Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-03-19
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1853.
Walls from Washtngton.

Our friend Maj. Ben: Perley Poore, OF
Indian Hill, Mass, to whom We are indebt-
ed for valuable editorial assistance. when
he Was recently in Washington, has furnish
ed Gleason's Pictorial with some racy
sketches of matters and things in general
about the Metropolis. We present our
readers with the following pleasing extract,
and shall favor them with more in few
days:
ga building, containing much to interest
the curious in scientific matters is . dingy
"block" Of four tenements, on New Jersey
Avenue. 1t is the headquarters of the
"Coast Survey" where an efficient corps
condense the materials astronomical, TO-
biographical, hydrographic-furnished by
the various parties whose camp fires bright
en- our inlets, and whose bright topped sig
nal poles crown our ocean headland. When
the computations are completed, the mate.
rails Of the plane table and the photograph
&c sheets are worked up in the drawing
department. The engravers then transfer
the charts to copper, with faithful exact
oess and they are carefully proven. The
engraved plates are then electrotyped, that
he originals may be preserved, and from
the electrotype the charts are printed. In
another department Of the building, and
under the supervision of the same talented
superintendent are manufactured the stand
Ard weights, measures, and balances, fur
nished to the States, and the custom house,
Of the Union-a delicate and scientific bust
ness.
columbian College," and the National
Medical College," complete the scientific in.
stitutions of the Metropolis, and each enjoys
fair reputation. The former is fine brick
edihce overlooking the city, aud the lee
ture rooms of the latter are at the City In
Urinary.
The Public Schools are carried on at an
annual expense of $4,000.
And now we will hasten to . long, low,
warehouse looking building, near tho ever
busting Pennsylvania avenue, enter and
walk up stairs. The owner greets us at
the door, and we will introduce him "Col
Force, gentle reader" You are struck
with his fine appearance and noble forehead
nor can You fail to appreciate the hearty
frankness with which he welcomes you to
his library. All, here is library. No
gorgeous foreign collection of eugravings
or costly catalogue cast in type metal, but
books--rare books-useful books, line the
walls, cover tables, and are piled up in
stacks. And every ponderous folio, bulky
4~sA ~ Va AASo6AS pau pAiCS, AhuStT6tcS IN
some way the history of these United
States.
If We have time, ana you are fond of art,
friend reader, We can find pictures by Sir
Peter Lely, at the residence of Professor
Bache-works of Gainsborough, Morlaud
Kellogg, and McLoud, in the parlor of G.
W. Riggs, esq, and Gen. Totten will no
doubt show US his exquisite pictures by
Vanderlyn, Wier and Huntington. But we
must ere concluding this stroll, visit the
gallery of Mr.. Corcoran, at his princely
mansion on Presidents Square
The pride o. Mr.. Corc.ran's collection is
the Nativity by Raphael Mengs, which
once belonged to Lucien Bonaparte, and
brought $40 900. Then there are q mara
time landscape, by the elder Vernet-two
Dusseldorf pictures by Robb, and one by
Achinback-a duplicate By Huntington, of
h;s s.N{ercr's Dream Coles ssDon,r+,.