The Portland daily press., 1862-08-18
From our Regular Correspondent.
Letter from Washington.

Hot Wedther-0fice Seekers-The City
Horse Rditrodds-Hospitdls- Send
tors and Representdtires-Wd Meeting.
WASHINGTON d. c., Aug. sth 1852.
Life in Washington is great "nstitution.n y
The heat here at this season of the year is
most intense, and no one calculates on the
sweat ceasing to pour until nine or ten o'clock
at night, at which time are to be seen men.
women and children upon the sidewalks or on
the steps of their houses. The only difference
between the nights and the days, is the change
from the lingering rays of the sun to the inces-
SAINT buzz and bite of the musquito. One hour
the sun pours upon us his heat and the next
the rain falls in torrents, but, unlike our North
ern showers, the air is but very little changed
by them. The only consolation we get Is that
this is said to be the hottest month of the sea-
son.
Congress having adjourned, and large
number OF the citizens having gone to the
mountain, springs, and seaside retreats of the
North, the city is considered very dull.
Upon the books of the hotels may be seen
registered the names of quite number of pa
triots, who seem anxious to serve their conn
try by assessing and collecting the taxes. who
are spending their money and travelling to
and fro on the avenues most drearily.
Washington is becoming rapidly yankee
city. The houses, streets, and the improve
ments generally assuming more and more an
air of Northern taste and neatness. But the
institution here, is the Horse Railroad cars.
which are now passing up and down the ave-
nue.. The cars commenced running about a
week ago, for the first time and there seems
to be a general rejoicing that the dreary. noisy
omnibus has been driven among the things
that We're. Their introduction into the city
has really created quite a sensation. They will
soon run over to Georgetown Heights
There are some twenty-five or thirty hospi-
tails in and around this city, containing our
sick and wounded fellow-countrymen. Sever
al of them l have visited. The ample and
commodious arrangements for the comfort of
the soldiers, the cleanly and well ventilated
apartments, the marked care and attention
shown to them, causes a feeling of rejoicing
that our Government is looking with so much
solicitude after the well being of such as have
become disabled. 1t is not unfrequently that
our noble-hearted President and his good lady
are seen vending their way through the sew
erai wards in the hospitals, cheering the hearts
OF the soldiers by their encouraging words and
smiling countenances.
venture the assertion that no better atten-
tion or care could be exercised towards these
men at their several homes, than they are re-
ceiving here. There are in all the hospitals
between 1000 and 5000 patients.
1t Is truly gratifying to us from Maine, to
hear, from all sources, the high encomums be-
slowed upon our Senators and Representative.
No State is claimed as being more ably repre-
sented. Not only is Hon. VIM. Pitt Fessenden
looked upon in Maine as one of the very ablest
men in the country, but you can find no ex-
pressions TO the contrary from any source. He
Is considered the man Of the Senate and of the
country. Hon. Lot M. Morrill, stands desery-
ediy high in the Senate, as a ready, able de-
batter, and man of sound practical Judgment
and business capacity. Among our Represen-
tatives no one stands higher here. in the esti-
nation OF the people, than Hon. John n. Good
WIN. 1t is said here, that no man looked more
assiduously after the interests of his District.
and after the general legislation of the coun-
try, than did Mr.. Goodwin" have really
felt proud OF the representation of the First
Congressional District, While l say this. l
do not wish to be understood as institutinc any
insidious comparisons between him and other
Representatives of the Pine Tree State.
Yesterday was great day In Washington.
The great war meeting, an account of which
has already reached you, may be set down as
the great event Of the season--a glad day. in
deed, for the loyal citizens of Washington.
One hour before the meeting was to COM
mence, the bells of all the churches, not used
as hospitals, and the engine houses, commenced
to ring, soon after which crowdsIof both sexes