Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-05-09
LAFAYETTE SQUARE.



As the summer months approach and the time
draws nigh when the hot weather may be ex.
peeted, many Of thos. who fromtorcs q clrcum;;
be compelled 70 remain ' here and endure The
heat are naturally wondering what will be the
condition Of the public parks and whether they
ing, and rksre' benesth The Shais Of the iofty
trees, q perron can make themselves At home
and Be- comfortable. A. the public squares are
irsa1sn.sd by many peIsos'- s,n ana sentleh
children, and strangers DESTROYS Of witnessing
all the beauties Of the capital-it L. but proper
that thess places should be we'll looked after
and receive the closest attention.
Sine the charge Of public buildings and
grounds was intrustsd TO the care Of General
B.eooen he has , been steadily a. worn making iSs
appropriations would admit and the grounds
reflect the ability Of one who has az eye for
Sesn vel o9%i IN. ~, sas aSs, ,hSs
will be discovered BY payinga visit 70 Lafaystte
square. Although not yet finished, the sppro.
priailons having 9ssn ennau., S ~, sanelens
made that one will hardly fecOg nils the fAvorite
.promenadlnR park Of past years.
Feeling confident that proper and complete
the two objects most essential Tor the require.
msnts Of public PARK, General Babcock last
fall instltuted a system Of drainage throughopt
drains were laid across the park from east to
west At forty feet apart These connect With
sewer that runs along the southern side Of the
square, and that omptles lnto the main sewer Mt
tie corner Of Fifteen.and. a-half street and
Pennsylvanla avenue, Two drinking fountains
will be put up, one on the east and the other on
the west side OF the grounds, for the aocOmmO-
dalton Of the public, and wOrkmen are nov en-.
gagged In laying the masonry preparatory 10 the
fountains being placed 10 position. Two new
vases will replace the old ones on the granite
pedestals on the sides Of the square. but Of what
kind has not yet been decided upon. Nothing
adds more to the beauty Of the square than the
new walks
In the larger or main avenues the old coarse
white gravel has bsen taken up aud red put
down In lite stead This IL nner, binds better,
and y constant travel over .s SSeU %s ~I Ss
white gravel still remains on account Of sum
Client ninds being wanted 70 eomplete the work;
and S .[opS eoS,SS 70 IN:
red gravel The edginK-oH 81 the WALKS Il also
reqnisitsj but this must walt until Congress
iitsie additiops s viii Be made In order 70 &C,
cOmmodate a. many as possible ssyenty.four
very neat and substantial seats, similar In pat.
been placed 10 the square each being Sufficient
Ia sire 70 accommodate four persons. Eight new
lamps have been put around the square at IN
sui IivS,.d ana aa thu proving bSPskeSi 70
the performances Of their duties.
o. The north side LEFT, o. the '2Ssrs directly OP
Gothic In design, has been constructed, which
contains a watchman's room 10 the centre, with
2 lady's retiring room on The light and : 'l%l,
rear IL the tool room. The ground 10 front has
been laid out for a lawn, and the grass Is Just
shooting in Thy green spsar r through ss the
beside the walks, runs hedge Of Norway
spruce, while back Of the lodge are other hedges
Of silver fir and hemlock spruce. They are
win make as hns shrabbsry as any person might
wish 10 look upon.