The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-27
Local Matters.


An HouRs RAMBLE.-Thc great public squur,
south of the Presidents Mansion is undergoing til.
process Of being levcled and enclosed, and will
ere long constitute another graceful feature in gu,
city. But few years will pass before the way
from the Capitol to the Presidents House and De
partments will be through the beautiful public
pronenades of the mall, and over superb bridg,
near the square of which here speak. The
Smithsonian Institution will lie in this deli btfu
route, and Maryland avenue will form its southern
line, II will probably interfere with the bu
siness of the moro direct line OF Pennsy lvana ave
nue., which forms hypothenuse of every righ
angle you can form through any business part o.
the city
At the west end Of this square, on line with
18th street, and Immediately south of the War De-
pariment, the workmen about TO oblitcrate one
of the most delightful gullies into which horse
and buggy tumbled. The descent is, per-
haps, fifteen feet and the situation so near the
crosswny that couple of KS and pole extending
from one to the other ought to be placed there.
Along down 18th street t. the canal, fine trench
has been dug, and the earth has been thrown on
the inside, and therefore patent right of Gen.
Pillow has been infringcd
From this part of the canal to Captain Easby's
shipyard, near Georgetown, the footpath is very
pretty walk. and pleasantly shaded. The view of
the river is exceedingly pleasant. The water ex-
pands till it looks like little bay; and the soft deep
green of the surrounding shore, the view of the
new monument, of the long bridge. and the many
objects in the field Of vision, all grateful the
eye.
On the right bank Of the canal, the limekilns
all that tell Of present enterprise and industry
a. ;oI
aud better lime than we could obtain a few years
ago. The stone is brought in boats from the line
OF the canal, and the fuel from the river below; and
here theoncis reduced to imc and the other to ashes
Near these kilps stands of the enter prise
of bygone days the Glass house. Not many years
ago, this establishment in active, and, we
thought successful operation. Now the walls are
dropping away, the roofs are falling in, and no
gassw is made in our District. Yet believe
the materials requisite are more abundant now
than ever. Why is it 30?
At the left of this footpath where the first oppor-
tuniy occurs to to the opposite side, is the
shipyard Of the Messrs. Easily. Here intelligence,
skill, enterprise, and industry, united with the
qualities Of the gentleman in the conductors Of
a highly useful branch Of business. The Messrs.
Easily accomplishing much good for this
tion and indeed for our whole city, in the prosecu-
ton Of their laborious occupation. We hope the
highest success may attend their efforts.
From the bridge here the ascent is rugged to the
walls Of the National Observatory; but at the sum-
init is ample compensation for the labor expended.
This institution stands upon Scamp Hill," the
scene Of a British oncampment in 1914, subsequent
to the Bladensburg At that time, and for
many years after, the fragments Of decaying tomb
stones told that in more primitive days this had
II
friend informs US that upon one of these fragments
of stone he had been enabled to trace the name of
Pollock and that upon inquiry he had learned that
a Mr.. Pollock had been one Of the most considerable
men within u scope Of several miles round. Alas!
that his tombstone should be unknown in
the land of his fame and greatness. Surely, the
scenes that being swept fast from view
should be described by the graphic pen of some
aged citizen, whose knowledge OF the past would
enable him TO relate the history Of the various local
ities ofintcrcst.
The Observatory is prominent object, and graf
ifies the behoder from distance; but the gratifca
ton il still more elevated when you ascend TO the
beautiful terraces within its walls. These are laid
off and constructed ia admirable taste We like the
method observed better than that expressed in any
other Of the public grounds of Washington, and in
no small degree because there is less method. The
path that winds lite way around the hill runs where
il plcases. There arc no garden plots assuming
tho shapes of stars, quadrupeds, birds, nor half
moons. The trees are too young TO give much
shade, but they will grow tall, and expand. and
leave all in good time and will leave them for
the present. The picturesque bowers lack but
the densc and clambcring foliage 10 render them
the prettiest scencs for the occultations and
functions of Venus and Minerva, that have been
provided in all our domains. AS we stood amid all
these embryo beauties wondered that they could
be fashioned by AN astronomer TO whom we might
address the words of Glenalven:
''On earth thou seem'st 10 stand,
Thy thoughts ascend 70 hcaven!
From the top of the Observatory the District Of
Columbia may be viewed in its most pleasing
and beautiful aspect Here a graphic pen or pen
Gil could gather the msterisl for the most ample
and interesting description. Georgetown from
this point presents graceful picture to the eye,
and seems she is-thc abode Of quietness, conve-
niencc, and comfort; and shows what she ought TO
be-the scene Of active industry, wealth, and pros
pcrity. The day will come. and that before long,
in which she will develop her ability to be more
than all this. How strange that with prolific u
country around her, she should be so circunscribed
in her commerce that with such vast manufsctur.
ing resources her, she should be almost n
stranger To the sound OF the loom, the forge. and
the anvil-thst with such delightful and heslthful
sites for agreeable homcstcads, the mason and the
carpenter should be without occupation, aud the
grass should be green in her streets. But for her
we feel sure there is better day coming, and we
trust that even the coming autumn will begin to
develop the folflment of this hope
PoaT or WAsHIsGTos.--Smile not, dear reader
You may not know that Washington is port, be
cause you do not read il in the newspapers; but W,