Litchfield enquirer., 1865-06-29
OUR WASHINGTON coRREspONpENoE,
WAsHINGToN, D. C..
 .Jny,a 01 t1Q6S

June 24, 1865.
 Toa Northerner. unacquainted with South ern cities and their pecularities, Georgetown i. place of much interest. It can hardly be call ed suburb of Washington. for the principle of lite in each is so diverse, that though sepa rated mercy 'by deep ravine, the traveller, iu passing it. immediately perceives that he has reached a new society of unique character The general capital is nothing except as such The student of urbane idocracy finds nothing but series of sheds for the temporary accom- modation of the men who run the ingenious and delicate. yet pnRerfnl machine of govern- ment, with a few novels for haugers,on. In. sects in all variety swarm about the sweet lu. bricating oil of ihe wheels, and so live, and this is all. Before the war, doubtless there were many families of a high social station who lived in Washington rather than in the capital and gavesto it all air of refinement for which now we look in vain. The war. like galvanic battery, has given it a convulsive activity which will fade away with it's cause, and give place to the old stagnation. Georgetown on the other hand, was commercial town long ago, while its sister gave it's energies to the reception oi our legislators and executive officers. Thirty years ago, as the centre of the great flowing in terest of this section, it fourished and grew rich. Its docks bristled with shipping, and the revenue from imports was considerable. It's wealthy men built their residences on beautiful sites on the magnificent heights of the city whence Maryland, and Virginia, and the Potomac for twenty miles contributed to the scenery. Thus part of the city was closa-built with warehouses and counting rooms. and part spread in charming garden and villa over the landscape garden of natures own design Then like that fabled city, stone burned in a breath. this city stifened into inactivity as i'm provements in inland communication diverted trade from its doors. The result is land mark of a former generation, a city of the old school with nothing to promote progress. and only tradition to prevent decay. Old fashioned seem to place their impress upon the people. An endless diversity of architecture. each house unlike it's neighbor, quaint gable wood window caps, irregular porches, fix the attention of the stroller. Passing up any one of the streets running north.westerly from the docks, he finds himself gradually on highe, grounds, and among habitations separated b, wider garden plots. shaded by thicker trees and of more and more rich and substantial character. In each lie wishes he might him. self live, captivated by the quiet charm of the surroundings and the elegance of the broad views. Farther north the hills rise, still high CT, and white points here and there mark the more distant villas, and contrast with the green of the woodland. -,i. .-.r. a as.-..4
 The most common approach to Georgetown is of course from Washington by Pennsylvania Avenue. which, stretching east and west, affords to stroller on it's walks. an ever enlarging --;-t-- ~r~..;na In tha -we<t and including Georgetown. Thus seen, it's peculiar aspect and irregular beauty never fails to strike me. If you select for your walk the late afternoon when the sun is almost setting you will mol have reached the deep gorge before you, which makes the heights of the city seem greater than they are, before the steep land slope on the left with it's canal at the foot. scantly fur nished with appropriate craft, and bordered by few houses irregularly distributed, affords g sight of the river close bugglng the verge of the city, while on the right, an abruptly rising hil l, covered thick and surrounded with white houses and rnantling verdure seduces the eye. Superior to all is the illusion supplied by the hour. Directly in front, in the centre ol the entire picture, the sun just touching the antique towers and fantastic roofs, at once with food- ing light illumes and obscurss, and the whole like fairy city floating in mid air, delights the fancy. and recalls vividly the airy paradise de picted in Coles Voyage of Life. It is true, the charm disappears on entering, but while it lasts, recall nothing more brilliant or suggest i've to the imagination. It occasions no regret that Georgetown is not likely to rise from it's inactivity, for that is the condition of the per petnity of it's present unique characteristics