Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-13
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON d
correspondence Of the Boston Post

WASHINGTON Sept 5, 1851.
10 not see what the judge-that is "Pa, :"
you know-could have been thinking about
when he determined to make such slow, stu
pid city as this his residence. 1t is positively
worse than We found it at the White SULPHUR
last August. There. to be sure the fare was
horrible the walters insolent, the rooms mean
and neglected. But there was some RIGHT
nice las they say here) young ladies and gen
tlemen, and there was always something to
laugh at. But here, bless your soul, there is
NOBODY In town but sleepy red-tapsts and re-
tired naval officers. And no amusements
Think OF 1t; no theatre, no opera no Ieyees
oven, and no concerts. Last week the usual
open sir music at the Presidents ground was
stopped That mnst have been quite a relief
to the monotony of Washington life A graf
ultous promenade concert twice week rroups
OF solemn young gentlemen with tawny nous
taches and ladies in their most . gorgeous ar
ray" )" th1hk they wear fuller skirts and
dresses lower on the shoulder here than we do
In our dear old city of prOprieties; children
playing by the playing fountains green trees
and iron seats; and the sempiternaI Anvil
Chorus from II Trovatore, with its sweet clar
ionet solo. All . cruel Mr.. Toucey how couId
you go and bid the Marine Band not to do so
any more, Just the very week cane to town ?
Well have gone the usual wearisome round.
to see the sights. Yesterday, I was at the
Capitol. How l should like to be q member of
Congress and sit In "a big velvet chair under a
roof all gilt and paint and gingerbread carving,
such u heap Of gimcrackery and nicknack-
cry L never saw m building. Tho Judge
Know, was exceedingly charmed, for when
asked hlIn II he was not he gaIcd at big gold
en pine apple on the ceiling and said .fmere-
trlclous lie has an eye TO tho merits in
architecture. .. ....r - - -
The capitol now looks like large lady with
her haIr ca paptilote, just about bed time. You
Know they arc going TO rear stupendous dome
and 80 have taken down the old cne Standing
yesterday upon the roof, to which you ascend
ny winding staircase, looking down upon the
tops of the high trees so far below, with the long
lever surbcams flowing through the changing
I'iiage- was lost and giddy to think that we
were only at the base OF the future dome. I
measured With my parasol upon the plan, and
found that the goddess Of liberty, which is TO be
at the summit, you know, will stand three times
rs lar from the earth [ was standing then And
l seemed to be quite in the kingdom of the
Kites aud crows. And when / turned to 20
down L found my slipper was stuck to the floor
by some nasty tar, SO that had a pretty good
show, as Harry Juniper expressed it, :" for
standing there like goddess (here hushed)
myself am not standing there still, how
ever. 'r
am not going to tire you with nv impres-
sions in detail of all the architectural lions of
thls city. L must, Of COURSE, have q favorite
among them. hardly know whether to select
the Patent Office or the Smithsonian Institute
The first is the ponderous and severe Grecisn
style, and Is very imposing in its pallid gram
dcur by moonlight; the other is Of cheerful
brown stone. perfectly regular in it, ground
plan, and thence running up into all the pretti-
ness and caprices of a composite architecture.
just as Hal exuberant fancies spring up from
the broad base of his common sense And so.
since 1t reminds me of my friend-he is only my
friend and my cousin, I assure you-I think L
choose the Smithsonian
am weary longing for g the season. and the
gayeties OF the session. Let me tell YOU dear
Post, that am very continent in contenting
myself with = the gayeties. If, n lady is en-.
gaging, handsome, and disposed to make her
influence felt, there is good deal of solemn
and important intriguing in affairs Of state'
that she can employ herself about
will tell you a bit Of gossip point think
won't, however, it might offend some one