The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-24
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Il, 1853.
As Fashionable Hotels and Saloons Of the Ma
fs0n0I fcn,tot

Very MANY people who come to Washington IN
nluo In remarks not complimentary to its hotels.
q society. its amusements, and even undert' -ke
ometimes to speer at its public buildings and At the
|stinRuished men who come here TO me- Aape the
legislative business of the nation. The. critics, how
yer, who thus malign the fair fan Of the capital
nav be set down as morose, disc ntented individuals,
Who would sneer at Paradi 20 and question the in
egrity and honor Of that famous French chevalier
4 whom 1t was said chat he was sans peur ct sans
Feproche. The ho1els of Washington! What excel
ences can such establishments boast anywhere that
hese Do not possess? The Senators and Representa-
ksss Of the people in Congress assembled! What
lther nation can boast of more honest, honorable,
Enlightened, pure s.aness, patriotic or high-toned
legislative body2 When these questions can be
satisfactorily answered, then indeed there may be
some measure of excuse for the carpings of those
modern imtators of Diogenes.
Now, as to the hotels. We have three that are
untitled to go under the designation of first rate,
md thst enjoy that reputation. Do they not de-
nerve ie Just come and stop a week at each of
hem in rotation, and experience their respective ex-
sellences There is Wizards, at the Western end Of
'the avenue" as that broad street named after the
keystone State is known. Each of the thirteen
original States has an avenue named after it, but
Mat Of Pennsylvania bears the distinctive appela-
Zion of "the avenue" Well, Wizards is at the end
fnrthest from the Capitol, and nearest to the White
House and the executive departments Try its hos
pitalities for week and you will no longer entertain
any doubt as TO the real merit Of the establishment.
The crowd of Jarvies-white, black and yellow
who congregate in front OF the door, and
who exercise the dearly priced liberties of Ameri-
can citizens with such perfect immunity 2ol
- .,.<a "a 0rxHkr
sp the sidewalk and to endanger the eyes
of passersby with the ends of their long whip
handles, is a sufficient indication that Wizards is
iavorite and well patronized concern: why should
10 not be Go and admire its halls, its parors, its
peading rooms and its convenencies OF all sorts.
Look at the large airy lofty and scrupulousy neat
bedrooms which assigned to its bachelor guests;
and those elegant suits of rooms which, for trlie
beyond the ordinary charges, are at the disposal of
married couples and families What could the most
hxuriously inclined and the most fastidions in point
ef ventilation and cleanliness require more! And how
unreasonable and querrulous must be those indiv
luals who indulge in complaints about the size and
Furniture Of these cogy bedchambers, and who ven
ure TO speak of them as mere closets and cells and
blackholes, and such other designations, and who
turn up their noses at the general style of tit-upg
There are people in the world who will be eternaly
tAultfndng; and some Of them, no doubt, come TO
Washington occasionally and may perchance put up
bow and again at Wizards.
Number two of the first class hotels is Browns
nlso on the avenue and midway between the Capitol
and the White House. II stands out in all the purity
sf white marble with an extensive balcony for the
accommodation Of its lady guests, and OF distn-
guished individuals who are nightly serenaded and
who make speeches therefrom to their admiring and
unsteady inclined friends. The hero of Nicaragua,
Me great crusader and apostle of American liberty
DO the benighted heathens Of Central America, was
re latest parsonage TO utilize the balcony in that
eSpect. he was serenaded few nights ago, and
aciously acknowledged the honor from that very
position; and may remark, in passing that IN the
nsotf of
Besusful venice-city OF song.
Hardly On evening passes that one or more OF our re-
markable men are not serenaded by bands whose
Execution would astonish little Ullman or Maretzek
With the startling novelties that they introduce in
he way Of alternating notes. now with the wind In
4ruments, and now with the drum and flies; and
hen, independent Of these more public exhibitions
n honor OF q great statesman or great general the
streets are nightly cnvened with the strains Of dul
et music, in which some gay Troubadour delicately
estimates his love for the lady Of his affections Not
rithstanding what some may regard the demoral.
xing effect OF such close contact with members of
Congress and Of the lobby this taste for serenadng
keepeaks the growth Of civizing and refined senti-
uents in this polished community.
But have been wandering from my text. Let us
eturn. | was speaking of Browns paatial hotel.
)ne Of the hardest things that has been said OF that
Establishment was uttered by certain witty New
FORK Congressman, who, while he was honored with
seat in the halls Of national legislation, some few
ew years ago, insnuated that Brown cal
uiated on the marble front for satisfy
ng 10 some extent the appetites OF his
picsts That was one Of those papable caiumnics
hat are from time 10 time uttered against the very
worthy proprietors Of our hotels. No one can be-
eye that the statement has any foundation. The
strons Of Browns are assuredly not subjected to
my such hard fare. Oh, no! Whatever OF dehcacy
he market Affords Is certain to be found, In some
MEASURE at least, on the well spread board OF that
ouse II the propretors of that or any other hotel
ere have conscientious scruples about encouraging
he vice of guttony, II only proves them 20 be the
more proper men and better Christians; aud they
ught rather TO be praised than censnred or lightly
poken Of for II. Here as at Willsrds the weary
raveller finds pleasant sleeping apartments; and
vhen he Il an hungered he has not 20 wait for his
hance of the onetwelfth moety of the services Of
rater. Tho proportion oil walters TO guests = no,
" any means small as that. And the colored
ervants who attend at table dispense their
ervices grstutousy. II is not absolutely necessary
ere, II is at Saratoga, Newport and other places
hero people go, TO pay an extra quarter for every
neal you take. You can manage TO exist without
You will find every attention paid TO you with
ut Zee or reward that IL at all reconcileabe with
hir play TO all. What more would any reasonable
nan require
The National Is the third Of the first class hotels
ere. II Is larger than either of the Others and il
esirsbly located-t being on the block east Of
Rrown's. IL used TO be the great centre of social
nd political attraction in Washington But II seems
ow 20 have fallen upon evil DAYS. lts more snowy
nd meretrcious rivals have carried OF its fashiopa.
be patronage, and il n deserted even by the politi-
hans and oicehuniers. It, fine, spacious halls that
sed to he the crowded rendezvous OF
pch characters, are now the lonely loung-
hg places Of half dozen poriers, who. with
ver ready twig in hand 10 brush of the hats and
pats Of imaginary guests seem 10 he the ghosts Of
nose who performed the same functions in more
rosperous days, and who might he supposed 20 fire.
nent still the scenes Of their former labors. That
ysterious disease that broke out in the National
vi SPRING and that took it, sppellstion from that of
he hotel stll exercises ~ depressing influence on
be fortunes Of the establishment. With all due re-
,pct for the opinion OF the medical savans who
pnnected the disease with bad sewerage. attribute
10 conspiracy 20 injure the reputation Of tho
Establishment by sckcning people with homeopa-
bic doses Of arsenic. and think, therefore, that u
|as but temporary evil. not local one, and that
danger passed away with the playing out Of the
Ilanous plot. Unfortunately however i such was
e object II has been but too successful,