St. Mary's beacon., 1858-05-20

TO il, which are at .he present time in process
Of construction. The Capitol contains tho halls
or chambers Of the Senate and the House Of
Representatives-the former numbers 81. and
the latter about $50 members. IL also CON.
tains the halt of tho Supreme Court, where
nine judges, rolrd, but not bewigged-and the
only functionarics, except those Of the armv
and navy, who wear al official costume--sit 20
administer justice, and to control and regulate
the whole action Of the government in a man.
ner quite unknJwl 10 the constitution Of Great
Britain. The Capitol is built of pure white
marble, which glcauls ia the sunshine of tkia
beautiful climate IN manner trying 30 the
eyes OF any EngllshEaan accuStomcd to the
murky som6reneSs Vi the public monuments Of
London.
The White House, or Presidents mansion.
Is oi iree-stone. painted white in imitation Of
marble. 1t is plain but elegant building, be.
nttlng the unprrtending dignity Of tue popular
Chiet Magistrate OF country where govern
nient Is minimizcd, and where the trappinas
and parsphernalia Of State and Office arc un.
Known and uncongcnial. Here the President
"A man vino Possesses, during his term of of
hce. \ far greater amount of power and patron.
age than the sovereign of any State i'm Europe,
except the Emperors Of Franco, Russia and
forms, and with no fcrmality or ceremony st
all, the business Of bis great ard growing do.
mnnlon. Here he receives at stated days and
periods. ladies or gentlemen who choose 10 caIl
upon him, either for business or pleasure. or
from mere curiosity. Here he shakes hands
with the courtlv and urbane Ambassador Of
European powers, or with the vcriest "rowdy"
from New York, and "plug-ugly" from Balti.
more, who either have. or fancy they have,
business with him; aud that, too, without the
necessity OF personal introduction. There IN
no man III the United States who has such a
quantity Of hand-shaking to get through as tho
PRESIDENT. Throughout the whole country
everybody shakes hands with everybody else.
though the ladies are far more chary Of the
privilege than the ruder six. IL the gentle.
men would but shake hands less, aud the la
dies would shake hands "A little more, Amer.
ica would be perfectly delightful 70 the man Of
many friends and acquaintances. Perhaps the
President, if not happier, would be a better
satisfied, Chief Magistrate
Washington has no trade or commerce of in
own, and Is deserted for nearly half the year.
1t therefore presents = great number of the
characteristics of a. fashionable waterine-place
than Of capital city. But, ~ the county in
creases in wealth and population, Washington
will increase with il, and will gradually lusa
the provincial appearance which it now pre-
sentS. and assume the completeness 10 which
ITS position as the seat of the legislature and Of
all the departments Of government cntitle it,
| Never Was there place in which office-huntera
and place-sees.ers more assiduously congrecate.
TIE ante-chambers uf the President are dailv
| thron3ed with SO i:It1ntS-witl men who think
they helped to make the President, and who
are consequently Of opinion that the President
should help to make them | thought, when
presented TO Mr. Buchanan, that he seemed
relieved 20 find that was an Englishman, and
had nothing to ask him for--no little place for
self, or cousin, or friend, or son, for which 70
beg his all-powcrful patronage. Gentleman. {"
he said, when the crowd was ushcrcd pcll-mslI
into his presence, without the Intervention ol
any stick igold or silver in waiting. Il mus
take you by the miler'S rule-iirst come first
! served. Have the goodness 10 state your bust
! ness As shortly As possible, As ! have much u
do and but little time TO do it in And 90 the
crowd passed up, each man shaking hands
with the Chief Magistrate, and receiving q DO.
lite, and IN many instances cordial reception.
Whether they received anything else, at that
or at any future time or whether they still
/ nger on, feeding upon hope deferred, which
makes the heart sick, is best known 70 them.
selves, but saw enough to convince me that
It is not an easy thing 10 be a popular Presi.
| dent.