The Washington critic., 1886-07-13
THE VISITORS GUIDE.
0ljccts Ct lDttrtot in and About the
National Capital,
TIE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
Parks, Squares. statues, Gardens and
Other Points of Attraction.
THE WAY TO REACH THEM.

Washington i9 fast becoming the
most attractive city of the country. AS
the Capital of the Nation it presents
more objects of interest TO the visitor
than any other on the continent, and u
brief directory Of its prominent points
will be of service to the vast number Of
persons who annually resort to the po-
litical metropolis. For 1t Is estimated
that over three hundred thousand
strangers pay visit every year to this
city TO behold the varied objects of in
terest which so thickly stud the his
toric "Tcn Miles Square" :"
The system OF Numbering Houses.
Numbers are displayed over the entrances TO
all houses and the decimal system. as
adopted in Philadelphia, is used-one hun
dred numbers being allotted to each square
or blook-commcncng at First street west
running west, First street east, running
cast, A street north, running north and A
street south, running south. The, odd mum
ing from the Capitol and the even numbers
ON the left-hand sides The city is divided
into four quarters or sections northeast and
northwest, southeast and southwest, the
streets being designated accordingly; those
running north and south numerically, and
those running east and west by the letters
of the alphabet, the dividing lines being
North and South Capitol Streets running
on a line due north aud south from the Cap.
itol and East Capitol street, and acontinua-
tion on the same west OF the Capitol, run
ming due east and west
The Capitol.
This great building is the central point of the
original District, and Is the largest edltlce
in the country. It's centre marks the Me-
riHinn az Wnglfnnfnn nha rniI1lp N
Immediately under the dome, Is the part
first built. It was partially destroyed by the
British In 1871, but was completely restored
by 1897. II incloses the "crypt"-where the
remains of Washington were intended to be
placed, the Library, the Rotunda, the old
Representatives Hall, now the Gallery of
statuary, and the old Senate Chamber, now
the Supreme Courtroom, The old Supreme
Courtroom, in the first story, Is now occu-
pied by the Law Branch of the Library.
The cornerstone of the Capitol extension
1851, Daniel Webster delivering the oration
of the occasion from the balcony of the
Library. The south wing contains the
House, Of Representatives, and the north
wing the Senate Chamber The rotunda is dis
tinguishcd for its historic paintings, for the
famous bronze doors, with their alto
reliefs, and for Brumidi's frescoings In the
Hall Of Statuary are the natural pictures in
Potomac marble, representing faces of Ger
tain American statesmen-a picturesque
freak Of nature. From the little rotunda
immediately north OF the great rOtunda, the
staircase to the top of the dome begins IT,
winding way. From the top of the dome, OF
as far as the visitor can ascend, the view
of the surrounding country Is magnificent
| The Capitol grounds. which formerly were
| homely and formal in appearance, have
| been transformed into beautiful
| park and are now most exqulsitely beauti
| iul The east base of the Capitol Is S0l.
| feet above ordinary low tide In the Potomac
| The total height from east base to the tor
| of the temple covering the dome Is 2SS feet
| the statue of the Goddess of Liberty, 191.
| feet, making the total height to the crest o
| the statue 30119 feet This crest Is 800 feet
| higher than the west gate of the grounds
| and 397 feet above low tide in the Potomac
or 24s feet lower than the apex of the Wash
ington Monument, which Is Immediately
| west. The building Is 75i feet long by 32
| wide, and covers 81 acres. 1t is the fines
and largest public building In the world
| and in many respects the costllest ant
| handsomest. 1t Is moreover the growth o
| less than century-a fact which adds I,
| its beauty and interest The original Capt.
| iol, or centre building, is an imitation
| though not slayish one, of the Masoi
| Carree at Nsmes. The view from the Yves
| portico at night, when the lamps are lit IL
| the public grounds and the lights of the cit
illuminate the darkness Is one OF tho mos
| beautiful and picturesque In the world and
| is well worth Il journey of II thousand mile
to see.
The White House.