The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-04-26
BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
a,ho surroundings of the Ma
tional Capital.
PICTURE OF WASHINGTON
,orks. Gardens, Public Buildings
u Roads, By-paths and Street
Echoes.
WASHINGTON. April 10, 1895

WASHINGTON, April IL, 1880
jurisprudence of THE HERALD
Washington is beautiful city. There
mn less than forty parks in it. They
al well kept and so distributed as tC
h.of the greatest possible advantage
nd comfort. The well-kept and gravel
II walks, the grass, the shrubs and
,,oos the rustic seats, near homes in the
hoart of business centres, give novelty
md beauty to the National Capital that
;-s.iJ to be without parallel in ou1
,ountrv. 1t makes no particular differ.
once which way you turn; stroll in any
ERECTION for few squares, and one OF
these lovely parks-the lungs of great
commercial marks, as they are called
viIl confront you. So admirably ar
ranged are these parks that it would
,eouire great skill and ingenuity to walk
for any length of time and avoid these
charmed spots, and 1 question whether
snrotracted walk and an avoidance of
the parks is not practical impossibility
assuming, of course, one does not
keen covering over and over again the
zane ground. Not the least attractive
or | should say. perhaps. the most
attractive-are those about the Capitol.
These grounds have been materially
improved by expensive additions and
viii look still more beautiful when the
plans, not only relating to the Capitol
building itself, but to the grounds, are
carried into effect. For a distance of
two squares east of the Capitolf for a
great distance down to the Potomac
River is one unbroken park, save where
the Baltimore and Ohio depot is located,
in which are situated the botanical
gardens, the National Museum, the
Smithsonian Institute, the Agricultural
Department, the Bureau OF Printing
and Engraving, the Washington Monu-
ment, etc. In these gardens and parks
all Speries of trees and shrubs which
will grow in this climate have been
planted; while during the summer
tine profusion of the most gorgeous
flowers in season is spread out in ex-
tensiye beds which meet the eye on all
sides The qualification and delight
which the fleeing fragrance of the
fragile flower furnish cannot be described
inwOrds. The effect is materially height
ened by the existence of many clean
and shapely fountains, throwing their
sprays in all directions and which,
While lending that indefinable charm
promoted only by water-so peculiar,
SO vague and yet so clearly to be ap-
preciated-also invite a sense ofrest that
j, ever grateful to the weary and the
care-worn. Under the old trees partial
~ covered with moss, whose tender
foliage shields the heat-oppressed form,
aprOfuSion of moss, with its uncertain
tints Of green and brown and yellow,
with dark brown earth still beneath the
moss, there is an ever increasing charm.
Asi il, also, to impart a sense of nobility,
strength and the heroic fortitude of the
soldier and tatesman-while inspiring
cOmmingling of tender thoughts and
noble aspirations such as trees, green
lawns, fountains, messy knobs, and
undulating acres of green alone can
prOmOte-there are in many of the
parks bronze and marble statues and
monuments, the subjects being nation
al historic characters whose heroic and
yalorous deeds on land or sea, or whose
contributions to national honor and
prosperity, through peaceful arts, have
made their memories dear to the people
Of country noted for its gratitude to
those who have served it well. The
spirit of such Surroundings-or the
public sentiment such surroundings
ought to inspire-should, ore would
naturally imagine, have a powerful ia
1uence on the whole nation, no matter
now wide its boundaries, how different
the peculiar characteristics of its in
aaoltantS, nor how diversified its tastes,
us desires, its aspirations. To one who
loves nature, whether improved by the
articles of mankind, or wild, gentle,
rugged or sloping in her primeval state,
suen surroundings can awaken only
tender thoughts, noble ambitions, in
SpLfed aspirations, in all of which glow
ing desires for the greatness of ones
usVlYe land will mingle with the hopes
u self and cause the blood to thrill
WIN an unconquerable longing to be at
S;ofA' to be treading toward the grand
am In life-happiness in peace, with
plenty and joy for all. The effect, how
ever, seems to be very different. In
!act, It is a serious question if there is
any effect at all. 1t is probably true
aaI vice, however hideous, in the
coqrSe Of protracted contact can not
o my be tolerated but is actually sought
HHI'er and embraced. 1t seems an equal.
amentable truth that the continual
meSence of tt ;ngs and the existence OF
oonGI.ltlons ana surroundings which, ac-
SSoorrui.ng to common acceptation and
oeud among those presumed to be
SUU:Apetent Judges, are calculated to in
iiVue 70 noble thoughts and prompt to
5 o.s and heroic deeds, asst cease to ex-
sInSe their proper influence and beget
u,;;teIthhargy worse than ignorance. Not
Outstanding the elevating and inspir.
s1 S nature of the surroundings there is
~ much crime, groveling tendencies
mo sIgat absence of virtue and as little
s rvaai lntegrity-less, one might pre-
Ssm s in any other city of the
Of me ", Population in the vast territory
P Siilch 1t Is the governmental centre.
Cum the east end of the Capitol
WSS WIN Is west, to a point opposite the
en- "iSe House south, there is an unbrok
sbrrISsr stretch of lawn filed with trees
fonut1Ss!! flowers, moss, grassy knobs
bvuesnIhS, serpentine roads and pleasant
With @ths. never cover this stretch
ken NY eyes. never let the charmed
mNv iieach beyond to take in the slowly
gaza n and sluggish Potomac; never
Strato Tu the city from point where /
nevo. les out from beneath my feet
Ever think 0f a. 4Lo,,.o,d ovoDues