Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-18

Kate Field Says 1T Is to be the Center OF
Art. Society, Literature, Fashion and
all Intellectual Activities.

Kate Field Says IL Is to be the Center OF
Art. Society, Literature, Fashion and
all Intellectual Activities.
1t is dangerous in this age Of transition to
come to conclusions about anything, particu-
larly in the United States, where geography, as
well as humanity, seems to undergo revolution
every seven years. Nevertheless, even with the
awful example of Joseph Smith staring me in
the face, dare to prophecy that within ten
years Washington will be the social and intel
lectual, well as the political capital of this
public. 1t ought to be so. If government be
the grandest of all sciences, the greater should
include the less, and the best of art of society
should be attracted as naturally to the nations
legislature as steel filings are attracted to a
magnet 1t is manifest destiny. Look at Eu-
rope to-day. London, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Ber-
lin Madrid, st. Petersburg are the social, scien-
tfic, artistic, no less than the political foci of
their respective countries. Time was when Ed
inborough asserted an intellectual supremacy
over London, but the inevitable exodus of
brains to the center of the kingdom now causes
the beautiful Scottish capital to live upon past
glory. Florence, Naples, Milan, Venice, once
all powerful when Italy was cut up into petty
ished heads now that a national parliament
and King govern the entire peninsula from the
Rome of the Caesars. In Europe commerce
gravitates as naturally to the capital as do so
ciety, arts and science. A like result would be
seen in this country did not the United States
embrace the best part Of great continent:
When nation extends 5000 miles from east
TO west, and 500 miles from north to south,
no one town can usurp commerce, though one
despo Uf r Gefaa rsht Ge cas fhis
power, but New York in the future will be but
one of the many business marts. When the
wonderful southwest teens with humanity,
when Mexico resumes the sway she once pos
sessed, when South America looks to North
America for aid and comfort, when Cuba breaks
~ N ASi
awakes from its centuries of sleep, and Europe
no longer dictates to the world, Gotham and
ouence to the republic than New Orleans and
the gulf of Mexico are to-day.
In the ratio that commerce is diffused, gov
eminent will be centralized, and with 1t all
that makes lite beautiful and interesting OF
course, no one will be rash enough to assert
that Washington must ever remain the national
lie buildings and improvements, and since an
initiation of space by modern invention and
discovery makes neighbors of all parts of the
country, a change is not probable. Therefore,
as years go on, Americans will look to Wash
ington as the Mecca OF thought in all phases.
The bigger the republic grows the more nee
essary VIII rallying point. became North, south,
east and west will meet on common ground.
Sectional egotism will disappear in the full
Europe is considered necessary to a liberal ed
ucation, so,in q not distant tomorrow, q sojOurn
in Washington will be regarded as necessary to
all who would have a thorough knowledge of
this republic Think of the transformation
that Washington has undergone since the war!
town in this eounry So clean aSd S SMOOTH are
its streets that pedestrians walk on their asph-
alt in preference to the brick stone sidewalks,
consequence. and the lovers of driving and rid
ing heave sigh Of relief at the absence. of the
noise, holes and cobblestones peculiar to our
great towns, hideOus facts that make exercise
on wheels or in the saddle an agony instead of
a pleasure. Admirable private dwellings line
the west end of the capital; still better houses
q al IN no ,ril 1ocf haU 70 1rDl-
as though the student, the artist, the states
man, the retired trader, the man and woman of
where escape from the din Of money grabbing is
possible, where culture can shake hands with
genius in all forms, where merit, not money or
grandfathers, is the entree to society, where per-
sons of leisure may hobnob with other persons
of leisure and not be regarded as public NUS
ances, and where the stock market is not the
escape from themselves and cultivate repOse it
is ourselves. If ever this repose is acquired it
will be in Washington. So convinced have
some Americans become Of these probabilities
as to have metamOrphosed the national capital.
People of fortune are making 1t their home, in
order to enjoy life under the most favorable cir
cumstances. For similar reasons people OfmOd-
crate and settled incomes are lured there
also. Comparative poverty Is no badge OF dis
government for moderate salaries, where re-
tired army and navy officers rank above the
wealthiest of nouveaux riches while living
a transpfanted Phfiadelphian, you can enter.
tain ali your friends here for Sl.75. 1t isn't
what you give to eat, but whom you bring to
to introduce extravagant ways of entertaining,
but they only get talked about in no compli-
pentary strain The majority Of US won't e 9
be made as easy, charming and inexpensive as
in European capitals" Amen.
the shadow Of the White House, are that no
where on this side of the Atlantic can so many
interesting people be found as in Washington.
the country, men and women who have done
or are doing something, who have ideas, who
represent some iiviving issue; You meet the
legislators of the nation, and while they are
not as clever as they ought to be In many in
stances, still they are worth studying as signs
of the times. Some of them possess undoubted
capacity. In the Supreme Court may be found
great legal lights. The ablest representative
of the army and navy may be found without
the Smithsonian Institute. Though the e's art la
displayed ON Capitol HILL and for which the
nation has paid dearly, is as bad as bad can be-
will eventually seek studios in Washington.
The highest culture makes the best atmosphere
for art Of every kind. When honored and ven-
ingtOn, he became the avant garde of his guild.
Authors are looking more and more toward
the national capital as permanent abid-
nected with the civil service, the
Smithsonian institute and the Congressional
library Col: John Hay Is building fine house;
More than one novelist has set up lares and
penates in the town that not long ago was made
up of boarding houses. Retired actors appre-
ciate repOse wherein there is no possibility Of
stagnation, and Mrs. Gen. Lander leads where
Lawrence Barrett will probably follow. Not
the least attraction of Washington Is its eli
mate. Though by no means perfect, its spring
is earlier and autumn later than in northern
cities, hence outdoor life and sports have longer
reign, while the neighboring country is both
historical and beautiful. The Potomac opens a
charming passage to the sea, and Fort Monroe
is an inviting resort during all seasons of the
year. 1t should not be forgotten that Washing
toms market rivals that OF Baltimore, which is
the best in the country. One never would know
1t, judging by hotels and boarding houses, but
it is a fact that housekeepers readily prove
Meats are cheaper than in New York. Fish
comes straight from the sea. Canyas-back
ducks, terrapin, soft-shell crabs, are natives Of
the Potomac, and every conceivable vegetable
thrives. Fruits abound: Comparatively low
rents, good markets, good climate-as climates
go-good roads, good library, good company
What other American town can show as good q
record?
Every One Should Walk.
HINTS ON THE GAIT, THE DRESS AND OTHER
MATTERS.