The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-07
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, d. c., April 30, 1881.
Many persons visiting Washington now
adays are surprised when told that the city
contains permanent population Of about
100000. They cannot explain this rapid
increase 1870 it had less than 10000
inhabitants remembering that it is with
out commerce or trade, save that Of a small
retail kind The explanation may lie found,
first, in the fact that more than one-third Of
the whole number is colored-more or less,
as complexion varies there from the full
biooded negro to the octoroon,to every shade,
indeed, between black and white. Another
fact is that the army ofgovornment employ
es who were wont to reside here and keep
their families at home have brought their
families to Washington since the material
improvements in the town and ampler Ia
cilities for Lying. A third fact is that many
people of small incomes have made their
abode here in consequence of reduced house,
hold expenses. The federal capital used to
be city where everything WAS dear and
everything was poor; and 10 be compelled
TO pay high price for an inferior article is
the reverse of attractive for place either of
residence or sojourn. Within few years
this has been changed. Washington has
grown to lie both pleasant and reasonable
as respects outlay. The probability is that
Washington will continue to become more
and more a favorite place for winter resi-
dence, for the climate is much miIder than
in your region, and the cost of living is lar
III ,,,p ,,f 1,r o;t Thn.
political capital is, on the whole, very in.
viting to anybody having small means and
a love of tranquility. Its population is cos
mopoltan, and grows more SO every year.
Social life is one Of its specialtes, and when
it has been made entirely healthy by the
redemption Of the Potomac flats it promises
to be one of the most attractive social cen.
tres in the country.
Judging from the notice that appear IN
the various daily and weekly newspapers
of the city the leading feature Of the society
of Washington is assuming a higher intel
lectual cast. There are quite number of
literary, classical, musical and dramatic So
cieties, and associations Of AIT and science
regularly organized, and in full practice, so
to speak. The stated aud occasional meet
ings of these associations are not only enliv-
ened by the ordinary "chit- chat" OF fashion
able gatherings, but by studied rectations,
prepared lectures, and well methodised dis
courses on almost every variety Of topic.
Poetical recitation, gay, lively and grave,
original and selected, forms one of the fea-
lures, perhaps the most prominent, and
gentlemen and ladies of admitted genuine
and graciously willing, if not eager, TO favor
their friends with specimens of their gifts
and capacities. Another very pleasing
feature Of the society of the Capital City is
that the stated evening receptions of many Of
the private families are distinguished by
this new mode OF converting time; and the
dull and llatuant chit-chat 1.-THE humdrum
days of the past is forced either into silence
or is hurried along by the sparkling rush Of
q higher intellectual conversation.
The eagerness with which clerical posi-
tions in the Departments at the National
Capital are sought must have its source in
a false conception OF the advantages which
such places offer. II wealth 0nd fame were
the certain rewards of faithful service in
these humble Offices, one could readily ex-
plain the scramble. Bot as poverty and
d0scur:'v are the average lot of Government
clerks, it is not easy to account for the
overwhelming pressure of the tide that sets
toward that current of life. If the hun
dreds Of bright, intelligent, ambitious young
men who are now pushing for department
tal positions, could be made to realize the
actual facts Of the situation, they would
withdraw their applications and try 10
carve out careers III another field where
ambition has u chance. August.