on the north front has
been well laid with Seneca flag stone brought
down the canal from the banks of the Poto.
mac, and has very fine appearance. The car
riage-way is exceedingly firm and well made,
and covered with beautiful small white gravel.
The entrances have been extended east and
west, and made appropriate for such magnifi-
cent building. On the south the grounds have
been much beauti6ed and several new serpen-
I'D In I'll