The Meeker herald., 1886-09-04
TME NATIONAL CAPITAL.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

Itbm out Nrtuiaf NofFNsIIvssruk.
WAsHiSGroS. ID. q. Aug. -. 1880.
The climate OF this city is much like
politics-very uncertain. For few
days the Thermometer will range to
point which gently reminds us OF the
''hot by and by" and then without con-
sulting any one, will present the ''cold
shoulder" often contrary to the Predic-
tions Of our prophet, probabilities"
The only relief to the people who are
Obliged to remain here during tho hot
weather, is the country which surrounds
the city. and the Potomac river. The
poorer class of humanity remain IN
town periorcs. and suffer II out; hut
many government clerks and others
boari In the country, where they 20.
after the days work II ovei, returning
In the morning by train.
A great many people who have here
toforo spcnt their summers 1t fashion,
able resorta 1t y distance, now content
themselves with pleasures nearer home,
and, in,leed, there are many delightful
places on the river where one can pass
the warm summer days amidst leau,i-
iul scenery. with plenty OF fresh mir
from the water, which. together, make
these rcsnrts ~ pleasant as the sea-
shore. where mis- and madam get their
faces tanned q ~ many dollars day.
Tho potomac river Is u source of
failing delight % all those who
are fond Of boating; and there are many
things less pleasant than floating down
the river. with tho vcr,lant hills Of
Virginia on one side, and on the other
the quaint old city Of Georgetown. with
iH nArruw streets and old-fashioned
buikinga. II II lnorr than pleasant In
the evening. when tho sun Is low and
soft brcczes. laden with the o,ior Of
flowers. ripple the water, and then. II
there ~ fair one holding the tiller-
ropes. facing the rover, m.thinks n
faircr sccrs must In In dreams.
0oSg yisiiiS0.
The standard Office seeker looks from
his shady s-at In Lafayette Park across
the avenue whrrp stands tho mansion
Of thr truly best, and sp~culairs. as
usual. On his chances Of of:'sct,inR In;
but the White House does not wear the
ASPECT Of chrerfulncss that the crowd
ing masses len; 10 IL when society. with
silks and lacrs. painted fnccs. strug-
gir,i for the higher places" The Prcsi-
dent has gone TO the mountains In
search of fresh air. iish and deer: but.
"when the leaves begin To turn" the
dream Of aiIlucncc which now drifts
through the irowsy mind ii the half
asleep seeker" In the park. will bc
broken by the noise Of the busy throng
who arc dying To hear n Presidential
fish story. Grover will h. back, and the
walls of the old mansion will REX. as
heretofore, with the guinness of roliii-
cal iaiYy.
riiE Sgw MUSEUM.
Las, year Congress- appropriated
$4,000 for the construction Of build
ing. now being erected. 30 contain the
record. library. and museum Of the
medical department Of the army. II
will occupy the space In the southeast
crn corner Of the Smithsonian grounds.
and will balance the other two
buildings located in the park. The
main front OF the museum will I've on u
street south. extending 80 feet. having
u corresponding depth. II will bc sew
cral stories high. and. when finished.
will present quite an attractive appear
ancc. The building now occupied by
the Medical Museum WAS once ford's
Opera House. and Is closely associated
with the history OF this country, for
here the terrible tragedy. whose princi-
pal act WIS The death Of Prcsiden; Lin
coin. took place. There is little Of the
appearance of the appearance of the
thcatcr there now. Skeletons Of men
who have played their part In lifes
drama and anatomical specimens OF all
kinds meet the eye on all sides. Human
physique, perfect in all its proportions.
is here. and distorted nature has its
home where once the careless. happy
throng saw the festive ballet wbirl. and
appla,,,l-,i the wit and wisdom Of the
his,oronic art. The library OF the
museum III isss cpht'uheu less tnah I'VE
thousand volumes; IL now has eighty
thousand. and is said to lie the largest
strictly medical library IL, the world.
THE STREETS or WASHINGTON.
Washington can well he called the
"city OF magnificent distances. The
-'ision can travel for miles over smooth
asphalt pavements. lined on either side
with trees whose uerdant foliage
soothes the eye and breaks the mon
otony that attends long stretch Of un-
adorned sidewalk. Often the stranger
in his rambles Is charmed by catching
n glimpse down long drawn aisle"
Of waving verdurc. OF sun-lit water
where the river glidcs in the dim dis.
tance Mt the foot of the street.