The Washington critic., 1886-06-03
The Washington Monument.

.
pired.
The Washington Monument.
Immediately south Of the White House stands
the Washington Monument, the loftiest
structure erected by man, and the most i'm
posing obelisk ever constructed; IL Is 555
feet above its base, which Is ~ feet above
tide-water. Its corner stone was laid July
4, 1913. and the cap-stone, forming the apex,
was placed In position December O, 1891. In
II are 1sl blocks Of inserted stones or cop
per, gifts from various countries and SO
cieties. The total cost will be over 1880 .
600. IL Is situated In what will ultimately
be beautiful park.
The Naval Observatory.
To the West Of the Washington Monument,
on the highest elevation that borders the
north bank Of the river, between st. Eliza
teth's Heights and Georgetown College,
stands the Naval Observatory. The hill on
which II stands Is famous for having been
the camping ground of Washington, Brad
dock, and the latter's army, when on their
march to the fatal field, where the English
General fell o victim to his self.conceit and
vanity. Tradition also points out this hill
as the decisive battle ground between the
District lndians and the mysterious susquc.
hannas. This observatory contains the
largest rcfracting telescope In the world
next to the new equatorial Just built for the
Lick Observatory. BY its aid that most in
tcresting, u not greatest, astronomical dis
covcry of the country was made. the moons
of Mars. The entrance to the observatory
Is at Il and Twenty third streets northwest
The lierdic cabs go to Twenty.second and
q streets.
The Agricultural Department..
This building Is situated east of the Monu-
ment. II is enclosed by the most beautiful
and glowing flower garden In the country
and the grounds contain the most complete
Arboretum probably In the United States.
Attached to this Department are the Ex-
pcrimental Gardens. whose offices are i'm
tn al of IL. I,,.
Belt Line cars go right past the grounds.
The Smithsonian.
Across Twelfth street, Immediately east from
the Agricultural Department, are the
Smithsonian Institution and the Smlthso-
nian Grounds The former is a specimen of
the most graceful architecture In the city.
landscape. garden In the country. These
grounds of themselves are worth a visit to
Washington to see. They contain the
the park, Andrew ]. Downing and the
bronze statue of Professor Henry. the first
secretary Of the institution. The latter Is
at the northwest corner of the building; the
Downing Urn is In the centre of the grounds,
two hundred yards north of the east wing.
The Smithsonian is filed with the most
varied and interesting objects connected
with science. II Is reached by the Seventh
Of street cars.
The National Museum is In the Smithsonian
grounds, q few yards east OF the Smithso-
nian building. IL contains thousands of the
most interesting curiosties. samples of the
life, customs and history of all nations, It,
the public from a. m. to p. m.
The Botanical Gardens.
Passing eastward from the Museum, over
the railroad bridge that spans Sixth street
and through the pretty park lying between
Maine and Missouri avenues the visitor
comes to the entrance on Third street, just
south OF Pennsylvania avenue, of the Bo
tanical Gardens. These interesting grounds
are open daily from In the morning to
Q In the evening They were established
with the choicest and rarest foreign plants
Around the gardens are extensive collec
tions of trees and shrubs. In the centre OF
the lawn facing the centre conservatory Il
the famous Bartholdi Fountain that at
tracted SO much attention at the Philadel
phia Centennial.
The Peace Monument.
Just half way across the Avenue from the
northeast angle of the Botanical Garden
And at the west foot Of the Capitol Ground,
is the Peace Monument. This was de
signed by Admiral Porter In honor OF Tho
dead soldiers and sailors of the late war
II Is Of marble and cost, with pedestral and
platform $41 GOO. 1t Is proposed to remove
this monument to one Of the squares on tn,
northwest section.
Retracing our steps we find
The Printing and Engraving Bureau
The great money mill Of the Government Il
located at the corner OF Fourteenth and
street southwest, southeast from the Monu
ment and southwest from the Agriculture
Bureau. 1t Is reached by the Belt Lin,
Cars, and is opened to visitors every day.
Davy Burns Cottage.
One Of the curiosties of Washington is ole
Davy Burns Cottage, on Seventeenth street
near the river. 1t may be reached by til,
drive south of the Presidents House or b,
the Metropolitan or Avenue line of cars
Next door to II is General Van Ness ono,
stately mansion, where he brought hi
bride, Marcia Burns, one Of the origina
heircsses of Washington.
COrcOran Art Gallery.
The Corcoran. Art Gallery Is at the corner o
Pennsylvania avenue and Soventeent
street, opposite the War, Navy and stat
Department. 1t Is open Tuesdays, Thurs
days and saturdays free; on other days lex
cept Sundays a small admission fee
charged This gallery, although not to b
leries, is nevertheless a very creditabe In
stitution for so new q country as the Unite
States. II contains among other orgina
| objects Powers great statue of the "Grce
Slave"
| The Louise Home.
| The Louise Home Is beautiful building q
the corner of Massachusetts, avenue an
| Fifteenth street, near Scott Circle IL ha
extensive grounds, beautifully embellishct
| and is unique establishment. II IL
memorial to the wife and daughter Of NJ
| W. W. Corcoran. and IL intended as HON
for ladies of education, birth and rein,
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