Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-28
For The Freeman.
Ramblings About Washington.

1 OSSb Va lilO
| n America, and recalls remembrance of 8
Florentine palace. 1t measures three
hundred feet north and south, and two
hundred ond four feet east and west. In
the centre of the front, over the carriage
gateway, is an interesting specimen oi
carving representing the railroad and the
telegraph. The city postoflice is in the
centre of the north front. The dead letter
Office is on the north side.
In 1889 the south portion of the present
building was commenced by Robert Mills.
In 1856 the new extension was begun,
The designs were made by Thomas NJ.
Walter, architect of the capitol, and exc
cuted by Gen. NJ. C. Meiggs and Edward
Clark, architect. It's cost up to 1876 was
81 ,855 8S9,59.
The national observatory is situated on
hill ninety-six feet high, on the Potomac
river, southwest from the presidents
house. This elevation was formerly
known as Camp Hill, because the forces of
Gen. Braddock encamped here previous
to starting on the ill-fated expedition of
1855. and in 1914 the troops mustered to
defend Washington were stationed here.
Gen. Washington was desirous of having
Il national university established here. The
observatory is under the direction of the
navy department, and belongs to the bu-
reau of navigation. 1t was established in
1912. Its present rank is among the fore
most in the world. There is here, mount
ed in 1873, the most powerful teslescope
ever made-the "Great Equatorial" 1t
cost $4,000, and weighs, including its
base, six tons. The cost of the revov-
ing iron dome erected to cover it was
$4,000.
The navy yard lies along the banks OF
the Anicosta. On December 80, 1899,
Benjamin Stoddard, secretary of the navy,
ordered the grounds to be laid out The
yard was formally established by act of
March, 1904. The grounds occupy twenty.
seven acres. 1t contains large number
of trophies connected with our naval
encounters. The museum is full of OBJ
jects of interest. There is here Spanish
gun which Cortez used in his conquest of
Mexico, obtained during our Mexican war,
and small mortar captured from Lord
Cornwallis. The Wasp, the Argus, the
Viper, Shark and Grampus, the sloop st.
Louis, twenty four guns, and the frigates,
Columbia, Essex, Potomac and the Bran
dywne, of forty.four guns each, were
built here. Recently the yard has been
more prominent. for its manufacture of
naval supplies than for naval construction.
1t has extensive workshops.
To the medical student the army medi-
cal museum is interesting beyond express
sion. The building was once Ford S Thea
ire, i'll which President Lincoln was assas-
sinated.
Columbia's institution for the deaf and
dumb is situated on "Kendall Green.
Amos Kendall, postmaster general in Gen.
Jackson's cabinet. donated some acres and
a small building first occupied by the in
which was incorporated in 1859,
and since mainly supported by congress.
In 1864 collegiate department was cre-
atcd. 1t has since rapidly increased in
efficiency. The buildings are now very
fine The entire property is valued mt
S250,000. Many of the graduates of the
institution are employed in the govern
ment printing Office, situated at the corner
of North Capitol and II streets. The
length is three hundred feet on Ii street
and one hundred and seventy-ive feet on
Capitol street. 1t is four stories high and
cost SS4,9l5. 1t is said to be the largest
printing establishment in the world.
The Corcoran art gallery is situated on
avenue, opposite the war
1t is in the Renaissance style,
one hundred and four feet by one hundred
and twentyfour and one-half feet, of
brick, with trimmings of Bellevlle free
stone. The building is the gift of Mr.. W
w. Corcoran, n retired banker and philan-
thropist of Washington, to the United
States. With it is also given his private
art collection, valued at 100000, and IN
endowment fund ef $900.000 the interest
on which is to be expended to increase the
value of the collection. Every few months
the noble donor. besides this, presents the
gallery with works of art. lie presented
last year perfect gem of picture by
Bicrstadt, that cost S15, 1000. The gallery
of sculpture and bronzes is exceedingly
fine. Facilities for copying the works of
the gallery are cordially extended to artists
and students.
The Louise Home" that thoughtful
and beautiful charity of the same w. w.
Corcoran, who has called it by the name
of his wife and daughter, ladies now dead,
is on Mass auenue. 1t was built in 1871.
1t provides an elegant home for reduced
gentlemen. 1t cost 100000, and has an
of $250,000. 1t accommo-
dates tifty-ive persons. The inmates are
invited by the lady directress. The found
or, with some invited guests, always dimes
there on his birthdays. Portraits of him
self. wife and daughter arc in the drawing
room; also many works of art.
Georgetown is separated from Washing
ton by Rock Creek. 1t was town of
some Importance AT the time the federal
city was located. Georgetown Heights
presents admirable building sites, and is
occupied by beautiful residences, many of
them Of palatial character
Oak Hill cemetery is situated on the
heights, and for taste in adornment and
general management challenges compari-
son with any cemetery in America. 1t
was originally the gift of w. w. Corcorau,
whose wife and daughter are buried there.
Stanton, Chief Justice Chase
and many other distinguished dead lie