The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-04-18
CORRESPONDENCE.
"On the WIng''-Our Mississippi Cor
respondent sees Washington.


respondent sees Washington.
EAST WOODSTOCK, Conn. April 8, 1889
To the Editor of the Banner DEAR
SIR Il have recently spent a day in
Washington and saw so many things Of
interest, that will give you few lines
of notes on my wanderings. had
pleasant trip. had never been In Nir-
ginia before, and 1 was prepared to en-
ioy it very much. The thoughts OF the
many stirring scenes of this historic
ground, the home of Jefferson, and
Monticello, and then Mount Vernon; to
have seen them will be pleasant MEM
DRY. Washington is getting to be by
r the most interesting city on the Con-
tinent to visit, beside being the Capital
of the country. The Mecca of the polit-
ical pilgrim, it Is fast gathering to itself
contributions from every part of the
world and this will soon make it a uni
versity of information for the people. in
every sphere and phase of life. 1t is
estimated that over 800, 900 strangers
visit it every year. The old title City
of magnificent distances" reminds me
that have heard it spoken of as a mis-
take of the founders-it wa planned on
so broad scale, but after seeing the
place and traversing its streets and
SQUARED say am heartily glad that they
did have an eye to rural pleasure and
beauty as well as to the political require.
ments of the nation. The work OF A. j.
Downing in planning the landscape gar
dens of the city, has been permanent
blessing to the nation in ensuring last
ing beauty to its capital. | enjoyed my
ramble through the botanical gardens
and agricultural museum of plants from
all countries. Near by the Agricultural
department is the Smithsonian Institute
and Museum. That was the most inter
estlng place | ever visited. l never ex-
pected to see 80 near everything at once.
If | get time l will conduct you through
the collection next week, but for now i
will pass on to something else.
The Washington monument Is on a
bluff near the Potomac. 1t is a mile
west of the capitol on the spot selected
by Washington. From it's summit a
grand view can be obtained of the
white House" Just north. Westward,
across the Potomac is Arlington Heights,
where over 10000 soldiers are buried. II
il the largest National cemetery in the
country, some 200 acres. l wished for
the time to go ever there and also to
Mount Vernon 16 miles down the river.
The great size of the capitol makes it
look little squatty but the new stair
way and terrace when complete will do
much to relieve that appearance by add
ing a lower story to the appearance OF
the ed flee.
II ascending the monument | follow
ed he stairs. There are about 9OO steps.
| took the elevator in coming down. SO
many travellers have described the sur
roundings of the building and grounds
that " i'll not weary you with my de.
scTIptIon.
The centennial safe in the old Hall of
Representatives is filed with records of
national interest relating to the close OF
the first century of our Nations life. 1t
is permanently closed to remei1 so until
1876. An interesting relic is the old
clock from Independence Hall. The old
Hall of Representatives is now used as
statuary room for tach of the States to
furnish two statues of their prominent
men. OF course | was the most inter-
ested in Nermonts contribution OF
Ethan Allen and Jacob COlamer, the
former of whom was so intimately con-
nected with BenningtOn's early life.
IOur correspondent formerly lived here.
| had my mind set to visit the Cyclic
rama of the Battle of Shiloh but the
building had been closed for few days
while they were putting in another pic
ture.
At the Navy Yard saw the old Mon
itor and looked over the trophies cannon,
the most interesting oi/which was one
that the Spaniard Corttz used in storm
inv MavioO in 1910 NpurS firmly