The western sentinel., 1890-06-26

see thu spire of the little church where
Rev. DR.. Sunderland officiates and
where President Cleveland attended.
President Harrison goes to church a
little more fashionable. It partakes
of the new order of architecture and
stands upon Connecticut avenue or
Vanity Fair lane, as John Bunyan
would call it. Its steeple is barely
discernable, two miles away, to the
right OF the army and navy building.
There are historical reminders In
sight. Look to the east. At our feet
you see what appears to be shipyard.
1t is the foundation for the great gov
ernment library. The big cranes used
III moving huge blocks of stone resem-
BILE the masts of vessels, and the ropes
which hold them in place are the rig
ging. Beyond it on the left. at Mary
land avenue and First Streets cream
colored building looking like a dry
gooGs box. It faces the capitol
grounds, and was the old capitol pris-
on. 1t is now the residence of Ste
phen j. Field, justice of the supreme
court. Now look to the southeast.
You see, mile or more away, trian-
gular plot extending into the eastern
branch of the Potomac. It looks like
a park, but it contains the old arsenal
made famous by the execution of
Paine, Harold, Atzerodt and Mrs Sur
ratt. At this distance it appears to
be one of the most charming spots in
Washington. Thousands regard it
with horror, believing that within its
walls an innocent woman was executed
as felon.,
Now walk around the cupola to the
northwest. Ford's old theater, where
President Lincoln was assassinated.
stands to the left of Wanamaker's ba-
Ear. It is so far away that you con-
not distinguish it from other buildings
You can trace the route of Wilkes
Booth on horseback after the assassi-
nation clearly and distinctly. The
city is spread around you like map.
He came down Massachusetts avenue,
near the government printing office,
in the darkness of the night, dashed
across what is now the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad, striking Pennsylvania
avenue southeast and following it un-
til he turned and crossed the bridge
over the eastern branch. There is the
bridge, nearly two miles away, just
above the gas works. The rising
ground beyond it is dotted with white
houses. It is Uniontown, Md where
Harold joined Booth in that stormy,
midnight ride toward the house of DIR.
Mudd.
Look again to the north. Away off
on the horizon, four miles away, you
see the shining roof of the new Catho.
lie university, endowed by Gwendolin
Caldwell. It stands among the trees
on the heights where Jubal Early's
pickets appeared in his raid on Wash
ington. Silver Spring, Francis P.
Blair's old homestead, burned by
Early, lies in the valley beyond it.
From the ridge the Confederate SOL
diers had a plain view of the capitol,
with the immense dome upon which
we stand. IfStonewall jackson had
been in command Washington would
undoubtedly have been captured, for
her kitchen door was wide open.
Glance along Pennsylvania avenue
once more. There is white pile up
on its right, third Of the way to the
treasury. 1t is the National hotel,
where Old Hickory once quartered,
where Henry Clay died :nd where
james Buchanan was poisoned. The
Baltimore & Ohio depot stands diago-
nally opposite on Sixth street. 1t was
here that President Garfield received
his fatal wound at the hands of Gui
teau. Here Senator Beck, of Ken
lucky, fell dead three weeks ago. The
brick towers of the depot are plainly
seen, and en- express train creeps
from its rear through the government
reservation as we gaze upon it.
The avenue itself lies below us, filled
with life and animation. Twenty five
years ago this month it echoed for
three days with the tramp of armies
The most magnificent military review
ever held upon this continent was
held at its head. It was a review of
the real and only grand army of the
republic. One day was given to the
heroes who marched with Sherman to
the sea, and another to the battle
SCARED veterans of the army of the
Potomac.
The botanical garden is at the foot
Of Capitol hill. Its jewel is the Bar
tholdi fountain, presented to the gov
ernment after the centennial exhihi-
ton in Philadelphia. At this hour it
fills the air with silver spray, making
al exquisite spectacle. The park
around the capitol has the freshness
| of spring. You hear the robins call
ing in the trees below and see the rich
| green verdure on the mead. The work
Of the lawn mower gives the carpet
variegated shades of green. A thou
sand shrubs and bushes, bearing flow
ers and roses of many hues, flank the
| green terrace and. fill the air with
perfume. Ben Buffers stone castle
frowns upon the south Of the park
and the empty Maltby house glowers
upon it from the north.
The sinking sun is gliding the alum
inum point of the Washington monu-
ment as Captain Boyden observes that
time is flying and that the entrance to
the dome should be closed at o'clock
/ A glance at the tall shaft, that in the
light of the setting sun shines like ala
baster, a final survey of the beautiful
citv. nestled in the sea of foliage be