The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-07
Our washington Correspondence.


WASHINGTON, Oct. l, 1851.
Washington and its improvements. Govann.ental
and Endipid,mi--"7he Arenne''-Puisiam Boule-
rayds-Regent Strat, in Londas., and Byoad,cay,
Chestnut, and Baltimore Streas-H otes-Narat
Pla,e-Pu6lic Squayes-Adanls e. Co.'s Express
Patent OGce-Capto Ertemsion-Ihe Smith
seniam Institution aud Prot. He'uy-Eqwestrmm
Statue Of Jackson Washington MosHsenu Let
the States Subscribe, &c.
The capital city Of the nation has undergone
vast and beautiful improvements. The contrast of
things as We saw them yeas ago, and as We see
them to-day, strikes our eye bold and pleasing
Individual enterprise has done much in the erection
OF various business establishments, and of very
large number Of handsome dwellings, (and there
are houseless people who would fill many more as
soon as buit) Corporation has done its share
in giving an imposing finish to the City Hall, in
bridging the canal with airy and elegant iron struc
tures and in the opening and paving Of new streets
and avenues-while the general government is
showing unusual energy in the completion of its
public buildings and squares.
Penpsylvapia Avenue-the avenue, par excel
lence, the great business, diplomatic, aud political
street of Washington-is one Of tho handsomest
promenades in the world In its broad, shaded pave,
and capacous carriage way, it resembles the Bou
levaIds OF Paris Of a different style altogether is
Regent street, in London. II has no trees and the
impenetI ableness of smoke and fog to the suns
rays, make them unnecessary; but its magnificent
paace-like houses, all cream colored and gorgeous
shops, are where equalled Broadway in New York,
Chestnut in the Quaker city, and Baltimore street in
the village Of monuments, are splendid, rich, and
citizens; but the Avenue the nations street, wide
aud long, with the Capitol, high and peerless its
right hand, and the splendid mansion of the Preai-
dent on its left.
The marble edifce now being erected upon the
site Of old Jesse Browns Indian Queen Hotel will be
ornament to the avenue and stopping
place for the legislative and log rolling hordes who
winter upon the banks of the Potomac. The Ma
tOnal Hotel is expanding under the liberal dimes Of
MIR. Proprietor Calvert, ana will enjoy its usual
overflow of fashion, politics, and diplomacy, under
the luxurious dinners of Mr. Superintendent Dexter.
Wizards, at the Court-e end; Irving, az Twelfth
street; United States and Gadsby's, the CAPT
tol, all add to the proportions of the avenue they
are like the notable faces one picks out of long
lire under review.
Other improvements are demanded. The avenue
must be relieved Of that primitive market house,
and its very prominent and central losa ton beauti
fed by substantial and approved building, on the
plan, for instance, Of the Covent Garden Market,
London. Our city fathers have this subject now
under advisement and it will doubtless receive
immediate aldermaAic attention, as it is so init
mately connected with our bsef and Bread chickens
ana cheese, DUCKS and digestion
The several angles on the avenue, formed by the
intersection of certain Streets are now mere open
spaces, rude, and neglected they should be iron
rallied, tree planted, and flower bedded. As they
belong to the general government, we call upon Mr..
Comm issioner Easily to give us another proof of
his energy and good TASTE in the mme date redemp
tion of there now forern and desoae patches Of the
pub lie domain
You will acknowledge that Washington is rising
from its village dulness, when tell you that our
business is sufficient to cause the Adams & Co. Ex
press to stretch Of its Brarean arms to our re-
lief; and to erect upon the avenue the most orna-
mental house in the city. 1t is five story iron
front, ofbeautiful proportions, and for it in
debted to the taste and enterprise OF Colonel 5. NJ
Shoemaker, of the Express We have known the
time when it was impossible to get q New York
facilities and promptness of this company, what can
VIC not procurel Anything or everything. from
anywhere or everywhere. If you have European
wish, send it to Mr. James Ives, of the Transas-
lantc Express, Is CornhiD, London; if il be Cali
fornian or Oregonian, communicate with Mr.. Has
kel at San Francisco; if it be the Atlantic Dor
der, let it be known to Colonel Shoemaker, of Bal
timore, and you will DO grati6ed an 4 satisfied to
the utmost.
The deep excavations and huge stone walls Of
tho foundation for the additions to the capitol,
going on rapidly. The green sward, gravel walks.
grounds. have disappeared before the spade and
pick axe, under the influence OF muscle and money.
The addition is q heavy job. A decade Of years
VIII elapSe between the cornerstone ana stone.
What was the use of building those fountains in
the capitol garden They are seldom or never in
motion. In our fire. luent visits there have
yet seen jet d eau. They are small, cheap, plea
There might be some excuse # they were as magni
Gcent and expensive the water works at the palace
Of Versailles, which We witnessed recently, when it
cost the French government eighty thousand francs
from every part the Union, and strangers from
the old world, are daily visiting our capitol, and
these triHipg jets should be constantly throwing
their sparkling drops in the sunshine.
The Smithsonian Institution differs, like its own
creation, from everything else in style and stone.
Ii is built of snufcolored material from the Poto
mac, and looks like the stone with which was reared
the walls Of the renowned kenilworth Castle. The
Smithsonian is unique. There is nothing like 1t on
tho American continent, and We are glad 1t was
built in this ancient mixed style. 1t has the very
lo,k Of temple Of kno Wedge. Already has it
commenced to diffase its intellectual rays and,
under the able management Of Professor Horny,
backed by sound Board Of Regents with the
venerable Chief Justice fancy as Chancellor, tho
Smithsonian will continue to increase its usci illness
in making positive additions to the sum Of human
knowledge. Its operations are restricted to the
small sum OF forty Thousand dollars a year-it
being Professor Henrys policy to work upon the
interest Of the bequest, and to preserve the prin
cipsl Why do not some n Of our wealthy people
by purchase share Of Immortality Many might
be proud Of the opportunity 70 lay their metallic
offerings upon such shrine. IL they are selfish,
they have the dying consolation that their last in
vesiment would, besides doing public good, buy
them big tombstone, on which would be inscribed
their names for the admiration Of future generations
En- pdssant-did you ever see Professor Henry
His personal appearance is very Hne, aud ysu
would be charmed with his manner. He is one Of
the most entertaining men we have ever met. His
high scientific Attachments classic lore, intense ap
piicaon, unusual business capacity, and absorbing
devotion to the proper fulflment OF Smithsons sub
lime design, make hin eminently qualified for his
position. Rely upon 1t, Professor Henry Is the
the place for Professor Henry. He 10 assisted, We
believe, by DIR. Jewett, Of the library; DIR. Fore
man, Of the neurological department, and Pro-
lessor Beard, the natuialht.
Theimmchfe government reservations, from the
capitol TO the Potomac, Sest, have lost thog prairie
Look AID assumed n shape aud form by rccsnt fenc
Ng. grading, aad tree planting Lafayette square,
he north foot oftno Presidents houe, is under
the improving hands OF MIR. Downing, the noted
horteultursL, and IL being prepared tor the rccep-