The Washington critic., 1890-05-03

In which IL IL erected Is historic one. ON
N tne same street, at the east corner, stands
Riggs Bank, which was built for the accom-
dation OF the Washington branch of the
old United States Bank. Just around the cor
ner is the residence of Secretary of State
was formerly the old Washington Cldb
House, in front of which Philip Barton
Key was shot, by siclSels. The tree, under
e 9 bark koa Rag Is s
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 so
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 bv man, and the most
imposing obelisk ever constructed. IL Is 555
feet above its base, which Is az feet above
tide-water. Its cornerstone was laid July
q, 1913, and the capstone, forming the apex,
was placed in position December 9, 1884. In
IL are lS1 blocks of inserted stones or copper
gifts from various countries and societies.
Thetotal cost will be over 81 100000. It is
situated in what will ultimately be beauti-
full park
The Naoal 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.
which It 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 q 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
If not greatest, astronomical discovery of the
country was made, the moons of Mars. The
entrance the Obser vatory Is at Il and
Twenty-thir streets northwest. The Herdc
cabs go to Twenty-second and g streets.
The Agricultural Department.
This building is situated east of the Monu-
ment. 1t is inclosed by the most beautiful
and glowing flower garden in the country,
and the grounds contain the most complete
Aibortetgm probably IN the United States
Attached to this Department are the Expert
mental Gardens, whose Offices are immedi-
ately west Of the main building. The Belt
Line cars go right past the grounds
The Smithsonian Institute and National
Museum.
The visitor may obtain considerable enter
taihment and instruction by spending several
hours in the Smithsonian Institution and
National Museum. These are two handsome
big buildings, situated in the immense park
lying south of street, between Seventh and
Twelfth streets. There is simply mammoth
free museum, owned and operated by the y.
s. Government for the collection of every
thing in nature, science, literature history
and art that is rare, interesting and valuable,
and the displaying of them to the public. AS
one enters the hall of the National Museum
the first object of interest is "a collection of
the personal effects of George Washington,
including his clothing, family china and camp
utensils. Beyond this stretch row after row
OF glass showcases, in which are displayed
COLLECTIONS of almost every conceivable ar
ticles. The artist will find rare etchings,
specimens of the engrayer's art in its perfec.
tion. The surgeon will see whole cases full
OF keen and ,glistening implements of his
to the largest and simplest. The numismatist
may revel in collection of rare coins, from
the freshly coined dollar of the day to the
copper cast that bears the stamp of the
Caesars. The geologist will find himself In a
maze of specimens dug from every section
of the country. The ethnologist may pore
for hours over the models of the Cliff houses
and the homes of the Aborgines The lover
of antiquities in general will have an un-
bounded range of subjects, from the Egyp-
tiaD mummies, thousand years old. and
relics of Pompeii to the arms and implements
of the early dwellers in America The lover
of bric-a-brac and fine china will discover a
paradise of earthen productions. The dain-
tiest wares from Limoges, Baccarat, Hungary
process of manufacture is displayed. In the
Smithsonian Building the student of tax.
idermy will find case after case. of birds.
beasts, fish and reptiles stuffed and in Jars of
alcohol. Back of the Smithsonian Building
is a Zoo" where are number of live wild
animals. Several bears, cougar, a jaguar
and groups of smaller animals and birds
comprise the collection. The Smithsonian
Institution and National Museum buildings
are open from 0 a. m. to p. IN. to visitors,
and may be- reached by the Seventh street,
Belt line and Ninth street line of street-cars
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
Pennsylvania avenue, of the Botanical Gar
dens. These interesting grounds are open
daily from 8 in the morning to In the even
@ They eS y ytS Ss
choicest and rarest foreign plants. Around
the gardens are extensive collections Of trees
and shrubs. In the centre of the lawn facing
the centre conservatory is the famous Bar
tholdi Fountain that attracted SO much at
tention at the Philadelphia Centennial.
The Peace Monument.
Just half way across the Avenue from the
northeast angle of the Botanical Garden and
at the west foot of the Capitol Grounds Is the
Peace Monument This was designed by Ad.
mlral Porter in honor of the dead soldiers and
sailors Of the late war: It is of marble and
cost, with pedestal and platform, S41 900. 1t
of the squares on the northwest section.
Retraclng ours teps we find
The Printing and Engraving Bureau.
The great money mill of the Government Is
located at The corner OF Fourteenth and b
streets southwest, southeast from the Monu
gOnthypagt
Bureau. It is reached by the Belt Line Cars
and is opened to visitors every day.
Dagy Burns Cottage
One of the curiosities of Washington Is old
Davy Burns Cottage, on Seventeenth street,
near the river. 1t may be reached by the
drive south of the Presidents House or by
the Metropolitan or Avenue line of cars. Next
door to IL Is General Van Ness once stately
mansion, where he brought his bride. Marcia
Burns, one of the original heiresses OF Wash
ingten.
COrc0rGn Art Gallery.
The Corcoran Art Gallery is at the corner of
Pennsylvania avenue and Seventeenth street;
opposite the War Navy and State Department.
days free; on other days Except Sundays)
small admission fee is charged. This gallery,
although not to be compared with the great
Old World galleries, is nevertheless very
creditable institution for so new country
as the United States. 1t contains among other
original objects Powers great statue of the
"Greek Slave"
The Louise Home.
The Louise Home is a beautiful building at
the corner of Massachusetts avenue and Fiji
teentb street, near Scott Circle. 1t has ex-
tensive grounds. beautifully embellished, and
is unique establishment 1t is memorial
to the wife and daughter of Mr.. w. W,
Corcoran, and is inter ded as a home for
ladies Oft fLeducation and birth and refinement,
who have been reduced to poverty from af-
fuence
The Columbian UaiCerSity.
Coming down Fifteenth street from the