Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-11-28
The Washington Monument.

The four orner-stones of the one hundred and two
feet height of marble course of this structure have
been set in their places. The important level has thus
been attained that makes the termini of the Pantheon
in its height where the communication from the grand
staircase within the shaft will be made with the vast
terrace surrounding the Pantheon The ascent of the
present hegh: of the monument well repays the ia
gue in reaching it, from the spendor of the scene
rounding this spot made up of land and water, of CT
ty town, and county There follows the current of
the noble Potomac, the pride of both Maryland and
Virginia. In the distance, the left, the Anacostia
river disemhogues lis waters, and miles below Alex
andra glitters in the sunlight and looming in the dis
lance, directly SOUTH rises Fort Washington. Turn
ing TO the north, and east and west the magnifcence
of the city of the metropolis opens TO view. Its capt.
ol, standing alone in lis glory, with IFS towering dome
refectng first and last the rising and setting rays Of
the glorious uminary of day. There stands the Pres
dental mansion, with its executive buildings surround
ing it, Yonder are seen the other public Structures
the General Post Office, Patent Office, City Hall, and,
conspicuous, the marble building of the Messrs Brown,
the extensive hotel of the National, the Smithsonian
Institution, and the spires OF ST. Mathews, ST Johns,
and Trinity Churches. Yonder, seated eminence,
is the National Observatory, which announces by the
falling of golden ball every day at the hour of
twelve and beyond it Georgetown rising into an am
phheare; while at its feet roll the waters Of the Po-
tomac. Casting the eye down to the base of the
umeHt the Tber is vending its way 10 the Poto-
mac after having aved the base of the Capitol hill
|
lis waters, laden with the rich minerals of the
The ascent to the top of the monument is by a
series of ladders, though sometimes waits upon
the ladies, TO carry them by steam to the summit.
This luxury will. however, be general at the next
working season, permanent fixture Will be made
with the steamshaf to elevate the car. The ascent
then will not consume more than minute Of time.
/ The space within the monument for the ascent OF
the future grand stairs twenty five feet square The
series of steps will land at every turn on terrace
no he mir
in the sides of the walls, many of which have already
taken their places; those stones presented by the
States occupying the most conspicuous points those
from the various societies, companies and sometimes
individuals, occupying places adjacent in the order
the States. The numerous stones received, many OF
them beautiful and the many yet TO be built into the
walls (now deposited in building west of the monu
ment,) proves the interest felt everywhere TO contri
butte TO the erection of this vast structure. All of the
States and Territories have responded 10 the invitation
given
Many of the States have had their own escutcheont
scuptured the stones sent, with some special in
scripton. The enrjehments are, many of them, beau
tifp, and show the progress OF the ne arts IN them
! These stones exhibit at the time the richness
the material found in their midst The contributions
of societies are many of them superb, both in rnaera
and work, and evince much taste in design.
INSANITY IN CALIFoRNIA-Insanity is said to be
prevailing disease in California, and the San francisco
Courier is pressing upon the attention of the author
ties of that State the duty OF providing public asy
lum for the insane.
Commenting on this fact, and the causes of it, tn
t New Orleans Picayune says
"lt is, indeed, melancholy but instructive refec
ton, that so many of the golden dreams which hav
heated the public mind and drawn off hrongs of hope
full and aspiring spirits to fountain of nexhaustbl
wealth, should have proved 10 be only lures to the de
] struction of body mind.
1t is illustration upon grand scale, and unde
circumstances of unusual development of the sam
moral law which rules in all the pursuits OF life, tina
excessive and regulaed desires are injurious TO tn
+ powers of the intellect as well the quiet of tn
heart and that he who strives to be suddenly rich
t reach emnence OF any kind BY unusual means, with
out patient toll and steady preparation, rarely achieve
= any thing but disappointment and misery, the wree
of his faculties and the destruction 81 his peace.