The Washington critic., 1886-07-06

Department Of .'rstjce.
Immediately north Of the Treasury Building
ana Just across the street is the Dcp1rt-
ment of Justice. This building was orlgln.
ally erected as the FrCcdmans Bank. The
square in which II IN erected Is n historic
one. on the same street, at the east corner
stands Riggs Bank, which was built for tho
accommodation of the Washuptnn branch
Of the old United states Hank. The greater
part Of IL Is now occupied 10y the clerks of
the Surgeon Generals OlicC. Around the
corner to the west is the Commis,ary.Go
erals Chlcc, formerly The old Washington
Club House I'm front Of which Philip Barton
Key was shot 10y Sicklcs. The tree, undcr
which the dead mans body lay, IS still
standing, although It's bark had been com
plctely removed by relic hunters. Al the
northwest corner of the square, above the
Cummissary Generals OilCc, is the house
dgye %SS9 S2@s d Syd S %6SyG MS N9m
lived and rcigned 80 long n social Queen
after her husbands term as President OK.
plrod.
The Washington Monument.
Immediately south Of the White House stands
the Washington Monument the loftlcst
structure erected by man, and the most i'm
posing obellsk ever constructed. II Is $50
feet above its base, which Is A. feet above
tdewatcr. Its cornerstone was laid July
4, 1913, and the cap-stone, forming the apex,
was placed In position December u, 1871 In
II are isl blocks Of Inserted stones or cop.
per, gifts from various countries and SO.
cictics. The total cost will be over $3.50
geo. lt 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
heth's Heights and Georgetown college,
stands the Naval Observatory. The hill on
which II stands Is famous for hallng been
1nst the camping ground of Washington, Brad.
march TO the fatal field, where the English
General fell q victim to his self.conceit and
vanity. Tradition also points out this hill
District Indians and the mysterious Susquc-
hannas. This observatory contains the
largest roiracting telescope In the world,
next TO the new equatorial lust built for the
Lick Observatory. by its aid that most in,
terestng, II not greatest, astronomical dis.
c0yery of the country was made the moons
oi Mars. The entrance to the observatory
IS at Z and Twenty third streets northwest
The Herdic cabs go to TwCntysecond and
g streets.
The Agricultural Department..
This building is situated east of the Monu-
ment. IL Is enclosed by the most beautiful
and glowing flower garden in the country
'nnd the grounds contain the most complete
Arboretum probably In the United States.
Attached to this Department are the Ex
detrimental Gardens, whose Offices are i'm
mediately west of the main building. The
Belt Line cars go right past the grounds.
The Smithsonian.
Across Twelfth street. Immediately cast from
the Agricultural Department, are the
Smithsonian Institution and the Smithso.
man Grounds. The former Is a specimen of
the most graceful architecture In the city,
and the latter form the most beautiful
landscape garden In the country. These
grounds of themselves are worth visit TO
Washington to see They contain the
memorial urn TO the artist who designed
the park, Andrew j. Downing, and the
bronze statue of Professor Henry, the first
ntn,t ts.NN th.. tN..ata ru.t l..
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. filled with the most
varied and interesting objects connected
with science. II Is reached by the Seventh
street, the Ninth Street and the Belt Line
OF street cars.
The National Museum.
The National Museum Is in the Smithsonian
grounds, q few yards east of the Smithso
nian building. IL contains thousands of the
most interesting curlositics, samples of the
life, customs and history of all nations. It,
as well as the Smithsonian is open daily to
the public from a. IN. to 4p. 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 Boz
tanical Gardens. These interesting grounds
are open daily from in the morning to
0 In the evening. They were established
30 years ago. The conservatores are filled
with the choicest and rarest foreign plants
Around the gardens are extensive collec.
tons of trees and shrubs. In the centre of
the lawn facing the centre conservatory Is
the famous Bartholdi Fountain that at
tracted so much attention at the Phladel-
phia Centennial.
The Pence Monument.
Inst half yyay nprogs the Aypnup from