New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-27
the rolls and convicted thieves even continue to prac.
NTSIC ~ THE UHITE LOT"
THE FAMOUS SATURDAY CONCERTS OF sousAs
MARINE BAND.

THE FAMOUS SATURDAY CONCERTS OF soCsA'
MARINE BAND.
Washington, Nov % (specal.-The recent retire
ment OF John Phillip >Ousa from the leadership OK
the Marine Band at Washington caused pahs OF
regret 10 every youthful resident of TINS CITY, FOE
years the Marine Band ha, been one Of the lnstltu-
lions Of the Capital NJ social or public function
was complete without its presence. Whether hidden
among the palms and Towering plants of the Wmte
House ensconced i'm cosey corner at the Arsenal
crowded into the balcony of some millionaire senator's
ballroom seated the stage Of the opera House. or
marching down the avenue in all the bravery OF
brilliant uniforms and cleaning helmets, the Marine
Band lent distinct importance to the occasion Whih
allied fl forth It's presencs insured success. There
f. hardly a native Of Washington who has not as
lov marched down the street at its side keeping
time time time, to its stirring Runc rhyme. There
/, not gllcd youth I'm the social swim at the
capital who has not danced The night away to tbs
dreamy rhythm Of It's waltzes.
But 1t was by It's saturday concerts in the "Whito
Lot that the band firmly established Itself In the
hearts Of the Washington populace. All the world
went to the music in the late summer afternoons.
ON these occasions Sou,a always lead. II was there
that the greatest number of citizens OF the District
learned to know his handsome. swarthy face and to
admire the lazy grace with which he waved tho
leaders, baton.
There is no more delightful spot for band con-
cert I'm the world than that White Lot as the
grounds back OF the White House are called The
scene at concert pleasant afternoon Is charac-
torsticaly American. II is familiar to every wash
ngtonian In the foreground is the rear facade OK
tie White House. bald and white ana od-iashoned.
on the rear porch sits the President. with some OF
hi, family visiting member Of the Cabinet and q
few personal friends The band men. In their red
and white uniforms SIT low temporary plat
form In the middle OF the lawn. facing the White
House. on the soft. thick turf stand and walk Two
or three thousand American citizens OF all ages,
soX,s ard conditions. little valley stretches ils
velvet carpet from the stand down TO the shores
of the Potomac. on each side are lttle wooded
knobs, and back OF them tail shade trees. In tho
centre Is pond fed by "A FLASHING fountain and
Inhabited By school of gors'ol'ly -colof'd godhSh
Lying about the soft turf dlgesuhg thelr carly
dinners are tired Government clerks. Alternately
they watch the shifting crowd and read The evening
pap,rs The ear is filled with the smooth cadenc's
of the hand the spa,hlng Of the and the shouts
Of children romplng under the trees. Passing clouds
lcclS the lawn with sunshine and shadow The girl
hood Of WASHINGTON lend, its finest types To the hrons
that pas,e, from bandstand TO fountain and from
fountain back Ia band stand.
4 knot Of state Department clerks in tenri, shirts
and flannel suit, stand aloof In one corner cifcising
the common hcrd7 rs It passes along. ON every
side the suns rays are reflected by tie cleaning
spoke, Of scores of bicycles stacked in nttse groups
while their riders walk In the pgo esson or lie upon
the hillside. Close by the rop,s stands blind Girl
with her younger sister beside her FOR n Guide aud
guardian. she never misses concert. she Is the
first To enter when the gates opened ana always
takes her position on the sane side Of the band the
one fart1e,t away fom the drums and bases. An
other r. gllr visitor 1, with the largest A,ad
I'm the word His brain Is spread over 81 much
space however. that X does not average enough 10
the square inch 10 raise him above the limits OF
iidocy. and he lives on the money paid him BY
medical institution which he has sold his head 10
be delivered after death. The tourists among the
aftVo la fYrltfs nadh nv tho in
which they turn their backs on the music and stare
az the group the White House porch The true
Washingtonan Is used 10 National eel brtues that
he never turns round Ia look at one.
Is the shadows creep across the little valley and
climb up slope. the grass damp
with the gathering dew. and the programme winds
up with rafting qulcksep OF Sousa's own compost
ton. The tide of humanity Gibbs down the gravel
walks The great iron gates slam behind the last
straggler and the "Whte Lott is left the fountain
and the fishes. the flowers and shrubs the wakcful
trcci0ad ana the sleep. Waterman.