Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-28

Harriette r. Shattuck. in Boston Transcript.
There are five things which first attract the
attention of the Bostonian in this national capi-
tal-the width Of the streets the leisure of peo-
pie. the quiet of the nights the preponderance
of men. and the politeness of everybody: none
Of which. it must be confessed are characters
tics of Boston. There is also an indefnable
aristocratic air pervadin@ everything. which.
though not wholly satisfactory to one with dem
ocratic tendencies is yet quite gratifying as
subject for study. OF these characteristics the
most noteworthy are the large number Of the
men and their uniform politcness. Why. was
even asked by a gentleman if his cigar was
offensive to me-nOt a cigar which he was
smoking. but one which he held behind him:
and from his manner I could not doubt that
ne would have instantly sacrificed it had
said yes. In inquiring the way to several
liaces where We had business we also met with
this surprising courtesy. Small bows walked
along with US to show us the way Youths offered
to cross the muddy street and inquire men of
all ages. occupations. and cOlorS went out of
their way direct US Alright. and with every one
there was the same perfect politeness of tone
and manner. There are great many negroes
here. of course; and one can see the effect of
inherited tendencies in the perfection with which
they attend to all needs The SONS and grand
sons of walters and servants are Of necessity
better suited to their vOcaions than raw recruits
from Ireland. whose parents never saw table
or hotel. 1t was quite amusing. however. to
attending to several business matters. we
started to return to our hotel. We asked a
number of persons at different points and the
invariable answer was, You jest &C down TO de
avenue and then turn to de right" etc. etc
They all supposed that we must know where
''de avenue" is and when we confessed ignOr-
ance we were regarded with amaZement and
What avenue? Why. PENNSYLVANIA avennel You
Jest 90 down to de avenue" was the surprised
reiOinder.
Wa have fhoo 10
eminent buildings-the Capitol. Patent ONCE
and Treasury. They are magnificent struc-
lures, and fully answer all our expceta-
tons, but in cOnstrast to these massive and
elegant buildings are the miserable. broken
down novels which cover the ground all around
the track as you enter the city. Like every
other place where there is great disparity be-
tween the high and lowly. the buildings indicate
that disparity. There is always dark side to
all such lavish elegance as Washington displays.
The Breeches Movement.
From the Cincinnati Gazette
Acceptingo knee breeches as the esthetic
clothes several persons have written in their
favor that they will avoid that bagginess to
which trousers are subject at the knees from
the devotional posture and from the habit of
sitting with one leg resting on the other. Not
to discourage this movement. but to prevent
disappointment in worthy effort. it should
be mentioned that this idea Of the exemption
of knee breeches from being kneed is a radi-
cal error, for that their being fastened just be-
low the knee, and the tightness which BELTS
TINS garment. allow no slack for the bending
OF the knee; therefore would knee breeches
be kneed more than trousers. That shorter
form of breeches which does not come to the
knee, would be requisite to avoid this baggi-
ness. Yet the tights worn under these would
bag. The esthetic clothes are not free from
difficulty. but no one should be discouraged.
The cause is worthy Of great effort. and of
great sacrifice if necessary. Let every aspiring
esthete say with Harry the Fifth, "Once more
to the breach, dear friends!" The Scotch High
land costume is absolutely exempt from bagging
at the knees. 1t has also picturesauenesS far
surprising Mr. Oscar Wildes black breeches,
black stockings, and stiff dress coat, and more
behtting the esthetic renaissance whose en-
blems are the sunf1Ower and the lily