The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-06-08

course the first thing to attract orr atten-
ton IS Che Capitol Building itself. We go
up and through the various halls and pass
into the gallery Of the House of Repre-
senta.ices ut the south end of the build
ing--vicwinc, for the first time in our ex
perience, the lower House of Congress
in session. There is nothing Of interest
going on and we 60 not stay long, but
pass TO the north end of the building to
see the Senate and we are informed that
It is in secret session and so do not gain
admission. We next visit the Govern
mcnt Botanical Gardens, and passing
through the hot houses and conscrva-
tories see most enchanting sight OF
rare plants from all parts of the world,
especially from the tropical countries.
Ferns, Palms, Orange, Lemon, India
Rubber, and other curious Trees, Cen
fury plants, and everything procurable
in the Botanical line, here abound in
profusion. We assembled to the top or
nearly the top of the Dome Of the Capt.
toll and although it is about 420 steps
high we feel we'll repaid for the labor of
getting there, by the splendid view as
far as The eye can reach of the beautiful
scenery around Washingtt II, and II birds
eye view of the city itself. In the even
ing, about O'Clock we took a car up
Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House
Grounds. As it is Saturday evening the
L. S. Marine Band one of the finest in
the world is in attendance. The grounds
are tastefully and deliberately laid out,
and this evening there is II large crowd
promcnading through the walks and over
the grass. About 40 rods south of the
Presidential Mansion Is a tall flag staff
from which waves u handsome banner.
Around the foot of the staff is a stand for
the use of the musicians. About 6 o'clock
the Band takes its position and COM
mcncc their musical exercises by playing
the Star Spanglcd Banner" as only this
Band can play it. This is followed by
other selections from such authors us
Beethoven, Mcndelssohn, Gennod, Often
bach, &c, most perfectly rendered, in
fact the music is so cXquisetcly sweet rs
to be almost painful at times. AS they
play, the thousands who are lis the
grounds promenade, the Silent Man OF
the White House, President Grant, and
his family, appear on the south balcony,
while the singing of innumera1lc birds,
the FLASHING Of water in the various foun-
tains, and the long view down beyond
the unfinished Washington Monument
and out upon the broad Potomac, all con-
Spire to make n scene which will never
be forgotten. During the afternoon we
called on Mis- Crosby, who is well known
in Toledo but she and Miss Harrison
who is now visiting with her had just
started to the Corcoraa Art Gallery.
Sunday morning we attended Metro
politan NJ. T. Church, which is probably
the most fashionable church in the city.
This is very large and beautiful church
though it is hardly as fine as we had cx-
pectcd. There is quite fine chime OF
bells in the spire on which are rung at
short intervals, commencing half an hour
before service, the old and favorite tunes
such as coronation, Arlington, La
ban," etc The large church Is crowded
to its utmost capacity and many eyes are
turned towards the Presidents pew, which
is in the middle slip, and the third back
from the pulpit. Rev. Dr.. Buckley
preached fine sermon on the folly of
the finite trying TO understand or compre-
bend the Infinite.
In the afternoon we take the train for
Baltimore, arriving there about $50. We
take a room at the Renncrt House, one
of the finest hotels in the city and start
out to look around and view the beauties
of the Monumental CITY In the evening
we attend the Mt. Vernon Place Metho-
dist Episcopal Church which is probably
the finest Protestant church in the coun-
try outside of the Episcopal denomina-
ton. This church is located on Mt. Yer
non Place, on the corner directly oprn
.;.a ~, yU~~r-:.-.--- at---~---.~"'' T. -
built of variegatcd sand stone and gran-
lite. is IN immense cdtice and cost with
the ground on which it is located about
$500 100000 DR.. Hatfield, who by the
way, is our favoritc preacher gives an
excellent sermon on the text Nothing
but leaves The organ and choir of
this church are exceedingly fine and are
worth going far to see and hear. Early
Monday morning we go around the city
some, view some of its monuments, beau
tiful fountains, public buildiI gs, &c
We think Baltimore is the finest city we
have seen thus far.
At $50 a. m, VIC get aboard the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
through train to New York. We arrive
in Philadelphia about / o'clock, where
we have to wait awhile to make connec-
tons with some train which is behind
time. Our train is switched off on the
Pennsylvania Central II. r., and we
shortly leave the City of Brothcrly Love
arriving in Gotham about 5 O'Clock, and
Immediately cross over to the City Of
Churches, from which point we will write
again in few days after we have had
an opportunity to look around some
Centennial Correspondence.