National Republican., 1877-10-15

ciriV Items, short Sketches, social TOsstp, FocNs-
anything netssy aud oppropriate-to his depart
ment Please address al such commnniediiors
10 The Repubiican Office. care Edpress Of ne Cor
ner.
Word Of Advice to Strangers.
Again Washington has awakened from the
comatose state into which il lapscs every sum
mer as regularly as reptiles do in winter, and
this time two mouths In advance Of the usual
Season. In lieu Of languishing bostclries, de-
serted streets and general stagnation Of busi-
ness, Sleepy Hollow has been suddenly trans
formed into Vanity Fair, with throngcd thor
oughiares, crowded hotels and lodging houses
whose names are legion, staring you In the
face at every turn, with seductive placsrds Of
south front" suites and unparalleled CON
vcniences"
Members Of Congress-espccially those whs
bring their families to WashiugtOn-wll be %
charmed by the beauties of this locality in au-
tumn that they may well wonder why extra
sessions arc not always convened at this ses-
son instead Of extending through the uu-
healthy summer solstice, and we hope, will
legslate accordingly As to adjournment. This
is one Of the most delightful of cities during
the melancholy days" extending from Octo-
her all throu gh the summer Of st. Martins till
December, with air as soft and bamy NJ that
| of Nice or Ma pies, while less favored latitudes
are shrouded in scet and snow. Here the sun
sets are always fine, but never glorious -
when bathed in the indcscribabe haze Of a.
| tumn; the historic Potomac-beautiful in
| every inch of its cUurse from its rise way up
in the Cumberland hills till its identity Is lost
| in the Chesapeake-prcseuts unrivaled faciH-
ties for yachting and rowing; aud nowhere in
| the world are the suburban drives more
charming-from dreamy old Bladensburg to
the drowsy borough of Alexandria, the Rock
Creek road, Lovers Lane TO Great Falls
Cabin Johns bridge and score Of others, nei
to mention the varied attractions Of the Sol
diers' Home, whose grounds, extending over
| several miles, present great diversity Of hill
and dale, lawn and woodland, than any psrk
| in the country.
wAsHINGToN's ATTRACTIONS.
Aside from matters Of political and public
interest, Dame Nature must furnish most Of
Washington attractions for some time 10 como,
a. the party season'-whch tho habiines prog
nostcate will be more brilliant than any since
| dnte-beiium days-will not fairly begin till late
in November, reaching its height about the
holidays. To be sure, there will be some ro-
ceptions, conversation and card parties, inter-
spersed by few Germans and an occasional
ball, but the great "crushes'-each Of which
are described by the irresponsible correspond
ent as 'tbe event of the seasoa"-occur some
weeks later.
Perhaps few suggestions to ladies visiting
the Capitol may not come amiss. In going up
to sit through an afternoons session ladies will
find 1t well to wear wrappings that can bo
readily removed, as the galleries are very
warm-the ventilation, though improved he
ing still defective-and colds are the certain
result of stepping, in state of perspiration,
into the damp halls, thence into the outside
air, without extra coverings. On both tho
: House and Senate side there are ladies' dress
, ing-rooms with obliging maids in attendance,
! whose duty il is TO take care of over. shoes,
r cloaks, umbrellas, and whatever you may de-
sire to leave in their charge, and where also
cakes, candies, cough-drops, ETC., may be OBJ
/, tained for the little ones These psriors are
3 so quiet and homelke that If you are wesried
with the hustle without, and yea
q wish to wait till the session adjourns,
Q you may take a nap or cosy rock" such a
feminine nature delights in, while In the TO
freshment- rooms below you can sustain the
u | elmer man with anything edible or drink.
$ able, from cup Of tea to an elaborate dinner
Habituss as well as strangers will find IL I'd.
l. vantagcOus to purchase one of the new dia
9 grams of House and Senate, which arc for sale
" at all the news-stands in the corridors-thers
o being now so many new members, for the pur
pose Of distinguishing who is who," although
9, said members are not at all times In their own
!. seats. Perhaps 1t is unnecessary to point out
|. here which are the Diplomatic Galleries. which
/, those reserved for the wives aud families Of
" members, and which for the &c neral public n,
K the vigilant guardians of the several doors ars
a neither backward nor bashfuI in dsposing o
h you. II you come for lengthy sitting, II l,
q well to put the latest magazine in your pocket
A or some little volume, that you may bcguils
!. part of the time consumed in the prosy speeche.
a of modern sages by what ancient wits and
4, sages taught"
TO VISITORS To THE CAPITOL.
$ And now 8 word TO ramblers In the Capitol
;, Remember that the huge building covers fou'
p acres on the ground floor, perfect labyrinth
J. Of corridors one above another, which you can.
II not exhaust in one day, but which are pcrpctu
y. ally disclosing to you something new. even
1t after many visits. 1t is perfectly proper for
II ladies to pursue their explorations about the
y edifc6 unattended by gentlemen and at theil
70 leisure. True, You may sometimes We annoyed
r. by Oficious gallantry which conceals a
covert insult hut if YOU dispose Of such over
10 lures as q little friend of ours did last winter
you will not be twice troubled by the SAINT
oil party. 1t was the first day Of the session, anC
Ms she paused for breath at the head Of tn
\, n. last flight of steps gentleman t?) with flash,
IL rings and diamond studs like the headlight
NJ of locomotive, with prDioundcst bow ant
'h fascinating smile, accoS;cl her in this wise
m "Can | do anything for yoI. MadamoP" "Yol
,e can, sir" she replied with equal poltencFs
r. you can attend to your own business"
e which he straightway proceeded to do BE
e- ware of the so.callcd guides which are fteI
the shccrcst of humhugs, and If you have an,
questions to ask don't be afraid or ashamed t.
II apply to any of the mum, rous policemen WHOM
es YOU meet at every turn in tho building, 70
rc that Is part Of their business there, and the,
to are invariably courteous and gcntlcmanly. |
of is unnecessary to suggest to sensible Amcri
NV can women the propric'y of dressing plain
n. in so public place, not only because u cos
ia tune which is most unconspcuuus is in bet
nv ter taste, but on account Of the dirt and tC
he bacco juice which everywhere delace thos
marble halls"
in. Besides the usual tour Of inspection do nc
nd neglect the Library room, and tho super
rs view from its balcony, nor the wonderful fre
no Going in the dark basement halls on the Scnai
side. nor the crypt away down under the II
tunda. which was designed n srpulchI
for Washington, nor yet view froi
m the dome, which, though you must elm
over two hundred feet to attain, you wi
ev say Is well worth the toll when the Distric
OK the river and the adjacent shores of Marylan
r,c and Virginia lay spread like a map bencat
NV you, and you may imagine yourself overlook