The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-08
CAPITAL NOTES.

geSteu tne removal Oh lne FENCES So ludJ lue
public might enjoy one of the most pleasing
things from an artistic standpoint that we have.
Why the Botanical Gardens, the peoples prop
erty, should be treated as fortress it is diff
cult to understand Other parks in the city
which are not protected by iron bars are not
vandalized, and there is no possible reason for
hedging in this lovely square, lying at the foot
of the Capitol and which ought really to be
part of its grounds, with fence so high that
one cannot even look overit l presume the
argument against removing it would be that q
tree or shrub might be injured. If this reason
exists for the Botanical Gardens 1t exists for
every public square in the city, and they should
all be surrounded by high fences. But there is
another remedy. We have thousands OF old
soldiers, men who have an honorable record,
but who are too old or feeble for active service,
and who are supported at the expense OF the
Government. Let them be the guardians of
the public squares. Their uniforms would be
pleasing feature, their employment would show
the gratitude of the Republic for their loyal SER
vice. their salary, which should of course be
small one would buy them the luxuries they
are not now provided with, and the work would
be wholesome both for mind and body. Every
once in while we are shocked by some scandal
at the Soldiers Home. The employment of
those capable of any sort of service would be a
practical way of preventing these scandals.
Now, many of the soldiers work about the Home,
but believe it is optional with them whether
they work or not. Tear down, by all means, the
iron fences about the Botanical Gardens and
let the public enjoy its beauties. Make it
part of the Capitol grounds, and no more fit
ting place could be found for the Bartholdi
fountain, which would be an agreeable resting
,.;t1 ot .,nl1ac
bronze men or ill-shaped horses. AS it is now,
many people in the city do not know that the
Bartholdi fountain is among us, and the ma
iority, / fancy, have never seen it, Why hide
away behind iron bars something which will not
only give pleasure but educate the public taste !?
X X X
We grow ppodgously and accomplish as much
in decade as most nations do in century, and
in our rapid progress we make many mistakes,
which we have to turn back to and correct, but
the result is good, as witness the Capitol, which
has been tinkered at for many years, but which
is one of the most imposing buildings l ever re-
member to have seen. AS [ passed Lafayette
Square the other day some workmen put
ting the finishing touches on the base which will
hold the statue of the squares ilustrious name
sake. If the statue is placed on that spot no
thinking person for q moment believes that 1t
will stay there. which will give us another mis-
take to correct. But mistakes have their uses,
especially when they give work to the fathers of
families both in the making and unmaking of
them.
The mark cts never look more attractive than
in the early summer, and the piles of fresh veg
etables and baskets of luscious fruits tempt one
into eXtravagances But the epicure misses
many Of his favorite dishes from the table.
Cold storage makes it possible to serve any dish
at any time of the year. but one fancies that can
yas-backs several months old are not as dclecta-
bic as when only short time has elapsed since
they fed on their favorite celery, and they cost
almost their weight in gold But we cannot
have everything, and just now we are enjoying
the berries, which are especially fine this year,
though the berry-growers have cultivated most OF
the sweetness and flavor out of them The ideal
way to eat Strawberries is on the farm where
they are grown. Have them picked early in the
morning while the dew is still on them, sprinkle
them with sugar and deluge them in rich cream
sit under the trees where the sunlight filtering
through the leaves makes pleasing picture OF
light and shadow on your table cloth, with light
bread, golden butter, and fragrant Coffee you
have breakfast that the Olympian gods might
envy. That is the way learned to eat straw
berries, and / have never been able to enjoy
them when bought at market, even in the most
perfect condition. The most agreeable way tc
serve strawberries that have been packed in
boxes and transported is in shortcake. have
often ordered strawberry shortcake at restau
rants and cafes, and have been surprised to learn
how few people know how to make this deli
cious dish. Some put the strawberries between
layers of cake and others between pie crust, but
the simple old-fashioned wayis the best Make
a light biscuit dough. When done split it
through the middle; While still hot, butter eacl
piece generously and put thick layer of straw
berries, with plenty of sugar aud little pieces OF
butter over them, on the under piece; cover this
with the upper slice, and on top put layer OF
strawberries and sugar WELL Set the cake IL
the oven until the juices begin to flow freely
take it out and when cold pour whipped cream
favored with sherry over it. Made in this way
it is no kin to the soggy tasteless thing you arr
often served with.
X X X
1t seems after all that the public have nC
privileges that street-car companies are boun(
to respect. The people of Washington have
made the stockholders of the local street-ca
companies rich, and in return have received a
little consideration as it was possible to grant
They have been made to play the part of con
ductors, been crowded into the cars like sar
dimes, had live hens cackling under their legs
been tormented to death by that adVertisin!
nuisance the street indicator, been carried hal
square beyond their destinations and have, il
word, suffered too many nuisances and dis
comforts to enumerate, with only an occasiona
mild protest. But now the geople in the west
ern part of the city who live between Dupon
Circle and the Boundary are up in arms ant
the amount of Indignation expended ought t
produce reform. 1t seems that after 1870 or /