Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-05-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The glories of beautiful May are
around US, the trees are Ill leaf, the
grass like velvet carpet whilst thou
sands of dandelion blossoms shine as
golden stars in sea of emeralds. The
parks and other government reservations
are simply beyond description. The
tulip tree, the towering peach and apple
are in full bloom, these latter have fow-
ers more like the rose than anything
else | can describe. The trees so full
of blossoms you can scarcely see the
branches, besides these beautiful trees
there are beds of tulips with Towering
shrubs and a variety of attractive plants,
besides many evergreens. There is no
one whose position is so humble but he
may rest his weary limbs on one of the
many seats provided in the grounds and
breathe the fresh air laden with the
scent of the wilderness of sweet flowers.
The season for Potomac excursions
has commenced with the usual rlvalries
between steamers. To day Secretary
Blaine and party of friend will visit
Mt. Vernon, that Mecca towards which
all patriot feet instinctively turn. The
W. W. Corcoran is the only boat allowed
to land at Washington's home and it
makes daily excursions to and from
there and is generally we'll flied with
passengers. Next Sunday there is a
"planked shad" excursion to point on
the river where the lovers of that deli
cate fish may enjoy frst-class dinner
and desecrate the Sabbath to their
hearts content.
The week that has just passed has
been one of excitement as the city has
been full of the highest officials of the
army and navy. The unwilling of the
Farragut statue brought to this point
more glitter of swords and gilded rank
than it has been my fortune to see for
many day. When Rev. Mr.. Brooks
made the opening prayer at the begin.
ming of the ceremonies of the day il
produced feeling of sadness to see the
many uncovered heads of the veterans
who fought under the immortal Commo
dore, whose hairs were as white as the
crown of the everlasting SHOWS upor
the Alps. How soon the trappings o.
wars honors will be laid aside for the
still folds of the shroud, at best | fel
that all this display for the sleeping
hero was but
"a rose stuck in a dead mans breast
This is honor, this is fame"
The honor of Withdrawing the flag tina
covered the statue was awarded to tn,
same sailor who dashed Farragut to tn
mast from whence he gave order in tn
heat of a fierce battle. There was n
end to the display of the military
From early morning until night Their
was the sound of martial music IN tn
city and many of the soldiers were s.
weary they could scarcely walk whel
evening closed in upon them, indee'
some of the cadets from Annapolis VIII
left for Washington at seven in tn
morning, quite succumbed to the hea
and fatigue of the day and were entirel
Frustrated. (There is one shameful
oversight in such public demonstrations
When the soldiers on the fourth Q
March stood for hours in the snow
, streets offering any price for hot COTE
no ole was ready to respond to thei
wants, SO last Monday they tainted fc
, water. 1 sincerely hope this lack {
hospitality, or whatever you choose
call it, may be remedied in the future.
At the close of the ceremonies at Farrt
gut square all the troops participatin
were received at the presidents residence
The display was very fine, and tt
Washington mounted police came in fl
their share of the glory. A finer bod
of men cannot be found anywhere. The
seem to be chosen for their physic;
beauty as we'll as more important deve
opments. There was no discord M
confusion and all were satisfied with Il
days entertainment. During the day
happened to be seated in "Herdio
~ by the side of two bronzed marines wi
had served under Farragut, and | We
tured to ask if the statue of the gre
man was good. EYES," said one, sit
{ good but unless l had been told who
- was | could hot have decided wheth
% it was intended for Farragut or Nap
| leon." This from one who knew hi
u personally is not very complimentar
} And now comes the complaint of sol
" one through the daily papers, that t
i statues of the city are caricature
'0 art and advising that they be melt
'' and run into pigs until they can be P
- to some good use. A leading artist be
criticises severely the last statue U
re yelled, but as there is always class
ID chronic grumblers in all communIt
st we must make some allowances for
le complaints we he hear.
as The oft repeated three card MOI
is game was practiced upon Mr.. 10
O. Houston of Ontario last Saturday. I
=: uiofino moo pnrcuadad to crocS tho In