Smyrna times., 1884-05-28
SMYRNA DEL. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MAY 28 1884

ueNOIeeS, JneaUefS ana opera houses /
will spring into existence, halls will be
built for music, the higher kinds of en-
tertainment will be encouraged, and |
the best people will find something to |
do beside observing the deeds of their |
neighbOrs. The topics of conversation |
will be more numerous and interesting;
conservation itself will be more attract |
tive; even fashionable people will go
to concerts, exhibitions, dramas, which /
will render constant parties less alb
sorbing and fascinating. Society in
New York is more dashing, costly, ex-
acting, than it is in Washington, but
it occupies less space in the public eye.
1t is interesting to none but those alb
sOrbed in it. The papers chronicle it's
event along with other items of news,
but the proportion between the para
graphs given to it and those given to
matters that engage the whole commu-
nifty is not by any means so large as it
must be in smaller places. Washing
ton will improve in this respect as time
goes on. Society may be no less varied
and charming-the presence of
European diplomatists will keep it so
but it will challenge the considera-
ton of a smaller relative number of
men and women.
Already complaints are heard in
some quarters, chiefly among the older
residents, that Washington is losing
many of its former characteristics
that it is becoming larger, more stately,
more CeremOniOus. 1t is true. The
delightful village will one day be
beautiful city; the great town will
swell into Il national metropolis; the
little, low houses of wood will be sue
ceeded by huge buildings, palatial,
vast, with towers, balconies, gilded
ratings, carriage-ways, and other ap-
purtenances of wealth; the frequent
vacant spaces will be filled with archi-
lecture of the large-minded, cOsmical
the profane will say prOmiscuous-
description so peculiar to Washington;
the long avenues will not be stretches
of desolatiOn; residences will not be
cOnfOunded with shops, as in rural dis
tricts; stores will be enlarged and
adorned; an immense city, unique.
peculiar, different from any seat of
government in the world, singular
among American towns, will grow up
on the shore of the Potomac.
Washington, it will be seen, is to be
a creation of the future. In the wears
that are coming it will not be a cheap
place to live in, as it is now, compara-
lively. Real estate will be more val
liable; rents will rise; the cost of pro-
visions will increase; taxes will aug
ment; desirable situations will be more
difficult to obtain; the price of build
ing material will be enhanced; in a
word, all the consequences of advanced
civilization will be felt. 1t is a pity
that some things were not differently
done at the Outset-the design of the
Capitol, for instance, the laying out of
Pennsylvania avenue above Four
teenth street, the provision for con-
tinuous line between the Capitol and
| the White House, the rounding of the
corner near the Treasury, with a wide
sweep beyond; but every detail can
not be thought of at once. The ugly
4 buildings in front Of the Treasury mau-
/ sOleum will be removed one of these
! days; the huge, unsightly pillars that
bar the street beyond the Treasury
grounds will be taken down; the grim
/ iron fences will not be left to perplex
or madden strangers forever; and one
by one cOnVeniences will be intro
duced. The city deserves all that can
be spent or lavished on its embellish-
ment, the love of its citizens, the care
of its public spirited men and women.
Its promise is of the fairest; its per-
fOrmance thus far errs on the negative
rather than on the positive side, and
can easily be mended as taste and
elegance dictate. There is money
enough, if it can be expended Judi
ciOusly in the right direction; not in
heaping up granite and marble when
ideas give out, not in buying bad
pictures or horrible statues. not in
paint and gliding where none is needed,
not in tessellated floors on common
corridors, not i'll stuccO and frescoing,
but in solid appliances for public com
fort. There is room for satire, but
more need of suggestion, on the part of
critics who wish well to the capital OF
the nation. Ridicule has been poured
out unstintingly and to excellent pur-
pOse but the day is approaching when
suggestions by competent minds will
be demanded and the authority of the
best judges will be sought. The un-
cOmely features are many, but they
are evident to observing eyes, and can
be altered at an hours warming. The
permanent Objects-buildings that can.
not be disturbed, streets that cannot be
Strengthened, squares that cannot be
diSplaced-are not numerous. Even &
fastidious taste finds little to be made
over again, though much to alter and
complete.
Washington is an interesting city
which naturally excites a good deal o
comment. There has been mulch talk
about it; sometimes in scOrn of its
claims, sometimes in disapprOVal of its
beauty. II is worth while to Judge il
fairly; remembering its history, bear
ing in mind its progress of late years
acknowledging the public spirit of its
citizens, and holding it to the highes
standard of attainment as the home o
the republican idea. Too much can
not be written on the subject of it!
possibilities or its future, provided it i
written wisely, with a sincere desir,
for its greatness and hearty sympathy
. with its ambition. The best skill is a
work on the problems of its materia
adOrnment; the most enlightened
minds are busy with its social position
the most active cOnsciences are en-
deavoring to put it abreast of large
cities in respect to humane effort anC
philanthrOpic achievement; and tn,
time is not very far off when it will b.
, rs distinguished for its character as i
is for its associations"