The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-10
WAsHlNaroN Cry, May 4th 1850.


Dear Gazette:-Be content with few
brief sketches from the wsy-side. When
we have set down quietly at home, we
will allude in an appropriate way. TO the
chiOt points of interest connected with our
transit over the Alleghenies.
The two first days after leaving home.
we're cloudy with constant rain, and fog
in the mountains. SO as partially to OBJ
seure the sublimity Of the emery: but
the weather has improved, and we are
now enjoying delightful May morning
at the capitol.
We stopped at Harper's Ferry l6 hours;
and shall bring with Us when VIZ return.
one of the veritabe spikes, brought there
~ John Brown, to be used In lberaing
tn slaves; and also speu SharpeS rife
bullet, picked up on the p a'to'm, after thr
battla. The curious can seq them at the
Gazette Office after our return, Tn were
generously presented to US hy Mr. BAR
BouR, Master Of Armory at Hsrpers Fer
'ry. A more detailed account of our re-.
'ception. and what WI learned at that i'm
portant point, will appear hearsflcr; for
the present we have to say, that at no
place since leaving home. have We enjoy.
ed ourselves 30 we'll, though it rain d in
cessanIly. We commend those who pass
over this road. and can take the lime, to
stop there and SET the Government Armo
ry, and converse with The citzrns.
b.. Congress is NOT in regular session, and
in some respects the city is considered
rather quiet. Three subjects however
are just at this lime occupying the pub
lie attention. First, the discussion of tn,
Democratic Convention at Charleston, ant
its adjournment to Baltimore. The ap
proach Of the Japan exp diion, whc
are TO become the guests Of the Govern
msnt. GO rooms have been engaged fol
them at the Willard Honse. They will
be received in manner honorable to thi
republic, with military display, 60
Special vessels have been chartered to re
ocive them at Norfolk. and bring them Il
the Capitol. The third even. 10 prospec
alluded to. is the approach over the Bal
timore 4 Ohio Railroad of four hundred
editors from the West, which leave
Wheeling on this (Friday) morning, in
special trains.
Washington exceeds our prsconceived
opinions. both in its extent aud beauty
There are many points Of interest Thus
FAR wo have only looked into the Capito
and paid moro prolrac,ed visit to tn
smithsonian Institute. This is an insti
tuition 10 which days might be spent botl
for pleasure and instruction. 1t contains
perhaps the finest and most extensiv,
museum in the world. Its collection en-
braces the widest range of specimens il
the animal kingdom. from that poin
where all traces Of animal life are lost, VI
10 man.
The collections Of specimens Of art
from foreign coun nries are large. and pos
sess the highest interest. These rmbrac
collections from tho Fegee Islands, tn
Sandwich. and from China. This insli
tuition has to be ssen to be appreciated. =
1t is the property of the Government, an
10 accessible ut all times to visitors. Tn
grounds belonging to it are constitutes
into a delightful Park with foot and car
riage ways. and embrace about on
hundred acres, The Washington NJ M,nu
ment ls gradually rear ng ITS summit to
wards the sky, AMI is about three hundrc
yards from the Destitute. 1t has not ye
reached on fourth Of ilsproj cted heigh
the original plan being six hundred feet