The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-27
PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON CITY.

PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON CITY.
For six months we have been devoted to our ardu-
Gus profession in Washington, and to this moment
stranger to most of its localities and curiosi-
ties. We have reserved for some moment of leisure
the opportunity Of seeing the superb hall of the
Patent Office, the statue Of Washington, the library
ofCongress, the hall of the House of Representa-
tives, and many Of the other curiosities which
merit the attention of visters. We must, therefore,
borrow from the pencil of another Inner the follow
ing rapid sketch of the metropolis:
From the N. Y. Morning News
a. NOTES OF TOURIST.
WAsHMoroN, Oct. %, l845
To The editor Of The Morning .Nstcr
Having spent three days in viewing the curiosi-
ties Of Washington, give you my impressions Of
our seat of government trusting that my account OF
ers, who have never had the opportunity of seeing
this famous place, and judging Of it for themselves.
The city itself, as is generally known, is mag
nifcent failure; comparable only to those "foies''
which exist in various parts of the world-the me-
MORALS Of people who began to build, but were not
able to finish. II is scattering village, occupying
large surface and contrasting ludcrousy with the
printed plans of the city, AS il was to have been
built
but let il be noted that this imperfection is fast
disappearing. The city of magnificent distances
is rapidly filling up with new and some Of them
handsome buildings We understand there have
been more private dwellings, run up this year than
have been known at any former season.--UNIoNl
OF all the great avenues named from the various
States, Pennsylvania avenue is the only one ever
spoken Of and think the only one in a passable
condition. AT one end Of this broad, and now dusty
street, is the capitol with the public grounds; and
at the other the white house, palace of our dem
ocratic President, with the Offices of the several de-
partments around it.
The capitol occupies commanding position, and
is noble structure OF brown stone, which is painted
white, to initiate white MARBLE at an expense which,
in a few years, would more than pay the greater
sum in the first cost of the better material The
common pictures give good idea Of its external
appearance, The grounds around il are we'll laid
out for effect, properly lighted, and carefully at
tended. ,
The paintings in the rotundo, which is lighted by
the immense and lofty dome, collection, rather
exceeded my expectations, SO much have they been
deprecated by the letter-writers. The signing of
the Declaration Of Independence, the surrender of
Burgoyne, and Washington resigning his commits
sion, are al, from the interest Of the events they
portray, the number Of the figures and the correct
Of the portraits, of great historical value and
are worthy Of the place they occupy. The same
ennot be said, in the same degree, however, of the
grims, and the baptism of Pocahontas. The first is
carefully picture, and think is favorite;
which the other is certainly not, nor in any way
worth the money paid for it. Two vacant PANELS
remain; one of which is soon to be filled by Van
derIyn; and for the other Mr.. Inman has long since
received the pay, but no one, TO my knowledge has
seen Or heard Of the picture.
The hall Of Representatives has been completely
cleaned and renovated by Mr. Dow; which, from
the filthy habits of many Of our congressman, was an
Herculean task. The doorkeeper and his assistants
aided by two Of the stoutest negroes the District
firm uh had n -
ing the accumulated dirt of the last session Now,
however, the place is thoroughly clean. A new
American carpet ID laid down; the colors of which
harmonize beautifully with the newly-varnished
mahogany desks. The place looks nicely new; and
it is to be hoped that its appearance may improve
the manners Of the coming Congress.
Two pictures adorn this hall, and are almost its
only ornaments, On the right of the Speakers
chair hangs full-length portrait Of Washington;
and opposite that Of Lafayette, to which Mr. Robert
Dale Owen made such thrilling allusion, when
some native rabid wing tainted him with having
been born foreigner.
At the eastern front of the capitol are the statues
and group of Persco. In the inches on each side
of the door the statues of war and peace coos-
sal figures in marble; and standing forward, upon
the right hand, il the noble group OF Columbus and
the Indian girl, with the character and effect of
which ! was most agreeably disappointed. When
viewed in connection with the edfce it is intended
to grace, and in its colossal proportions, this group
produces most pleasing, and even grand effect.
The form and attitude Of Columbus are noble; and
the Indian girl 6y his side, looking up into his face
with awe, wonder, and admiration, is an embodi-
ment Of beautiful idea in form Of the rarest per-
lection. You may not be willing to take my iudg.
ment in this matter, but cannot help thinking that
such will in time be the universal opinion. The
fastidiousness that would object to the arrangement
ofdraperies in the female figure, is Of very foolish
character
The most beautiful building in Washington, ant
the best, all things considered, that have seem il
the General Post Office. Its material is fine whit
marble, and it combines in the happiest manne
lightness and stabity--the useful and the ornamen
tai. This is the great idea of the structure. Tn
somewhat elaborate and very tasteful ornaments o
its composite architecture are evidently subordinat
to the useful design Of every portion Of the building
and this take IT, Is the highest praise that can b
bestowed upon such structure. II was erecte,
under the supervision of Amos Kendall, once tn
able chief of the department.
~ Entering the building, met the Postmaster Gen
eral in the vestibule, and accompanied him to hi
ofhce-a plainly furnished, elegant room. Neat
ness, quiet and perfect regularity pervade the esab
lishment 1 visited several rooms, and, among tn
curiosities Of the place, the first account-bool
Of the Post Office Departments thin volume O
foelscap, opened and kept by Benjamin Franklin
the hfst Postmaster General, and every item is en-
tered in his neat handwriting. The book the man
ner Of keeping the accounts, and the hand writing
very much resemble the accounts kept by Generu
Washington during the revolution, Of which fac
simile copies have been published. afterward
visited the great room, in which are deposited III
present books ofthe department immense foos
which require strong man to lin them, and whic
might be measured by the cord.
The Department Of State is accommodated in a
old building in which little Of interest, but n
library in state of great confusion for which ne'
rooms are preparing and the private rooms Of n
Secretary Of State, as they were luxuridusly fol
nisbed by Mr.. Wcbst r, who introduced into n
department some bcfore-unheard-of Injuries; sue
as satin and lace-edged and embossed note and lei
ter paper, worth eighty dollars ream, elegant litt
this description. Behind The chair of the chief cler
hung the original letter Of the Emperor Of Chin,
1t is written on yellow, and " a gorgeous docr
ment, and curious sample Of oriental art and mae
nifcence. M bt a siaela4 .Gdl rst5.trt