The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-27
From our regular Correspondent


We are approaching that witchiug sea-
SON when congress becomes FESTIVE and
longs to adjourn for the holldays-when
those members that are paterfamlllates
are anxious to be at their homes. Few
that are thus blessed bring their families
with them to Washington until after
Christmas, From the first Monday IN
December, until the adjournment for hol-
idays, they lead humdrum life IN hotel |
or boarding house. keeping an eye open
for eligible suites Of rooms or furnished
houses to- rent, to which they may bring
their wives aud daughters when the real
season begins, after New ears. The bright
faces of these exotics from rural or sub
urban districts north, south, east, and west,
give Washington what reputation for fem
mime beauty it has. The native Wash
ington citayenne is not beautiful. am
afraid to say much on the subject, for L
desire to live here while longer, but it l
dared to speak could tell the why and
wherefore. Thereiis too much dancing,
too much miasma from the marshes OF the
Potomac, too much inhalation OF vltlated
furnace heated atmosphere in public
offices, and in the rooms OF houses with
modern improvements. The Washington
belle of twenty-five has no natural color,
her air and motions are spiritless. her
manners blaSe. This is part OF the truth,
but must cease telling 1t.
kko ekr Of a ~ that nIVen
TO traffic have assumed their holiday attire.
Scores of ephemeral toy shops and candy
shops have been opened for the holidays.
They swoop down from Philadelphia and
New York to undersel the old established
extortions, for week or two, supply al
the boys and girls with tin horns, dolls
and paper soldiers and then retire, leaving
the regular establishments with empty
tills to their monopoly for another year
The old adage that "a rolling stone gathers
no moss" las been answered by the other
that "a setting hen never grows fat.
In political matters there is nothing o
great interest. Such exciting stimulant
ar Mr.. Blaine's late speech, unit the mint
for the more natural, calm, and usefu
provinces of politics, and make .congres
siona discussions of greater importanc
seem tame in comparison.
The proposed new army bill OF Genera
Burnside is causing much perturbation i
the military circles, and the military circl
here is a great circle in the social sphere
A bill that retires more than three hur
bred officers, and that effects radios
changes in the organization OF the milItar
establishment is of vital interest to huI
dreds of husbands wives, daughters, an
mothers-in.law. There may be an apathi
sentiment in favor of economy in the cour
try. and a demand for retrenchment
military expenses, but this vague unorgaI
lied sentiment is opposed by powerful
organized, seductive, lobby, that has grei
social influence, and through the relation
ship of members of congress, great polit
cal influence also. 1t is more than doub
full that the bill will become law.
The death of Bayard Taylor. Unite
States Minister to Germany, creates a Va
cancy for which there will be many cand
dates, and which Stanley Mathews W
probably fill; that is if his appoiutmel
can secure the confirmation of the senat
Mr.. Schurz would seem to be the most e
gibie man for the place, but he has pC
itical antecedents in Germany, viii
would make him far from acceptable
Berlin, in the present proscriptive mood
the German Chancellor.
The last and only time that ever So
Bayard Taylor, was on the 4th of Jul
when he read his centennial poem, stan
ing on platform in front of Iudependen
Hall, surrounded by g group of di
tinguished gentlemen, among who
were Governor r. B. Hayes, and Il
present secretary of state. Mr.. Tayl
then looked the picture of health; he rel
with excellent voice, and with an unthea
rio earnest elOcution that made the patri
tic words doubly impressive,
There has long been IN circulation
story that Baron Won Humboldt spoke
Bayard Taylor as the man who had ira
eled more and seen less than any man Ii
ing or dead; but, like many such storil
it has no voucher, and considering the ra
compliment that Mr.. Taylor once pa
Humboldt to his face, il is not probab
that the latter would be disposed to induII
in unkind criticism, Nearly twenty fl
years ago when the two travellers me
Baron Humboldt, then very aged ma
said; You have seen many ruins, b.
have you ever seen so complete ruin
II" Mr.. Taylor replied: II do not see
ruin, but pyramid" G.. AS.