Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-30
THE MAGNIFICENT PANORAMA

stretching before you. The city looks trine
different when viewed almost from the realms Of
the clouds, and realization Of what it must be
to go balloon-voyaging dawns on you. The
public buildings towards the north, the Treas
ury. State, War and Navy departments, and the
White House look like doll houses. Squares
are as blocks on checker-board and streets but
hair lines Trees lose their individuality and
the woods are only exaggerated clumps.
The river towards the south is only a
pond, but still you can trace its silvery
line for miles. Mount Vernon can be seen on
clear days with a field glass, and many we'll
known places In the neighboring hills Of Vir-
ginia and Maryland can be easily picked out.
1t is thought when the monument reaches its
full height that vessels can be seen on Chesa-
peake bay. Tug boats on the river excite more
attention by their putting and blowing than
they do by their size. EVERYWHERE YOU turn the
view is pleasing. The tiny lines of green
browning the heights and the river washing its
shores frame the city like a picture. Visitors
are always impressed with the safety net
are und the monument. but none have exhibited
any pranks that would expose them to being
caught in its meshes. The workmen get so
used to their elevated position as to sit on the
edge with their feet hanging over while they
eat their lunch. They know the security af-
forded by the net and can be little risky. The
average visitor keeps within respectful dis
lance of both outer and inner edges of the wall.
| and feels all the time as if he were treading on
air. The wind blows. too, with business
velocity and very windy day takes up con-
siderable attention. The wind has blown one
workman off his feet. but he was caught in the
safety-net. The only cases of bravado eX-
hibited yet were by young woman. who got
out in the safety-net just to see how it would
feel. and cat, who risked one of his nine lives
IN jumping from the top, but with no serious
| results. The descent can be made either by the
known terrOrs of the former to the undiscOv-
ered horrors of the latter. The iron frame
work of the staircase is all right, but only
temporary steps are in place. There are no
rlsers at all, and only narrow planks for steps.
DOWN THE STAIRS.
Blessed with venturesome spirit THE STAR
reporter has made the descent by this means,
and is willing. having escaped all right. to pro-
mise never to attempt the task again. While
you have the light to guide you, it is all plain
| sailing, but when the dark passage is reached
its takes a firm trust in Providence and clear
head to make any progress. Should the eleva-
tor pass, as it will several times, probably, the
delightful fear of its dropping on you comes
Familiarity to the front again. The landings are
the only cOmpensations, for you have good
rest. The last two or three turns in the stair
way have sufficient light from the door, and you
| reach the floor with sigh of relief.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
| Among the distinguished persons In recent
times who were especially fond Of making the
ascent were ex-President and Mrs. Hayes. The
| latter was frequent visitor. Garfield also
visited the monument and made the ascent
The venerable Mr.. W. W. Corcoran is another
| frequent visitor. AS president of the mOnu-
ment association, he makes MANY visits to the
q lyxov rio doc, 10 <1,of nr,
ident Arthur has not yet made his appearance
there. Engineers are especially fond of going
up and acquainting themselves with the details
| of the work.
| THE MONUMENT IN WINTER QUARTERS.
The top Of the monument has been secured
from the weather, and all the working parapher.
MALTA removed for the winter The safety-net
has been taken down, the tops of the walls
boarded In, and the opening so protected that
the interior will not suffer from the storms Of
the winter Masons will be at work all winter
preparing the blocks of marble and granite, SO
that large quantity of stone will be on hand
when work Is resumed. 1t is thought that the
speed IN setting can be so accelerated that one
course can be laid each day, instead Of It's taking
two days, as at present The tp-tap of the
stOne-cutters is about the liveliest sounds now
| around the grounds; the years work is resting
on its laurels and the prospect looks very bright
| tuat Tue w HSuluSl0u monument Will get Its full
growth by its thirty -sixth birthday.
| HIGH STRUCTURES.
In connection with this topic we present be-
low table, made up with considerable labor
and great care, showing the height of some Of
the most remarkable structures Of their class in
the world. 1t is not claimed that it is exactly
correct. since authorities on the subject differ
greatly in the figures they give. We have. how
ever, in cases Of difference or doubt. taken the
measurements OF what are believed to be the
latest and most reliable authorities in the seve-
raj cases, and the table may therefore be &C
| cepted as relatively and approximately correct,
if not absolutely so in all minor respects. From
| the figures given it will be seen that the Wash
ingtOn Monument will be, when completed,
torty-for feet higher than any other artificial Oh
ject In the auorM.
Pisa, leaning tower. 179
Baltimore, Washington monument. 80
Montreal, NOtre Dame cathedral ............. go
Boston, Bunker Hill monument. 22l
Montreal English cathedral los