The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-21

House, in front OF which PHILIP Barton
Key was shot by Sickols. Tho tree, under
which the dead mans body lay, Is still stand
Ing, although It's bark had been completely
removed by relic hunters. AT the northwest
Generals ONCE, is tho House made famous
by the ownership of Commodore Decatur,
where dolly" Madison lived and reigncd so
long Social Queen after her husbands term
as President expired.
The Washington Monument.
Immediately south of the white Honso
stands the Washington Monument, the loft.
est structure erected by man, and the most
Imposing obelisk ever constructed. IL is 300
ieet above Its base, which Is d. feet above
Underwater. Its cornerstone was laid July
q, 1913, ond the capstone, forming the apex,
was placed In position December q, 1884. In
Il are lS1 blocks OF inserted stones or copper,
gifts from various countries and societies.
The total cost will be over 81, $500 II Is
situated In what will ultimately DO beauti.
full park.
The Nacal Observatory.
To the west Of tho Washington Monument
on the highest elevation that borders the
SSis bank Of the river between 81 Es
stands the Naval Observatory. The hill on
Which II stands is famous for having been
the camping ground Of Washlngt9n ana Brad
march TO the fatal field, where the English
General fell q victim to his sef-conoelt and
vanity. Tradition also points out this hill ms
the decisive battle-ground between the Dis
trict Indians and the mysterious Susquo-
hannas. This observatory contains the largest
refracting telescope IN the world, next to tho
new equatorial Just built for the Lick OBJ
servatory. By Its aid that most Interesting
II not greatest astronomical discovery of the
country was made, the moons of Mars. The
entrance to the Observatory Is at Il and
Twenty thrd streets northwest The uerdic
cabs go to Twenty-second and q streets.
The Agricultural Department.
This building IS situated east OF the Monu-
ment. II Is inclosed BY the most beautiful
and glowing flower garden In the country,
and the grounds contain the most complete
Aboretum 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 tho grounds.
The Smithsonian institute and Ndiiona,
Museum.
The visitor may obtain considerable enter
taihment and instruction by spending several
hours In the Smithsonian Institution and
f National ,I, Museum. These are two handsome
lying south Of Is street, between Seventh and
Twelfth streets. There is simply mammoth
free museum, owned and operated by the u.
thing In nature, science. literature, history
and art that rare, interesting and valuable
and the displaying Of them to the public. As
the first object of interest is collection OF
,he. 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 etchngs,
specimens of the engravers art In Its perfec,.
ton. The surgeon will see whole cases full
of keen and glistening implements Of his
calling from the smallest and most complex
to the largest and simplest. The numisnitist
me- reye In collection Of rare coins, from
copper cast that bears the stamp of the
C@sars. The geologst will find himself in a
maze OF specimens dug from every section
for hours over tho models Of the Cliff houses
and the homes OF the Aborigines. The lover
OF antiquities In general will have an UNI
tian mummies, q Thousand years old. and
relics Of Pompeii to the arms and implements
Of the early jewellers 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
| and Germany will please the eye. and TIL
| process OF manufacture Is displayed. In the
Smithsonian Building the student of tax.
beasts, fish and reptiles stuffed and In Jars Of
alcohol Back Of the Smithsonian Building
Is a 200" where are number Of live wild
animals. Several bears. a cougar. a. jaguur
and groups of smaller animals and birds
comprise the collection. The Smithsonian
Institution and National Museum buildings
and may be reached by the Seventh street,
Belt line and Ninth street line of street-cars
The Botanical Gardens.
Passing eastward IRON the Museum, over
the railroad bridge that spans sixth street,
and through tine preity park lying between
Maine and Missouri avenues, I he visitor comes
10 the emit ance on Third street, lust south OF
Pennsylvania avenue, OF the Botanical Oar
dens. These interesting grounds are open
caily from In the morning to q In the even
ing. They were established fifty years ago.
The conservatories are tlled with the
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
The Peace Monument.
Just half way across tine 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. II Is OF marble and
cost, with pedestal and platform, SAL 900. 1t
| Is proposed TO remove this monument TO ono
fthe squares on the northwest section.
Retraclng ours tops we lind
The Printing and Engraving Bureau.
| The great money mill Of the Government Is
| located ut The corner of Fourteenth aud b
| streets southwest, southeast from the Mouu-
ment and southwest from the Agricultural
Bureau. 1t Is reached by the Belt Line Cars
and is opened to visitors every day.
Dairy Burns Cottage.
One Of the curosities Of Washington Is old
Davy Burns Cottage, on Seventeenth street,
near the river. 1t may be reached by the
drive south q the Presidents Ionse or by
the Metropolitan or Avenue line OF cars. Next
door to II Is General Van Ness once stately
mansion, whore he brought his bride. Marcia
Burns, one OF the original helresses OF Wash
ington.
Corcordn art Gallery.
The Corcoran Art Gallery Is at the corner of
| Pennsylvania avenue and Seventeenth street,
| opposite the War, Navy and State department
| II Is open Tuesdays. Thursdays and Satur-
| days free: on other days (oxcept sundays, a
| although not to be compared with the great
| Old World galleries, IL nevertheless n very
creditable Institution for so new country
asthe United States. IL contains among other
original objects Powers great statue of the
"Greek Slave"
Tie Louis Home
The Louise Home Is a beautiful building at
| the corner of Massachusetts, avenue and Fiji
| teenth street, near Scott Circle. IL has ex-
tensve grounds. beautifully embelllshed, and
| Is unique establishment IL Is memorial
| TO the wife and daughter of Mr.. W. w,
| Corcoran, and Is inter ded as a home for
ladies of education and birth and refinement.
who have been reduced TO poverty from af-
| nuence
| The Columbian UnigTSitB
Coming down Fifteenth street from the
Louise Home, at the corner OF Fifteenth and
| III streets, the visitor sees the Columbian Uni
yersity, which occupies the site OF tho old