The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-02
THINGS AT WASHINGTON.
From Morrison's Guide.
CAPITOL GROUNDS.

ever, presents inner opportunities l0' '"""
scape gardening. The soil is capable OF
producing the finest forest trees, and al
ready great numbers are planted there
These are ranged in regular order, pre-
yentiug a range Of stiff lines TO the eyee'
and failing in that great object OF park
scenery, the illusion Of distance. Were
the trees so arranged, by placing The dark|
est toiaged trees near, and the II9hter
leaved trees farther off in outrageous WIS.,
tas, 50 as 10 conceal the views OF long rows
OF houses on the Avenue, the eye would
be led along, as in fine landscape, and
the mind deceived into the momenLary be-
lief that it was enjoying some rich and
glorious views through wind made ave-
noe CT forest, breaking open path for
the vision to The blue hills In the distance
A man of true taste and thorough talent
could so transpose The trees and shrubbery,
and arrange the walks, so as to compose
labyrinlhs, apparently many miles in ex-
tent. 1t is feared that nothing OF the hlud
will ever be attempted. Whatever grows
from The earth is beautiful, and Ignorance
cannot rob the flowers Of their hues, or the
trees Of their trembling foliage; bat art
could add charms 10 nature, and give 10
the public grounds at Washington an en-
chantment worthy the country. Immense
sums Of money are expended annually up
on the grounds. aud every year we see
nothing but the same thing over again.
1t does not take five or SIX thousand dol
lars to furnish compost 10 the grounds, or
as much money 10 make the trees and the
flowers grow The same amount of
money expended by gentleman of taste,
upon the public grounds, would improve
them hundred>fold. and give 10 the seat
of Government, a true aud established ben
eft. Nothing could be more beautiful
than for visitors TO ramble beneath the
shady trees, catching here and there q
view Of an aruiciaIjy formed landscape.
The river Potomac, with~its lofty blue
shores, forming the background, and a
gnarled oak crept over by red vines, with
the slvery ash and powdery sycamore be.
tween, to make rich and picturesque
foreground aud middle distance. Now
you see every Thing as 1t ls-there is no
room for the Imagination; and that which
Congress meant, and which the nation in
tended, 10 be of the highest order OF land
scape, is nothing more than stiff Duch
park.
The basin Of water a! the bottom of the
western yard, might be converted into ar
tiEciaI lakes, with pebbIy shores, and swans
floating upon the surface. Trees of fantas
TIC shape might Be plated along their
banks, to throw a checkered shadow on
the still mirror of the clouds.
Nature, in her treest forest garb, might
be located here, and rocks, piled upon
rocks, be taught 10 initiate their kind red
10 the widest mountain passes. Oh
Wthered trunks OF trees scattered about,
with ivy creeping over their decayed
limbs. clumps of trees Interspersed so as TO
complete an end ess variety would contrib
ute to the perfection of the picture, which
all the stuff regularity of popars, cedars
and aspens could never aspire TO rival
But it IS to be feared that the control Of
these grounds will never pass into the
hands of man capable of such elegant
improvements. These observations can
apply as well to the grounds about the
Presidents house. In the whiTl of poll
tics the arts are overlooked, and that which
is ornamental is left TO Iangush under the
false excuse, that the people would not
object, though petty politicians might.
PRESIDENTS HOUSE.
The Presidents House is an object Of
great curiosity 10 visiers. 1t is place OF
resort 10 strangers visiting the Metropolis.
Ga the 18th October, 1892, "A procession
was formed for laying HE corner stone.
This building is situated in the western
part Of the city, and stands on plat Of
ground of twenty acres, torly>(our feet
above the tide waller Of the river. II has
q southern and northern front, the south
era presenting grand view OF the Polo-
mae. On both fron's The grounds are laid
out with TASTE and planted with forest trees
and shrubberv. The walks are OF gravel,
broad and delightful. The mansion is
one hundred and seventy feet front, and
eie hty> six feet deep, and is built OF white
free stone, with Ionic pIasters. There
are two stories.
The northern front is ornamented with
a lofty porlieo of four Ionic columns in
front, and projecting with three columns.
Beneath this portico drive the carriages Of
vlslters.
The northern ertrhnce opens upon a
rIan but spacious hall or veslbuIe, In.
medialeIy opposilethe front door is the re,
ception room. The walls OF this room are
covered with rich and beautiful paper. 49,
The chimney. pieces are of marble, beau
tiIuIIy wrought. The tables are of marble,
aud the Curtains Of rich crimson. The
carpet is circular to suit the room, with
the arms of the Uoited States displayed il
the centre. There are two large mirrors
and splendid cut chandelier in this apart
ment. Ga each side Of this room, and
communicating by large mahogany doors,