The Washington critic., 1886-06-19
THE VISITORS GUIDE.
Objects of Interest in and About the
National Capital.
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
Parks, Squares, Statues. Gardens and
other Points OF Attraction.
THE WAY TO REACH THEM.

Washington is 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
brief directory of its prominent points
will be of service to the vast number of
persons who annually resort to the po-
liiical 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 "Ten Miles Square" or these
objects the most conspicuous are of
course the Government buildings.
Chief among those Is, first
The Capitol.
This great building Is the central point Of the
original District, and is the largest cdihce
In the country; Its centre marks the Me-
Immediately under the dome, is tho part
first built. II was partially destroyed by the
British in 1914, but was completely restored
by 1877 IL 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
Court room, IN the first story. Is now occu-
pied by the Law Branch of the Library.
The cornerstone Of the Capitol extension
the north and south wings-was laid July 4,
1851, Daniel Webster delivering the grafton
of the occasion from the balcony of the
Library. The south wing conteins the
House of Representatives, and the north
wing the Senate Chamber. The rotunda Is dis
tinguishcd for its historic paintings. for tho
% reliefs. and for Brumidi's frescoings In the
Hall Of Statuary are the natural pictures In
Potomac marble, representing faces of Ger.
tain American AZ s1stesmsna en- picturesque
Immediately north of the great rotunda, the
staircase to the top of the dome begins its
winding way From tho top of the dome, or
as far far as the visitor can ascend, the view
The Capitol grounds, which formerly were
homely and formal In appearance, have
been transformed into a beautiful
ful. The east base Of the Capitol is s9J6
feet above ordinary low tide In the Potomac
The total height from east base to the top
Of the temple covering the dome is ass feet
the statue OF the Goddess of Liberty, 1914
feet, making the total height to the crest Of
the statue 807l6 feet. This crest is 800 feet
higher than the west gate Of the grounds,
or 24s feet lower than the apex OF the Wash
ington Monument, which Is Immediately
west. The building Is 751 feet long by 324
wide, and covers 3k acres. IL is the finest
and largest public building In the world,
and In many respects the costliest and
handsomest. 1t Is moreover the growth of
less than q century-a fact which adds to
its beauty and interest. The original Capt.
iol, or centre building, is an imitation.
though not slavish one, of the Maison
Carree at Nismes. The view from the west
portico at night, when the lamps are lit In
the public grounds and the lights of the city
illuminate the darkness Is one Of the most
beautiful and picturesque In the world and
is well worth o journey Of q thousand miles
In