The Washington critic., 1889-03-02


rebuilt In 1s30-d1, while the other parts were
commenced in 1855 and built of granite. The
Cash Room in this building is beau
tiful apartment in the north wing,
the entrance to which Is from the north
porch. The vaults are under the Cash Room
and can be seen on written permit given by
the Treasurer Of the United States, whose
office Is In the northeast angle on the first
floor. This permit must be shown the cashier
who will detail guides to take the visitor into
the great bullion chests of the country. The
old State Department used to be on the site oc-
cupied by the northeast corner Of the Treas.
ury.
War, Navy and State Department.
This edi6oe, once named by Washington
journalist tho "Triune Building" occupies
the west side Of the Presidents reservation.
Immediately west Of the white House. The
State Department occupies the south part,
while the War Department occupies the entire
northern half IL Is new and very handsome
structure. The most beautiful room In the
whole building is conceded to be the library
Of the State Department, with south front,
from whose windows the eye can sweep uu-
interruptedly down the Potomac to Mount
Vernon and far over the Virginia hills. The
building Is In italian Renaissance. II Is 5e7
feet long and 3f3 feet wide. It's greatest
height is 1913 feet, and the flag, floating over
tho central portion, naunts In tho breeze
higher up than any other flag In the city, not
excepting those above the Senate and House
Of Representatives. The cost OF the building
was FIVE millions of dollars, about three times
as much as the White House, and, we think,
as much as the Capitol.
Department of Justice.
Immediately north OF the Treasury building
and just across the street is the Department
Of Justice. This building was originally
erected as the Freedman's Bank. The square
in which II is erected is historic one. on
the same street, at tho east corner, stands
Riggs Bank, which was built for the accom-
dation Of the Washington branch of the
old United states Bank. The greater part
OF II IL now occupied by the clerks Of the
Surgeon Generals Office. Around the cor
ner TO the west is the Commissary- Cen
erals once, formerly the old Washington
Club House, in front OF which Philip Barton
Key was shot by sickels. The tree, under
which the dead mans body lay, is still stand.
ing, although its bark had been completely
removed by relic hunters. At the northwest
corner Of the square, above the Commissary-
Generals office, is the House made famous
by the ownership of Commodore Decatur,
where Dolly" Madison lived and reigned 80
long social Queen after her husbands term
as President expired.
The Washington Monument.
Immediately south of the white House
stands the Washington Monument, the lofti
est structure erected by man, and the most
imposing obelisk ever constructed. II is 555
feet above its base, which is 42 feet above
tide-water. Its cornerstone was laid July
A, 1913, and the capstone, forming the apex,
was placed In position December O, 1884, In
It are 1S1 blocks Of inserted stones or copper,
gifts from various countries and societies.
The total cost will be over 81, ,35O, 900. II Is
situated In what will ultimately be beauti.
full 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
beth's Heights and Georgetown College
stands the Naval Observatory. The hill on
which 1t stands is famous for having been
the camping ground Of Washington Brad
dock and the latter's army. when on their
march to the fatal field, where the English
General fell victim to his self-conceit and
vanity. Tradition also points out this hill as
the decisive battle-ground between the Dis
trict Indians and the mysterious Susque-
hannas. This observatory contains the largest
refracting telescope in the world, next to the
new equatorial just built for the Lick OBJ
servatory BY its aid that most interesting
" not greatest, astronomical discovery Of the
country was made, the moons Of Mars. The
entrance to the Observatory is at Z and
Twenty-tbird streets northwest. The Herdic
cabs go to Twenty-second and G streets.
III
This building is situated east of the Monu-
ment. II Is inclosed by the most beautiful
and glowing flower garden In the country,
and the grounds contain the most complete
Arboretum probably in the United States
Attached TO this Department are the Expert
mental Gardens. whose Offices are immedi-
ately west Of tho main building. The Belt
Line cars 60 right past the grounds.
The Smithsonian.
Across Twelfth street, Immediately east
from the Agricultural Department, are the
Smithsonian Institution and the Smithsonian
Grounds. The former is specimen of the
most graceful architecture in tho 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 10
nnn,nn wa "aV ,ho uo1snvu nan 'no pam naurew ..
mDs 1onr ~ au a... "o DoaHo sss'uo % y, rlole1sof
Tha ,.,tar e - ~, y =. .no nsnsus'vn. ~ ~.
hnUd;na, % n nv .uU nTsu"oss Jrs ~ ~ Vv,nos y. sno
ths ornnnds txso hnndsnd ra.ds - a. tno ,h
east wing Tho smitbsoniar 90 a a,ied With ths
most varied and interesting objects connected
with science. II is reached by the Seventh
Street, the Ninth Street and the Bolt 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 curiositics, SAMPLES of the