The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-27

ton, will cover three blocks. 1t is several
years since excavations for it were begun
It is situated east of the front of the capi-
tol. When completed it will be one of tbs
famous libraries of the world. 1t iB worth
il long walk to see the huge cables and pull
leys and other mechanical tackle in use IN
getting this library erected. The cables are
moored fast on adjoining blocks, and the
whole panorama presented is on so large q
scale as to resemble a navy yard.
The new postoffice just decided on is also
to be on q magnificent scale. It is esti-
mated that it will be completed in about
three years.
Gen. Washington's friend, M. L'Enfant,
the French engineer who laid off the streets
of Washington and ave them their names,
is said to havo conceived the simplicity OF
these names from his own. II am nothing
but enfant,' he said. II know nothing but
A, b, G and one, two. three" And this &C.
cured for the capital it's perfect system OF
street naming.
Governor Shepherd. the second OF the
only two governors the district ever had,
was thought to have ruined Washington
when he had the streets levslled. Many
handsome residences were left standing
high from the stretched, and for a time
such property sank in value. He was exc
Grated By the people of the city at that
time. But twenty years later. when they
| had had time to see the wisdom of his
HAoLAo A4S "to ! "1u4 eilo VI AAlAoiC
and a visit from him was made an ovation.
The avenues Of trees through the city and
miles away INTO the suburbs were of his
planting. In many parts these trees have
grown 30 much as to cast toe aense a shade
on the dwelling houses, and there is now a
call frosn citizens for thinning out. Your
correspondent, coming from the blight
skies of Montana, finds too much shade on
brick walls here. 1t must of necessity
make them damp. Still one cannot 60 to
such lengths as the man who had lived SO
msny years in q ~treeless western town that
vidunl said to me. The thing that I like
bout the western country is that there
amt no ghrubbery, nor trees, nor that sort
O. stuff to make folks sick"
The smooth asphalt pavement of the cap
ital is ona of Gov. Shepherds works. It il
remarkable that this pavement should be
more injurious to the hoofs of korses than
cobblestones. Il is also hard on the feet OF
the little English sparrow in sunmer. 1t
grows soft in the hot sun, and when the
sparrows aliRht, they stick fast till apolics-
man or other friendly hand sets them free.
No ono seems to know what las become of
the thousands of thess little birds that
filled the streets of Washington a few years
ago. OF course. we all remember that they
were brought across the ocean to eat up our
insects. and were protected by law and
were fed and watered and petted by the
CItiAeA3 VI OuT eastern ClJle8. 1HeY H.
creased and multiplied till they spread not
only through the cities into which
they were introduced. but mi
grated into nsighboring towns, and
finally spread over a large part
OF the east. Then people began to find out
that they walked them up too early in the
morning, and made litter by dragging
straw about for their nests, and eat up the
fruit which they had been expected to guard
from the insects, and vera horrid generally,
Then the law withdrew its protection, and
the English sparrows began to grow fewer,
They are dwlndlsd in Washington to a very
few. One misses tho CHEEKY little creatures,
II was pretty to see them after a shower,
boldly splashing in their baths, almost I'M
der the fest OF the horses in the busiest
thoronghfares. 1t was a touch of nature
that WIS could i'll afford to lose, in the midst
OF our brick and mortar and stone, of our
hurry and rush for bread, of our toll and
moil for money.
| was present this morning at the opening
of the Church congress by the Rt. Rev.
Phillips Brooks, bishop of Massachusetts.
1t was in the Church of the Epiphany, the
largest Episcopal church in the city. In
spite OF Il drizzling rain the church WAS
packed. a large crowd having assembled on
the street long before the doors were
opened. In appearance he is majestic look
ing, and his voice is rich, but his manner
was not what enc would expect from q dig
tinguished orator. The words literally
poured from his tongue in a torrent. AL
though tho utterance was distinct. it was
about impossible to keep pace with him,
even in listening, and | hear there III bat
one stenographer in Boston who can take
his sermons down. The address occupied