Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-28
Notes by the Way.

Notes by the Way.
WARRINGTON, ID. c., April, "a. 1880.
We arrived here last evening about 8, and
as we passed the capitol it was lighted from
base tie dome. indicating that a night session
was being held.
Our first visit in the morning was to the
Smithsonian Institute, building erected by
the liberality of Smithson-three letters adj
ditional gives its name. Here is found a
collection from the whole universe apparent
ly. One day would be short time to spend
in this building; but many of your readers
have been here and seen all this. l notice,
however, we see very often with diff
ferent eyes. Two scenes in the life
Of Christ ,one representing Gethsemane, and
the crucifxion life-size, attracted my atten-
ton; there were the soldiers throwing the
dice, even. group of statuary entitled
Westward the Star of Empire takes its
Way is simply grand. Skeletons of ami
mails. from the smallest to the largest that
ever existed, from all the countries ON the
globe.
Near is the Agricultural Department; here
are fruits from all the countries in the world.
Many are preserved in bottles and cases all
labeled. One case will contain pears from a
Duchess, weighing five pounds down to one
weighing an OF. Squashes four feet long
down to two inches. Potatoes as big as
your foot. Mammoth turnips, beets. apples,
| EIn t,fta fro N.I,r tI,n
largest l ever saw; wool, and in fine, every
thing that can be thought of. In connection
is library.
| We next visit the Monument, which has
reached height of $50 feet, and work was
| stopped for want of funds, but Congress has
made an appropriation and the foundation
| is now being strengthened and the structure
will probably be completed without delay
| The new Bureau Of Printing and Engrav-
| ing is well advanced toward completion.
Here we have view of Arlington Heights
across the Potomac, and Alexandria, also the
long bridge across the river. 1t is probable
that the government will. at some time pay
Mrs. Lee for the estate that was confiscated
for a burial place tor Union soldiers. The
Treasury building is a National Bank on a
large scale.
We now pass up town and notice the spot
where Sckles killed Key. The tree against
which Key leaned after he was shot, was SO
cut to pieces BY relic hunters that it died and
was removed. Not far is the house in which
Seward was assassinated, also the house
where Sumner lived and died The stable
built by Gen. Grant, that the papers said
cost $40 900, may possibly have cost $1,000
The State Department is splendid build
ing. An elevatortakes us to any floor we wish
Secretary Evarts' room is fine, but the room
in which foreign ministers are received is
the most finely furnished of any in the build
ing,-in striking contrast to the reception
room, in which hang portraits of Webster.
Seward and Gen. jackson; also life-size
painting of the Bey of Tunis, that was pre-
scented by him to Mr.. Seward after his visit
to this country. In this building is magni-
fcent library. but think not equal to the
Peabody library in Baltimore.
The original copy of the Declaration of indie
pendence is in this room. The names are
nearly obliterated by age. 1t is now in a
glass case, kept dark and from the air, and i,
is probable that it will last in its present state
for ages. In this library is history of the
creation, printed in Nuremberg in 1893, in
German. 1t is filled with cuts The Almighty
is represented as making man out of the dus,
of the earth. That is the first DAYS work
and so on each days work, till the seven day :.
work was accomplished. Rather rude ideas
we say at this age.
In the second age comes Lot He is rep
resented as fleeing from Sodom. His wife
appears as pillar of salt Then comes the
third age. and so on all represented by cuts
and intensely interesting to u.s. as a German
scholar was with us and explained the Ssn
guage. II
Here is facsimile of the treaty between
the Athenians and Chaldeans, 44e years be-
fore Christ, cut in marble. twas foun,
on the 2sth Of June, 1876, in tae wall Of tn,
AcrOpolis at Athens. But it sakes time to in
spect all these object that are interesting, an,
: We must leave, though very reluctantly.
The Patent Office is study for the inven
tor. One case containing old relics intereste,
me most. Here is an old coat worn by Jack
son at the battle of New Orleans, Jan s,Isl5
not unlike the military coats worn to-day
The suit worn by George Washington wher
he resigned his commission at Annapolis
1885, is an ancient looking affair Here is
, bed-curtain. worked by Martha Washington
also Washington's cane, willed to him b,
Benz. Franklin; Washington's camp-stoo
used by him when in the field; war saddle o
Baron Dekalb: coat captured from SAINT.
Anna in the Mexican war: the identical print
ing press at which Franklin worked over 10,
years ago. in England, and hundreds of othe
relics that cannot remember now
We must now go to the Capitol and hea
the law makers. The seats are are not near
! ly all occupied, as there is a dead lock" owe
. the Marshars appropriation bill, and the re
publicans are masters of the situation thu
far. They will talk in spite of the opposition
but the talk is all on one side. l suspec
there is more president making" going oil
just now than anything, and from all l car
see Senator Blaine has the inside track.
The weather is beautiful and warm; every
thing looks finely; the trees are all leaved out
and the city presents a beautiful appearance
No one need be ashamed of the Capital o
this Nation. S.