Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-04-02

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Sunday morning broke clear and
warm. So sudden was the change |
rom the shawls and furs of the |
Fall River snow storm TO this spring |
and no wraps, that the
usual number of colds appeared |
morning. The choice of
churches was the result of various
tastes. The presidents church called
many in the vain hope of seeing
that parsonage. Others were at
tracted by the most fashionable
st Johns. DR.. Newman
preached to a crowded house in the
Metropolitan. The colored churches
were well attended afternoon and
evening.
With Monday began systematic
sightseeing, and in that and the fol-
lowing days we found that while
five days would give us only a
glimpse of Washington, more trav-
cling at that rate would be quite
disastrous to our bodies. One day
was devoted to Mr.. Vernon. The
ride down the Potomac was thor
oughly enjoyable in spite of high
winds and sun-burned faces. The
muddy waters of the river, AlcXan-
dria on the south bank, the hills Of
Maryland and Virginia, Washing
ton in the distance with the ever
looming monument and dome, all
made an ineffaceable picture. The
Mt. Vernon mansion was eagerly
sought, and its small, antiquefurn-
lshcd rooms called forth expressions
grave and gay. The old-time "scr-
wants quarters were inspected
with their broad fire places, in
whose chimney corner we stood and
pictured little negroes clustering
about the burning logs. Outside,
the trees and shadows, the hills with
fine views of the Potomac were
places for books and dreaming-not
for noisy crowds. This trip hGd
been made by the entire party, but
here the mass-ing" cnded-all
other sallies being made singly or in
small parties according to individ-
ual tastes. Letters of introduction
are especially potent for the inner
sightseeing. As a result of such
note we had the benefit Of a special
invitation to visit the National Oh
servatory by evening light, and were
most gallantly shown to the three
great telescopes, one of them the
largest in the United States. Not
withstanding the fleeing clouds, we
gazed at Mars, the rings of Saturn,
Jupiter and its three moons; before
our eyes Sirius resolved its single
light into three distinct stars; in
deed the heavens seemed opened to
us, and a new inspiration came with
the night.
1t was the work of one morning
to walk TO the base Of that great
obelisk which reaches far upwards
over 500 feet into the air; thence to
the Smithsonian Institute and Ma
tional Museum, far too vast in theil
collection to receive more than a
passing glance; to the Bureau Of
Engraving, Treasury, and State De
partments, where doors swung back
as by magic before a bit of card
board, fortunately possessed, and We
stood before the printing of bank
notes, the massive vaults where was
stored the treasures of the nation
the piles and bags Of gold, the great
libraries, the foreign embassy recep
ton rooms, the heights and depths
even to the engines which run the
vast ventilating machinery of tho
Capitol. At the Capitol we were
especially favored. There we heard
Reed, of Maine, bring quiet out Of
dire confusion on points of order
Logan shook his black locks over
the Indian problem and gave voice
to strong, will-full words. Gray, Of
Delaware, and Hoar tilted swords
on the "official papers" question, in
which the Democratic Senator was
decidedly worsted. Edmunds rose
twice and in calm, decisive words
cut the Gordian knot, while Morrill,
paced to and fro in statcIiness, con
tent for the time to let his face speak
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