Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-02-28
From Our Regular Correspondent J
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. "a. 'sS.


Apart from the engrossing social gayeties
of the season, Washington has never been
more crowded with amusements OF other
kinds following in rapid succession.
interlapping and offering such attractive
ness and variety as TO render choice often
difficult. The rich and the poor, the high
and the low, cultured aesthetics and
commonplace people can be accommodated
with entertainment exactly adapted to
their degree of appreciation and to the
calibre of their purses. from the ten cent
museum to the Italian opera for ten dollars
a seat. This week comic opera, classic opera,
and the dog show are contesting for the
patronage of the public, but there seem to
be people of sufficiently diversified taste to
do full Justice to each. For, while many
affect a preference for PATHS or Scalchi' s
golden vocal chords, others OF totally
different musical school prefer the canine
chorus that may be heard for fifty cents at
the dog show, and which is composed Of
a soprano of sharp yelpng pups and
spaniels, contralto Of bsying hounds and
beagles, and basso of hoarse voiced
mastiffs and St. Demands. The interna.
tional bench show is being held at the
skating rink. and is novelty here, so that
everybody asks everybody else if he has
been to the dog show. There arc three
hundred and ninety two dogs entered.
many of them being the finest spec imens
of their kind that can be found il this
country. The kennels are arrange d in
double rows, extending the entire length
cf the rink, with asles between that are
so narrow, visitors feel in great danger,
while trying to keep at safe distance
from the bull dogs and blood hounds on
one side, OF being nabbed by some other
kind Of dog on the opposite side. Every
breed of dogs is represented, and are well
classified. Considering their unnatural
surroundings they are pretty we'll behaved,
for most of them are far from home and
among strangers. This feature seems
cruel, and many of them send up indig-
nant protests against their enforced
situation in a variety Of barks, bowls,
yelps and whines that are both distracting
and deafening. There are many famous
dogs here, and large number are for
sale at prices ranging from thirty to
fifteen thousand dollars. This is absurd to
the disinterested and unprofessiona, but
good "dog men, say these are not fancy
prizes. The dog is judged by the shape
of his body and legs, size aud shape of his
head, droop of his tail, and the texture Of
his coat, not at all by his requirements as
some have supposed. Pugs are most
fashionable now, and ladies are exhibiting
their pets in cages decora ed in most
artistic styles. Some are satin lined, with
lace trimmed draperies festooned and
ooped with rosettes and ribbons. Others
are furnished with pictures, mirrors and
VCiFct CuSuiodS ioi ldo uol mugs " IcpOsc
upon, and trihes such as india rubber
dolls and balls for them to play with. The
poor things do look unhappy, but loving
hearts have tried hard to surround them
with home comforts and luxuries during
this trying ordeal. One tiny exquisit e
wore blue embroidered mantle, silver
necklace made of half dime pieces,
inscribed with the name of each donor,
(Cul. Ingersoll's being onspcuous among
them, land to this necklace was attached a
diamond cross. This wee dog received a
diploma for being the smallest and most
thoroughbred black and tan. She has
travelled extensively, is seven years old,
her name is Flnnie Cabell. She is owned
by lady of this city who told me a
fortune wo Id not buy her. The dogs
receive many attentions from visitors, but
the latter are little wary as to where
they bestow their caresses. A pretty girl
was observed petting repulsive looking
dog, and calling him BY endearing names,
while a society beau looked on wistfully
and murmured "he would give FIVE hun
dred dollars to be the bull purp for just
five minutes
Washington dogs have been very sue
cessful in winning prizes at this show, and
doubtless this will cause a dog fever to
spring up here among all classes.
Yesterday was given almost entirely to
the celebration of the natal anniversary of
the first president. All government de-
partments were closed and the stars and
stripes were unfurled over all public
buildings and over many private houses.
At the capitol alone no rest was taken.
Congress labored throughout the day The
Senate tariff bill has been passed, and
the question is: what will the House do
with it." The republican caucus yester-
day furnished no answer to the question.
On one point there was agreement-that
the majority ought 10 revise the tariff if it
Is revised at sill. Republicans of all classes
are for republican rather than democratic
revision.