Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-01-05
Correspondence of the Beacon.)
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 2, ISIS


Messrs Editor.-WashingtOn society
is just getting ready to begin round
Of receptions and parties which will
sustain its reputation Of being the
social center of the land. The death
of ex-Secrstary Of the Treasury Man
ming, has had the effect Of causing a
temporary cessation OF social gather
ings in official circles, but the grand
reception at the White House wac
held on Monday as planned, and
formally opened the social season.
After that, the President and Mrs.
Cleveland will hold afternoon or even
ing receptions each week throughout
the season. Social etiquette allows
the President to hold the first recep-
ton of the season, and after that, the
members of the Cabinet and Foreign
Ministers vie with each other in giving
grand parties. 1t is generally conceded
that the most successful in this line
are Secretary and Mrs. Whitney who
give sometimes two a week, and fire.
quently pay three or four thousand
dollars month for floral decorations.
Washington has two citizens Of
whom it may we'll be proud; both
have attained world wide fame, the
one for his wise and generous dona.
tons for charitable purposes, and the
other as a man Of letters, and both
live near together on the same street.
/ refer to Mr.. w. w. Corcoran, who,
last Wednesday, celebrated his nine
tieth birthday at his home within
mile of the place at which he was
born, and George Bancroft, his junior
by less than three years.
A great many people who visit this
city spend their time at the Capitol or
other government buildings, and 60
away without seeing some OF the
greatest curiosities. In one of the
museums are two bullets which met
in the air. They are fastened to-
gether and almost shapeless, but still
it is possible to tell from their appear
ance which was fired from q Confed-
crate and which from a Union rifle.
In one Of the rooms of the Treasury
il twenty dollar bill executed with
pen and ink. It was so well done
that it circulated as regular bill
until almost worn out before it was
discovered TO be counterfeit. The
person in charge says that the man
who made the bill has been engaged
in the work for eight years, and is
still at large. II is estimated that
with his skill, should he devote q like
amount of labor to some legitimate
work. he could earn at least q thous-
and dollars, but he appears to prefer
running the risk of receiving long
term in prison, just for the pleasure
Of deceiving the people. There is
another man confined in an insane
asylum near the city who shows al
most as much skill in the same direc-
ton, but the bills he makes are unlike
any ever made by the Government.
On one side he has two large locomo-
tives with the Capitol between them,
and on the other a portrait. probably
Of some member Of his family. The
details are carefully worked out, but,
of course. such q bill would deceive
no one. When be has completed q
bill he hands it over to his physician
to be passed. as be thinks him to be
an accomplice.
1t is quite probable that there will
soon be geological garden in this
city, to be supported by the Govern
ment. A low building has been ersct-
Ell Just back OF the Smithsonian, and
the few animals collected by Mr..
Hornaday, the naturalist, on his
recent trips through the west in search