The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-08-15

is} W AsHINGFoN. ID. c., August .. 1870.
The storm cloud has been upon ms in all its
fury Never before have the elements beat upon
our proud city with such wild frenzy as was re-
Gently her fate. The day, up to entering the af-
ternoon, had been bright. when suddenly the
clouds gathered into heavy pail. ffon which
shot crooked lightning followed by crashes OF
thunder and binding sheet Of rain that soon
flooded the streets IS river courses. Flash after
fash cleaned through the descending torrents.
and the loud report Of heavens artillery deaf
ened at short intervals. its shafts shattering
trees and houses. while the wild wind rose and
howlcd and tore down our beautiful avenues
and streets. uprooting trees, wrenching Oh
house tops, demolishing unfinished buildings,
precipitating their walls upon sand crushing
neighboring dwellings. Meanwhile the icy
hail in the torrent Of the wind. dashed into
windows, destroying countless panes of plate
glass, while, from the merciless pelting. great
numbers of our poor little sparrows were bat
tered to death. From the swollen waters sewers
burst, cellars filed and Easements flooded.
Some of the finest buildings in the city suffered
among which is Castle Stewart. y magnificent
tall edifce, whose great roof was seen to rise
and then settle back again, leaving breach in
which the rain poured and ruined the elegant
frescOed ceilings of the upper floors. But one
life Is known to have been lOst-that of u cOlored
woman whose house crushed upon her. Others
have sustained injuries, while many barely es-
capped death. The total loss of property is esti.
mated at 81, OK 1000 Altogether this was one Of
the severest drenchinxs Washington ever re-
ceived. I
While merchants, officials and private citi-
zcns are rushing out of the city with their lam
lilies, to escape the heat. there is class of men
among u. who seem to scorn and defy the per
fOri
ly forth every day to perform the most violent
xyrations, These are our base ball players. Mat
ters not lofty mercury; never thought they
give 1t, but with minds filled with dreams o.
victory. they bat and run, and pitch and halo
in style perfectly appalling to those of US who
make a business of trying to keep cool. To
offset these there has a sort OF philanthropy
ic business man sprung up during the ho
weather, in the shape OF the steamboat captain
who gives excursions down the cool POtomas
fifty or hundred miles. at from five to fifteer
| cents trip, going in the mornings. evenings
| and by moonlight. and thousands avail them
| selves Of the opportunity. where. upon the ma
jestic river. famed by delightful breezes. they
watch the gliding shores Of green. the musica
parting of the waters under the boats PROV
and the various crafts that saluting. pass. leav
| ing their trembling trail upon the wavele
| flood. while f0rgetfulness under the soft inspi
ration. obliterates blistering walls and sufYo
eating pavements. This enterprise in which
capital pushes thriving business by opening
| to the poorer Glasses opportunity for healthfl
pleasure, places itself almost on . plain with
our charitable institutions. Tho mystery to tho
| casual observer is how the large Investment in
| volved in q steamer. can be made to pay. afte
deducting the wear and tear. expenses of fuel
| labor and Band of music, But such is tn,
fact. 10 the joy Of many.
1t Is generally understood the Chinese Em
bassy soon to arrive in Washington. to taxi
| Into consideration the settlement of the Chi
nese troubles ON the Pacific coast, has rentei
Mr.. Stewards mansion. mentioned above
Tho Celestials seem disposed to make .
| imposing an appearance as any Of th,
modern governments. for which purpose they
could not have made better selection of resi-
dence. The Commission appointed by Congress
| to report q bill for the reorganization OF tn
army has been industrionsly at work. but q
| yet without any fixed result. The members
! however, have harmoni4ed their widest differ
ences of opinions, and from the concession
| made. the country may look for q recommends
tion 70 Congress to preserve the army at u. 90
consolidate the regiments. now but skeletons
and eliminate all nnnecessa ary officers who ar,
| now on big salaries. Such Is the belief abOu
| the War Department from the reports received
| 0f the action of the Com mittee.