Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-24
Washington From a New York Point Of View


buried tomorrow.
Washington From q New York Point Of View.
To the Editor of The Evenin~ Star:
Twenty years ago Washington was my home
since which time have mostly resided in New
York. short time ago visited Washington
and was surprised ami refreshed with the won
derful progress it has made 1t is doubtful il
there is another citv in the United States that
has made more solid progress during that time
When Charles Dickens visited Washington
about fifty years ago he i'll his American notes
ridlculed its claim of being a CITY OF magnifi-
cent distances branding it rather as a place Of
magnificent pretensions. But no one now can
with justice so ridicule it. for it is not only
city of magnificent distances. but of magnifi-
cent residences. magnificent streets, magnifi
cent parks. magnificent buildings and magnifi-
cence generally.
1t would take too much Of your valuable
space to specify all Of the improvements that
have occurred in Washington within the last
twenty years. but l am constrained to mention
a few.
The Washington monument, then an I'M
slightly pile. is now completed and massive, q
fine tribute to the Father of his country"
The State, War and Navy building the PEN
sion building, the bureau of engraving and
printing. the National Museum next to the
Smithsonian Institute, the medical museum.
many others all rich, splendid and orna-
mental additions to the city. The immense
Congressional Library, now under construction,
will. when completed. undoubtedly be the finest
building of its kind in the world. know of no
city that is as prettily and as well paved As
Washington.
perceive that streets have been greatly ex-
tended. new street car lines established and
beautiful parks added to the city. In short
general brace up all around. The progress
on the Potomac flats, though necessarily slow,
is good and immense.
l understand that Rock creek has been pur-
chased and will be converted into a national
park and geological gardens That is right. We
should have a zoo to equal the one in London.
The far northwest Of the city has had great
deal of money spent on it and is vastly i'm
proved, though it seems as il more houses have
been built in the northeast. also in the south
east. but of a more modest character.
There is one thing about Washington in which
l think decided improvement could be made,
and that is the lighting of the streets and parks.
At night they are too gloomy. should say dan
gerOusly some occasions. Twenty years!
How long and yet how short. And oh, the list
of eminent and other people who have passed
from earth and Washington's history in that
time.
l strolled through your Oak Hill cemetery
some time ago. 1t Is certainly very pretty-as
much SO as Pere la Chase. Paris, through which
cemetery, Brooklyn, though on a smaller scale.
stranger visiting Washington must be sur
prised and delighted at what he Sees The
prettiness and sweetness of the ladies'. the love-
illness of the parks, the massive buildings. the
rich residences. the wide and ample streets,
the affable people must all have very genial
effect upon him. ] would suggest that he stay
there at least two weeks, go through an the
public buildings, stroll leisurely out to the
northwest, take in Dupont, Scott and Thomas
mont. Rhode Island and New Hampshire
avenues, also on 10Th, 18th. 18th, 10Th and
other streets. Lazily walk through Lafayette.
Farragut and Jackson squares, Lincoln, STAN
ton and other parks.
Not only has your city wonderfully improved,
but still improves. and will improve indefi-
nitely. Yes. Washington, thou art a sweet city,
a garden spot in this promised land; city Of
which the whole country might well be proud.
New York, Feb. 81, 1893. s. B. l..