The National tribune., 1882-05-27
EXCURSIONS TO THE CAPITAL,

Usually about the middle of May, says
correspondent Of the Philadelphia Star,
Washington is TO be seen at its best and
when you see it at its best you see the pret-
tiest city in the United States, and, as far as
l have seen, the prettiest in the world. But
we are about two weeks behind time. 1t
has been raining since Tuesday night and
everything is damp and chilly. The rain,
however, is making the grass look as if 1t
were greener than ever before, and is bring
ing out the leaves on the trees so rapidly
that you fancy you can see them grow. This
is a city of parks, trees, honeysuckle vines,
flowers ofall descriptions, clean and smoothly
paved streets, beautiful public buildings,
and cheap car fares. Any man who wants
TO give his wife and children few days
holiday, and at the same time have visit of
instruction, let him take run down here III
about two weeks or say the first week IN
June. Not only will he be able to see
beautiful city and have visit to all the
public departments but he will have a
chance to see Congress in session and other
attractions that are visible only when Con-
greSS is in session. There is firm in Boston
which makes a business of bringing eXCur
sion parties from the surrounding country
to Washington during the fall, winter, and
spring-One about every three weeks. The
excursionists generally allow themselves
week from home, which gives them about
five days here. Judging from the large
numbers that the firm brings the excursions
must be success. 1t is wonder some one
does not start e similar movement for Phila-
delphia and neighborhood.
Mr.. Menamin, Of the Printers Circular, is
here arranging for the visit Of the Pennsyl-
vania Editorial Association in the latter
part of June. They will number about $50
persons. He has secured quarters for them
at the National and Metropolitan Hotels.
They will stay with US for a week. The
President has promised to receive them, and
give them the run Of the Executive Mansion
for an hour or two. One day is to be spent
in trip of sixteen miles down the Potomac
TO the grave of Washington, at Mount Yer
non. This is a trip full of historic associa-
tions. You pass the United States Arsenal
and see the spot where were hanged the
conspirators in the assassination of the late
President Lincoln; the old town of .Alexan-
andria, where Ellsworth was killed; the
Virginia hills, where at one time, were en-
canned hundred thousand soldiers; old
Fort Washington, the navy yard, the Jail
where Guiteau is confined, the bridge Booth
crossed in making his escape after killing
Lincoln, and other places of equal interest.
Then the editorial people are to have drive
to the Soldiers Home and park, Ca lovely
place, at one point of which you get birds
eye view of the city, and visits of inspection
to the Capitol building, the State, War, Navy,
Treasury and Post Office Departments, the
Patent Office, the Agricultural Bureau, the
Smithsonian Institute and park, the National
Museum, which is store-house for all things
given to the Government by the various
exhibitors at the Centennial Exhibition, the
Botanical Gardens, the Washington Monu-
ment, now nesrly 800 feet high, and to be
SEQ feet when completed; the carp ponds,
the Corcoran Art Gallery-one of the best
art galleries in the country-the Medical
Museum, containing all the medical records
and relics of the war, and which was the
house in which Lincoln was assassinated;
the depot building where Garfield was MUIR
dered, and many other places I cannot now
think of, but which Mr.. Menamin has
marked down on his programme.
1t ought to be pleasant excursion, for
there is everything here to make it pleasant
for a visitor.