Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-01-10
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. Dec. Both. 1867

Z season.
Christmas-tAc favorite holiday of white
aud colored people was observed with the
customary festivities. Many of the church,
es were handsomely decorated. and appro-
PIRATE discoarses delivered morning and
evening.
Private residences of many citizens were
scenes of general enjoyment. hearty greet
ings, feasting and the gathering of init
mate friends, to receive or dispense the
fruits of the Christmas tree. The dstribu-
tiou of gifts must have been very bounti-
full. Judging from the crowds ofpcrsons on
Pennsylvania Avenue Monday and Tues
day preceding Christmas, visiting the jew
clry stores, the book stores. fancy goods
/ shops. toy shops, eonfectioners, picture
dealers, and indeed all places of trade
where pretty things are found. But Christ
mas does not end with the close ofthe day.
The darkies celebrate ii until New Years.
and with the members of Congress it lasts
until the sixth Of January, Us you are
aware.
The most of our Maine delegation re-
turned 10 their homes during the recess,
save our Representative Pike, who having
his family with him, escapes the journey
North. Willie the Mureury ranges among
the small figures
| \ tong distance lends cuohautment to the
view of Maine winter. as it set in this
year, aud in contyast with Our spring like
+ days and warm sun, it is most agreeable.
+ Although there Was fail of snow here
+ some two weeks since, making sleighiug
for a day or two, yet old SOL pronounced
+ lis verdict against the intruder, and not
vestise appears now.
1t is 30 often said Washington is an un-
comfortable place in winter. that beg to
call it mild Place in opposition to tina;
generally accepted opinion.
Certainly the climate is not objectiona-
bic. and Row that the streets are SO much
improved by paving aud drainage. and all
parts of the city easy of access by The IN
/ Production of the horse railroad one is
obIige to relinqaiSh depths of mud, and
admit that the clean Washington OF to-day,
is not the filthy Washington of seven years
since. Til, i true in many senses. 1t ha>
been eleau,ed of some foul mpurtic,
deeper and darker than street 9th.
The prosperity oftAe city is greater, too,
than it has credit for.
By late returns Of the census taken for
the educational interest. a gain ia the pop
tulation of Washington is shown OF forty
six thousand in less than seven years.
The prosperity OF the city is evident also
from the increased prices of land. and
erection az many desirable buildings for
business purposes and private dwellings
There is a great demand for houses, and
from the signs of the times, capitalists
making investments in this property, must
"a. 10 large Income. One Of the finest
blocks OF houses in process OF bu.ld;ng i
seen at the corner OF 10Th and | streets
owned by ). l.. Brown Esq.
1t must be pardoDed to my pride of for
mcr citizen <and natiye) OF Hancock Coun-
ty ii make some personal references 10
this gentleman now identified with several
enterprises in this city, promising benefit
to the public, as well rs hims elf.
With few others, he assisted in start
ing the safe Deposit Bank, of which the
company made him President. This Bank
proves great convenience TO resident cit
liens. aud is highly estimated.
A Commission Merchant. he turns his
IcGpital aud executive ability TO excellent
use, transacting large business in luln-
Der, coal, &c.
The suburban residence of Mr.. Brown,
ten miles from the city. is one Of the finest
in the vicinity of Washington. All the
charms of New England with Mary
land home are here united, tie modern
improvements OF the former-the fruits and
the flowers of the latter, with all the en-
bellishments OF an elegant country seat.
Within doors, the visitor is treated with
mos, unsparing hospitality, as dispensed by
Mr. Brown and his excellent lady, who
: thoroughly understand giving cordial
welcome, and making their guests feel
like remaining for an indefinite period as
one of our Senators remarked on leaving
there few evenings since.
But said in the outset the gossip OF
Washington should make up my letter.
and have failed TO think of much worth
transcribing.
Robert +. lincoln, son of the Elk Presi-
dent, ia the guest of Secretary Welles ut
present.
) The removal of Generals Pope and Ord.
is the latest decree from the Autocrat Of
the White House.
The friendship of the Radicals is not on
the increase for the last named parsonage.
General Grant moves on in the even ten
or of his -reticent-ummoyed by the
tide bearing down for an early announce
ment of his principles and platform.
When the right time comes he will satisfy
the impatient.
The assembling of Congress next week
will inaugurale the holding of the usual
receptions, and life in Washington will be
fairly commenced.
Wishing you Happy host of new sub
scribers for the incoming year, remain,
Very Truly Yours,