Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-25
Washington Letter

We are approaching that witching sea-
on when congress becomes FESTIVE ana
ongs to adjourn for the holidays-when
hose members that are paterfHmilias'es
IRE anxious to be at their homes. Few
hat are thus blessed bring their families
with them To Washington until alter
Christmas. From the first Monday in De-
cember. until adjournment for holidays
they lead hum. drum life in hotel, or
house. keeping an eye open Tor
eligible suites of rooms or furnished
houses to rent. to which they may bring
their wives and daughters when the real
season begins, after New Years. The
bright faces of these exotics from rural or
urban districts north, south, east, anu
west. give Washington what reputation
for feminine beauty it has. The native
Washington Cheyenne is not beautiful.
am afraid to say much on the subject, for
desire to liye here IL while longer, but II
dared to speak could tell the why and
WHeTelOIe. IhcIc 10. IoO uAuSh N'N'"o'
too much miasma from the marshes of the
Potomac, too much inhalation OF vitlated
furnace heated atmosphere in public Of
fees, and in the rooms OF houses with
modern improvements. The Wilmington
belle of twenty two has no natural color.
her air and motions are spiritless. her
manners base This is Il part of the truth,
but must cease telling it.
All the streets of the city that are given
to traffic have assumed their holiday at
tire. Scores Of ephemeral toy shops and
candy shops have been opened for the hol-
idays. They swoop down from Philade-
phia and New York to undersell the old
| established extortions, for week or two,
! supply all the boys and girls with tin
horns, dolls, and paperisoliers, and then
retire. leaving the regular establishments
with empty tills to their monopoly for
another year. The old adage that roll
ing stone gathers no moss has been an
swered by the other, that setting hen
never grows fat.
| In political matters there is nothing OF
great interest. Such exciting stimulents.
Us Mr.. Blaine's late speech, unfit the mind
for the more natural, calm, and useful
provinces of politics, and make congress
,ional discussions of greater importance
seem tame in comparison.
The proposed new army bill of General
Burnside is causing much perturbation
in the military circle, and the military
circle here is a great circle in the social
sphere. A bill that retires more thar
three handred officers. and that effect:
radical changes in the organization of the
military establishment is of vital interest
to hundreds of husbands. wives, daughters
and mothers-in-law, There may be ar
apathetc sentiment in favor of economy
the country, and Il demand for retrench
=. military expenses, but this vague
'i''n' - "timent is opposed by a
powerful, organized. D. '''v ',' ,t". s'.,
has great social influence. an" 'hrous'
the relationship of members OF Co. VS.
great political influence also. IL y 'iioi =
than doubtful that the bill will beco'i'' n
law. e.,
The death of Bayard Taylor. Unl'eo
States minister to Germany. creates va
c,ncy for which there will be many candi-
dates, and which Stanley Matthews will
probably fill; that is, if his appointment
can secure the confirmation of the Senate
Mr.. Schurz would seem to be the most
elipible man for the place. but he mas
politica, anteccdens in Germany, which
woul make him far from acceptable al
Berlin. in the present proscriptive mood oil
the German chancellor.
The last and only time that l ever saw
Bayard Taylor. WAS on the 4th OF july
1876, when he read his centennial poem
standing on a platform in front of Indie
nendence Hall, surrounded by u group o.
distinguished gentlemen, among whom
were Governor r. b. Hayes, and the pres
ent secretary of state. Mr.. Taylor thet
looked the picture of health; he read will
excellent voice, and with m untheatrl'
earnest elocution that male the patriotic
words doubly impressive.
There has long been in circulation
story that Baron Won Humboldt spoke o
Bayard Taylor as the MIN who had traV
eled more aud seen less than any MAJ
living or dead; but, like many such sto
ries, it has no voucher, and, conslderln!
the rare compliment that Mr.. Taylor ono
paid Humboldt to his face, it is not proba
, bic that the latter would be disposed I
. indulge in unkind criticism. Nearly TWEEN
ty-live years ago when the two traveller
met, Baron Humboldt, then very age
man. said: You have seen many rum
but have you ever seen SO complete
! ruin as II" Mr. Taylor replied: d
e not see II ruin, but pyramid" S.
Is Secrat,rv Sherman authorizes the acce