Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-07-11

we had u fair view Of it. The crops of
wheat and rye were harvested. At
Orange &. II. Rapidan, and Culpepper
stations there are some beautiful lands
and on some parts of them there ap-
peared 10 be, from the number aud
size of The shocks, fiue crops of grain.
About dusk we reached Washington,
aud tired, and some of the party not
very well, concluded to lie over day
and interest ourselves in seeing the
most prominent public places in the
city. | rarely see in the press much
reference to or description of the pub
lie places of Washington it seeming
to be taken for granted that, as it Is
the Capitol of our country, we are all
familiar with it. Though 1 have been
frequently in the city l never had
either the leisure or opportunity to
visit but few of its places of note
We therefore had carriage placed at
our disposal and subject to orders for
such time as we might elect. The
driver was an Irishman of fair intel
ligence, and seemed to be well posted
and communicative. He drove US first
near to the general p0st-office build
ing, atfoIding us goodOpportunity to
take a. view of the whole exterior of
NilG Dullulhk. CuuhOl hllGDl DI
description. and can only say that we
were all impressed with its proper
tions and magnificence. We alighted
in front of the Patent Office building
and entered. The day was warm, and
it was pleasant to enter the shelter of
such building, surrounded with such
waIls-so cool and refreshing was the
air within. This building is now
nearly exclusively confined to matters
german 20 the granting and renewing
of patents. There used to be deposit
ed here objects of curiosity or to which
there was some peculiar interest at
tached, but they have principally been
removed to the Smithsonian Institute.
| noticed, however, some of the things
that were removed from Arlington
bureau and pair of candlestieks, and
saw, also, pair of buck gloves made
for Lincoln by some New York dealer
whose letter is attached, and who pro-
baby took this method to advertise
both himself and his goods, But the
great object of the building is the pre-
sprvation of the models of new inyen-
tions--more particularly of such rs are
patented. They are numerous indeed;
arranged in glass showcases, upright
and extending over the floors of the
second story. The whole is a mOnu-
ment to the fertility of American in
ventive genius.
From the Patent Office we were ta-
ken to the Theatre in which Lincoln
was killed, twas taken possession of
by the Government the night he was
slain, and has been converted and
used by the medical department of the
Government. Here are stored, or
rather placed in position and order,
"casts" Of portions of the bodies of
persons wounded during the war, re-
maIkable for the character of the
wound. For illustration that of d
soldier whose chin was entirely de.
stroyed by ball and still lives. There
are also, particular parts of the body,
bones, &C., preserved in jars. L sup
pose to exhibit the wound that par
ticular part received, One OF the
cervical vertebra of Booth is shown
you and the place where the ball
struck il, that killed him also the
part of the spinal cord struck by the
ball in its course. Some monstrOsities
are to be seen not very pleasant to
look at, nor necessary to dwell upon.
A mummy Il may call it) of an In
dian child, found in hollow tree in
the western country, rugged off in In
dian style, with the addition of some
trappings of civilization, attracted my
attention.
1t will be recollected that Lincoln
was sitting in private box at theatl o
when he was killed by Booth. Booth
then jumped from that box on to the
stage, and thence through the rear
portion into an alley. This alley was
| pointed out to us as we stood in the
| third story loking down upon it from
| the windows, as also room on the OPP
posite side of the street to which he
was carried, and in which he died.
From this place we went to the
| White House and took look through
portions of it. The east room has be-
come histOric-the place in which
many of the most distinguished states
men of the country and other digni-
taries have met on special occasions.
| 1t is finely furnished with splendid
mirrors, carpeting and most magniti-
cent chandeliers. Nearly all the 9TH
er rooms are closed at the present to
| visitors. The grounds are beautifully
laid of and set with flowers, shrub
berry, evergreens, and shade trees, but
doubt if the occupant, whoever he
may be, sleeps as soundly and as
sweetly within its splendid walls al
the thousands of our land who ill nC
official station.
From the Presidents Mansion We
were driven to the Art gallery of the
banker, VIM. w. CorcCran. l am mo-
critic in such matters and have M
turns of art to express our impres
sions, but suffice 1t say we were pleas
ed-that the paintings and statuarS
are beautiful and that there are many
objects of curiosity collected from thu
old world, and from medieval times
The building is open free on Tuesday
Thursday and Saturday, and is wei
worthy visit, ..H.
From the Gallery we went toward
the western portion of the city, pass
, ing the aristocratic residence OF Stew
art, former Senator of Nevada, whicl
cost, as we were informed, one hun
dred and seventy-two thousand dol
p lars, and now rented 70 Senator Sha
ron ! and also passed the Louis
Home" retreat prepared through
the muniiicence of Corcoran for thi
benefit of ladies who have once beer
possessed of property, but who hav,
, been reduced to indigence This is
: handsome building, and fund hg
. been provided for It's support by il
founder the same who owns 0nC
: opens to the public the gallery of Ar
before referred to. In this latter W,
spent some time very pleasantly look
ing at the stntues and paintings =