The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-10
ron THE MADIsoNiAN.
wATTERsToN's NEW GUIDE TO WASH
INGTON

WAT lEholON No NEW GUIDE IL WAou-
INGTON.
In looking over this volume, just published by Mr.
H. Farnham, was struck with the amount OF inior-
nation It contained Though an old resident, found
many things in il that had escaped me and to which
| was stranger. Many persons come to this city,
and, for the want of such Guide, go away without
seeing but small part of what might have interested
them in 1t. The author has given, think, true
picture OF the Metropolis and described its society,"
institutions, public buildings, establishments, &C.,
with impartialty and truth. He thus speaks of its
society concur with him perfectly in his remarks.
The resident population of Washington has often been
slandered and unjustly condemned for the offences
Of those who visit it.
SOCIETY.
The society Of Washington, though very mixed,
IS good, paraking Of the hues Of many colored life
from the highest refinement of polished France TO the
manly dignity OF untutored nature. Parties, during
the winter months, are numerous and well attended
These are calculated TO bring together many who
might not otherwise have an opportunity of mngling
with each other The amusements at this season are
so diversified and the society good, that none can
feel at loss for the one, be dissatisfied with the
other. The transition is easy from the display OF
parliamentary eloquence in the Halls OF. Congress to
that OF forensic eoquence in the highest Judicial til
bunal OF the country and from these again to the less
instructive, but more amusing exhibitions of colo
quial power in the fashionable oirees reunions OF
the evening.
From the great variety of characters that assem-
BILE in Washington, influenced by different motives,
and from various ranks in life the society must me-
cessariy be mixed. II is made up of various classes:
oice-holders and those in pursuit of office; the man
OF wealth travelling in pursuit of amusement and
change, and the INDECENT aspirant for place /;
the polished European and the well dressed adven-
turer the gentleman and the black leg; all are Of
ten found amalgamated at an evening party. These
transient visers though forming at certain seasons
the society of the Metropolis too often consider
ed constituting and giving character to that socie-
y and the resident population are frequently charged
with offences of which they are entirely guiltless.e
Accustomed to minge with the highest digntaries of
the land and to associate freely with the representa-
tyes of the people, they have learned to place fair
and just estimate human worth, and to regard
mere official rank or station not always comforting
honor or moral responsibility on those who hold it,
1t is with exalted feelings by those to whom
it is familiar, and the virtuous and intelligent citizen
of Washington though deprived of his elective fran
chise, feels disposition to truckle to power, and
moves through life with conscious independence,
and conviction that all true distinction is based on
moral superiority alone.
A fine moral tone pervades the resident population
of this city, which is not often found in that of other
large cities and they much shocked and
dalized at the vices and profgacy which the time
rant population sometimes imports into their city, as
those who condemn them can or pretend to be. Re-
lgon too has elevated her standard among Them and
there but few who do not in reality appearance
bow down and worship at the altar of their Saviour
and their God The sound Of the church going bell
is heard with pleasure and its call obeyed with de-
light by large majority of the inhabitants, male and
female of this city, and there is scarcely Of the
numerous churches that is not well filled whenever
divine service is performed The clergy intelli-
gent pious and ardent in the cause Of their great
Red emer and untiring in their efforts to lead their
flock along the paths of pleasantness and peace
These either the projectors of, connected
with all those associations that have for their basis
the moral welfare and the social and eternal happl
ness of their feow-men. AS body, there is none
in this country more respectable and worthy, though
there may be some more eloquent and it is crafty
ing TO witness the harmony which prevails between
the pastor and his people, In every church in Wash
ington.
The moral and religious tone of which | have
spoken is evinced by the fact that but few heinous
crimes perpetrated in this city, and, considering
the population (near twenty-four thousand souls,
very few lesser offences committed. Since the
origin of the city, but three persons he We been hung
Tor the commission of capital offence, and two Of
these were committed beyond the limits of the city
The people of Washington distinguished for
their hospitality and courtesy. All who visit it, if
they have any claims to responsibility, are invited to
their evening dinner parties and every attention is
paid to distinguished strangers, and others who may
come recommended to them The effect of this hos
pitality often unfortunately injurious to their pecu
mary interests and sometimes leaves them destitute
at the close of life, There are but few men of
wealth in this city who afford to indulge libe-
raj hospitality; but it has become the custom, and
almost all attempt to keep it up, though aware of
the consequences which must finally result from it.
Official station is too eagerly sought after, and is at
last not worth the pursuit Few in Office leave more
than sufficient to bury them; while alive they live up
to their salaries and consequently, when they die,
their families left destitute, and either fall upon
their relations, or seek to maintain themselves by
setting up boarding house, in which they do not
often succeed"
=" The whole population of this city have been
mlsrepresened as to manners, morals, habits and dis
positions. No people more kind hospl-
table, have better feelings than the Washingtonians
The bland Maryander, the lofty Virginian, and in
telligent and shrewd Eastern inhabitant coalesce,
commingle and amalgamae, until the virtues of all
are seen united ''-Knapps Sketches.
The author of this work, from his long residence
in Washington, has had better opportunities of col
lectng and noting down the information he has
and he has therefore prepared work that will be
found both useful and interesting | confess my OBJ
legations to Mr. w for the information have de-
rived from it, and recommend it to all who wish to
know something of the metropolis of their country.
ID.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
THE LADIES' FAIR.
a. sTREET)
THERE'S sweetness IN the breath of morn
TN 10, H. c,iI