Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-14
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

POST OFFICE ExTBNSIoS.-We understand
that n portion Of the marble for the continue
ton OF the Post Office building is engaged from
the quarries known as COnolly's quarries, in
Baltimore county, Md. This is the small crys
tai Baltimore marble, which is quite extern
siyely used in Baltimore for steps and pOrticOs
TO dwelling houses. 1t will probably be de
livered by railroad, and will thus add some
thing TO the revenues Of the Washington
Branch Railroad.
The cellar of this building is now excavated,
and large portion of the concrete founda-
lions for the walls is laid We believe that
this Is the first large building in Washington
IN which concrete foundations have been used
exclusively. In making alterations in the
Capitol extension the new foundations were
laid in the same material. Many Of our citi-
zcns have watched with much curiosity and
interest the process of making and depositing
this kind of masonry.
One of its advantages, besides eheapness, is
itsperfect adaptation to every inequality Of the
s)il with which the plastic material Is rammed
into actual contact. The mortar, which is
made of hydraulic lime or cement and sand,
setting in a few hours, binds the fragments of
stone into a solid mass like pudding stone or
conglomerate so that the whole of the foun-
datiOns of the walls of the building become, as
il were, one single block Of stone of uniform
hardness and tCnacity, and in absolute contact,
at every point, with the soil upon which it
rcsts. This prevents partial settlement in the
walls, and Is security against cracks, which
10 so many of our public ard private build
Jugs bave brOkea and defaced the ashlar
facings. In the old capitol, there is hardly
an unbIoken window head.
We notice about one hundred and fifty ma
sons and laborers at work upon the cellar
walls which are being built of the blue stone
Of the Little Falls quarrieS. Carpenters are
framing some huge sticks Of timber to be used
as derricks in laying the stone Of the walls
The floors of this building viii not be arched,
rs in the older part Of thu post office, but will
be of masonry. resting upon wrought iron
beams, as now almost exclusively used in the
new public buildings Of Paris, the extension
Of the Louvre, &c.
The CONCERT BY THE MARINE BAND, to take
place this evening at the President grounds,
will doubtless, as heretofore, be largely at
tended by ladies and gentlemen, together with
the usual array of Juveniles who, like the
adult listeners, seem to be delighted with the
OutpOuring Of instrumental melody.
On application at the proper source we have
been kindly furnished with the programme of
performances, as follows Hail Columbia :;
Grand Operatic Quickstep; Philadelphia
Waltz; Medley Quickstep-" My home, my
happy home" Grand Waltz, by Kufiner
Medfey Qu1ckstep-'' Widow Macree, Low
backed Car, and . Don't be angry, Mother ;"
Papita Polka; POurtant per Seirjie new
Medley Quickster-'' Mary of Argyle, John
Anderson, my Joe, " and Groves of Barney
Medley Quickstep-'' Kathleen Mayourueen -
and the Atlantic Schotish.
The leader of the band, Professor Scala. we
have noticed on repeated occasions, selects
such pieces as he no doubt cOnceives will be of
general, net merely individual acceptance ::
decide difficult task to please everybody
The fact of the very large number of persons
who repair. respectively, to the public grounds,
on two evenings during the week, affords
abundant evidence of the popularity of those
free concerts and the delight which they never
fail to inspire No one Of good hearing could
fail to be pleased with the instrumental per-
fcrmances; but To a deaf man the band would
present a strange spectacle indeed-mere
dumb show by relocated musicians
No other city in the Union is more If so
much blessed as we arc in respect to lovely
promenades and music on stated days Our
citizens are loud in their praises of the accom-
pltshed and talented musicians, whose per-
fOTmances afford such innocent pleasure during
these dull piping times of peace
WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT.-There are now
about three hundred men employed upon this
great work. and much progress has been made
already. Inc season has been unusually
healthy, and there has been no lack of work.
men. About twenty bricklayeTs in the neigh
bOThOOd of the Great Falls have completed
several hundred feet of the brick conduit
which winds along under the base of a rocky
Cliff, bedded in solid stone, and the arch being
vet uncovered, looks like n gisanti: serpent
The communication Of sound through this tube
Is surprising To those who, for the first time
stand at Its open end; and hear the slightest
noise at the other, several hundred feet distant.
Tunnels Nos l and 2, near the falls, and No
i, some three miles below, have been COM
menced for some time, and are making salts
factory progress. Within the last week the
4 open cut at the upper end Of No. has been
finished, and the excavation of the tunnel it.
self commenced. This tunnel is on the f;sSm
of the MesSrs. Brooke, about four miles above
Georgetown, back of the stone quarries near
the Little Falls, and within the distance of an
evening ride from the city. Such of our citi-
zens as have not seen the operation of tun-
melting will find this place worth n visit Many
persons take advantage of the Sunday excur-
sion trips Of the packet boat Congress to visit
the Great Falls and see this great work. Many
4 oil the culyertS along the line between the Lit
tie Falls and the Great Falls have been begun
The contractors have collected force, and are
gong on with some Of them. Others begun by
the United States engineers have not vet been
backyard, about eleven miles from the CITY.
Is being fitted up with the most approved
Northern brick machines, and the contractors
show a disposition 10 push this piece of their
work vigorously.
CoURT OF CLAIMS.-There have already been
sdmItted 10 practice at the bar of this new tri-
punal forty-two attorneys; they, yesterday,
took the required Obli.ation--a part with up
hited hand and part upon the holy bible,
and sohe few, at thtir request, were affirmed
seventeen Of the number thus admitted have,
opposite to their names. the prefix - of Wash
1hSton- while others, though with the names
oi several States attached 20 theirs, have for
some years been residents of Washington. We
may safely say. that One-half Of the forty two
attorneys have their permanent location in this
metropolis Other gentlemen will, having made
application 10 that effect, be admitted TO prac-
tICc.
Notions In L A. n