The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1875-12-24
BEAUTIFYING THE CAPITOL.
What Eas Been Done at Washington Dur
ing the Recess.
Correspondence New York Graphic.

Correspondence New York Graphic
The Improvements of Capitol Hill ha.
been one of thegreatest works of the peri
cd. To buy the ground and remove two
blocks or eight streets of dwellings, cost
5000, 900; to grade these grounds cost $4Oo,
600. The work was done by the architect
of the capitol, Mr.. Clarke, under the direc.
ton of I. L. Olrnstead & Co. The work
ON the east front is now nearly finished,
and turns what was aridge of turf consid-
erably higher than the base OF the Capitol,
into sort of Oriental esplanade. The
people here call it the production of "Al-
ladin, OF the Wonderful Lamp" Sixteen
Persian lamps, with inverted crystal shades
like the wells of Ispahan, stand on columns
OF figured silver bronze, as parts of a double
sweep of seats and inlaid pavement of
black, red and white, which is divided by
the three carriage ways; brick fountains
shaped in solid style between the roads,
each of the two fountains covered with
vines. Half dozen gorgeous nondescript
SesAAAOlHO1d 61O Ia 4AlC UClOlC tllC
spanning the distance between the curves
of the esplanade. The grounds are made
billowy with wavelets of grass flowing from
the clumps of trees. Two ornamental
portes choc1eres detached from the capitol
are built for the two stree railroads. The
old trees in the lawn toward the lower
town have been thinned out, and, indeed,
all cut down so as to no longer conceal the
edifice. Further designs of the architect
are an extension of the central portion of
the east front, which is now fiat instead of
pedimental. This will give the library
twice the present allotment of room, and
render unnecessary further extension on
that side. Capitol Hill which used to be
abandoned by the crowd, is now favorite
promenade. The only additions l see in
the Capitol are two of Bierstadt's land
scapes-the discovery of the Hudson and
mountain scene-and statues of Chancel-
lor Livingstone and Jefferson. Living
stone, by Palmer, looks like Virgil con-
Quoting Dante into Inferno, They have
covered the House of Representatives
floor with what looks at first sight to be
blue bed-ticking the Senate is newly car
peted with an American Wilton of buff and
gold tints. The new desks i'll the House
seem to be of ash or light unvarnishe2 wal
nut. The messenger system of errand |
telegraphy has been introduced here.
thaYa Stofu IF GauaroI u n Dolrou (
Admiral Farragut, General Nathaniel |
Greene and Generals Thomas and McPher-
son in the hands of sculptors for this city.
Added to the equestrian statues of Scott,
Washington and Jackson, and the street !
group of open-air work; statues are also
due from the States of New Jersey, Maine,
Massachusetts,, New Hampshire and Yer
mont of ten public men to add to the ten |
statues already in the Hall of Representa-
tives. General Eastman, deceased, has |
supplied the government with series OF
fine paintings of American forts and for
tresses to ornament the military committee
rooms The bases of the Patent Office and
Postofice, thrown out of grade by recent
paving, have been completely readjusted.
A new railway to make the circuit of the
city and the island is just being completed,
and depot is already finished for it. The
patent brick machines which turn out
thousands per diem are working here with
great success, and all the brickyards are
busy. The new State Department is occu-
pied, and also the new Jail, which cost half
a million. A new race-track a mile round
and stock-yards have been built in the en-
virons A respectable residence for the
President of the United States or less agi-
tation of the subject of his absence in the.
summers is in order. The prices of rooms
here for the pending session vary with the
situation and surroundings. Seventy-five
dollars for large parlor and bedroom,
with attendance, but without board, is not
dear. A good house costs $1,000 nnfur-
nished