The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-11-10

tive by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The
leaders--continually strain every nerve
to increase its magnetism, and they
promise for this season q succession OF
entertainments on scale that has not
heretofore been attempted. Gossip, the
ambassador and minister plenipoten-
tiary Of the social world, tells this year
of mysterious costumes and surprises
that will fairly astound, and add greatly
to the splendor Of the display: IL Is
already manifest that between Vanity
Fair and the National Legislature, there
will be nothing dormant In Washington
this fall and winter, from the first social
whirl to the intermlssion which ensues
with sombre Lent.
A walk about the city surprises the
summer absentee, and expressions OF
establishment are heard on al sides ut
the transformations effected during their
absence. In rapid improvement wash
ington is perhaps the most remark
able city In the world. Each year
the magic hand Of the builder
works surprises In new designs OF
brick, stone, and mortar. New streets
are opened and paved with asphalt.
Vast public buildings are reared.
Dreary wastes OF ground are metamor-
DHOHtu IHlO NtIuult Dhihos iht I'M
irict Government that has done so much
to make the capital the pride Of the
American people, has not been idle all
summer. Its energy Is specially mani
fest by new asphalt pavements., and the
improvements upon Washingt0n's
parks; and the little triangular green
patches, which form wherever the OBJ
lique avenues cross the right angular
streets, also indicate much care and
cultivation. Provision is soon to be
made for planting shade trees on Penn
sylvania avenue, which now present
beautiful smooth stretch Of asphalt from
the capitol to the south gate OF the
Treasury department, marred only by q
car track down its centre. Every AZ
ternoon, Mt 4 o'clock, the outpour from
the Government departments mingles
with fashion in promenade upon this
north sidewalk, In contrast with the
almost deserted south side of the
avenue. IL Is curious, this fact of
Pennsylvania avenue, that almost all Its
foot traffic and the majority of its busi-
ness is upon the north side, while Its
southern sidewalk is bare and I'M
inviting.
Washington is happy in another i'm
provement. The howl OF the Office
seeker is nearly inaudible. This strange,
hopeful variety of the genus homo we
have always with us. He does not mi
CRATE with the rest of Washingtonians
for summer holiday, but plies his vo-
cation the year around. lie formerly
made life uncomfortable to the President
and the heads of the departments. No
amount of vigilance thwarted his bold
designs, but he is at last conquered by
the horrors Of the rigid competitive ex-
animation. He shrinks from the frowns
of the civil service measures. The ma
jority Of this recently formidable army
are awed into complete absence, but
the most daring of the great, hungry
horde still loiter around and feebly howl
their presence.
Much attention is now directed to-
wards the Washington monument, as 1t
approaches completion. The tall white
marble shaft may already be seen from
almost any part of the city, and soon
the question of the grand dedication
ceremonies will be mooted. l..