The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-05-10
Special &c the CARBON ADVOCATE.
WASHINGTON, May 8. 1884.

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One OF the surest signs tnat Washington
is beginning to have attractions for people
who wish to make it permanent place o
residence the year round, and who are moi
compelled to be here by reason of holding
office, is that an unusual number OF fine
paintings and works ofart are to be seer
this season 10 many houses. These work:
of art used 10 be left at home, as a rule, by
their owners, and in former years il wa.
something Of a rarity to see a good picture
or a fine piece Of statusry in the house ot
your host. Now it isn't an unusual thing
to see Fortunity, Madrazo, a Trayon, a
Ziem, Diaz, or others of the same class
hanging on the walls of the houses which
are not merely rented for the season, but
owned by their occupants end left only dur
ing the not Summer months. A disposition
is also shown of late in building houses
here to return to simple forms and to
abandon the 80 called Queen Anne style of
architecture without in the least sacrificing
originality or having recourse as formerly
to the monotonous rows of brownstone
fronts with their clumsy flights of steps
and and still clumsier iron ratings. In
the pretty northwest portion of the town,
built all within the last FIVE or six wears.
several houses haye gone up of late very
simple in their outlines, but bearing upon
them certain stamp of comfort which
makes them attractive without looking
"bizarre."
One house, which few people pass with.
out staring at it, stands on Connecticut
Ave-, and is owned and occupied by Sena
tor Miller, of California. 1t looks as II
somebody had started right there on tour
tn "paint the town red" Imagine the
most fiery hue, bright vermilion, cover
ing the entire house, root, stills, balcony,
portico, everything with the sun shining
upon il for the greater part of the dav, re-
lleyed by nothing except the shutters.
which are OF bright green color, and you
haye only faint idea OF the sensation
which this bit Of outdoor decoration pro
duces in the behOlder. 1t looks almost like
the palace Of the evil one in the fairy tale
or IN the pantomime. But how appear
ances deceive. The occupant is one OF the
most mild hammered, gentle aud retiring Of
men.
For the last week or two notice work
men have again been busy at the top OF the
Washington Monument, making prepara-
tions for laying stone. which is to begin on
Monday. At the rate of progress made last
year the shaft will be completed by De.
cember 1885. 1t will then have reached
height of sos feet.
What place for the American eagle to
roost onl Eighty seven feet higher than the
splre Of the Cathedral at Strasburg; ioIty-
four feet added to the towers of the Cathed-
raj at Cologne; st. Peters, at Rome "seen :"
and lO7 feet "gone better" while that mis-
cradle little pretension of a Milan Cathed
raj, with its 1855 feet IRON the pavement to
the TOP OF the Madonna's head, is absolute
ly nowhere IN this race toward the sky.
Cheops and King Shaira, sainted mummies,
at one time resting underneath their clum-
sy old pyramids, would, il they had not
been rudely disturbed by some one Of the
Maspero tribe, burst their bundages with
envy and turn in their graves with disgust
at the thought that barbarians in a distant
land built higher than they did.
The past week was one of surprises aud
changes at the Treasury. The resignation
OF Chiel Clerk Webster, doubtless caused by
desire to enter into private business, and
supennduced by disappointment and dis.
satisfaction, its immediate acceptance aud
the appointment ofMr. Theodore F. swayze
To succeed Webster; the promotion of Mr..
Van Renselear 10 succeed Mr.. Swavze.
The promotion of Mr.. Constant s. Treyitt
TO be chief Of the appointment division TO
succeed MI Butler, resigned, and Of Mr..
David kellett to succeed Mr.. Treviti; the
resignation Of Mr.. Knox aud the declina-
ton Of Mr.. Burrows, have been among the
events Of q single week in single depart