Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18

plain buildings. Most Of them have been
built on speculation, and still remain
empty. The greatest number any one
place is at Greenleafs Point on the main
river, just above the entrance of the Ees-
tern branch This spot has been looked
upon by many as the most convenient one
for trade. but others prefer the shore of
the Eastern branch on account Of the su-
periority Of the harbor and the great depth
of the water near the shore. There are
several other favorite situations, the choice
OF anyone of which Is a mere matter Of
speculation at present. Some build near
the Capitol as the most convenient place Of
residence for members Of Congress. Some
near the Presidents house. Others again
prefer the west end Of The city in the
neighborhood of Georgetown, thinking that
as trade is already established In that
place 1t must be from thence that 1t will
extend in the city. Were the houses that
have been built situated in one place alto
gether they would make a very respect
able appearance. but scattered about as
they are a spectator can scarcely perceive
anything like a town. Excepting the streets
and avenues.and a small part Of the ground
adjoining the public buildings, the whole
place is covered with trees. To be under
the necessity Of going through a deep wood
for one or two miles, perhaps 20 see a next
door neighbor, and in the same city, Is u
curious, and, believe, a novel circum-
stance.
The Population of the City.
THE number Of inhabitants in the city in
the spring Of 1796 amounted to about 5000,
including artifcers, who form by far the
largest part Of that number. Numbers of
strangers are continually passing and re-
passing through place which affords such
an extensive field for speculation" He re-
fers to the fact that on the occasion of his
last visit to the city, which was in the
spring Of 1856. the buildings were absolute
ly at standstfll for want Of money. and
that the Commissioners had made appica-
ton to Congress. asking for a guarantee of
loan. He says that owing to the opposi-
ton on the part Of a great many people of
the country living to the north of the I'c-
toamc particularly in Philadelphia, who
were still adverse to the removal Of the
seat of government, no action was taken by
Congress for number Of weeks, and II
was not until a number who were interest
ed In the Improvement of the city secured
the assent of members Of Congress to TAX
done.
Distinguished Visitor.
In the following year. 1885, the most dis
tinguished visitor that the infant city had
seen arrived. This was the Duke De La
Rochefocault .Liancourt, who was president
Of the French Assembly after the fall Of
the Bastile and getting in dsfavor with the
party in power was obliged to fee from the
country. Going first to England, he then
came to the United States and spent the
years 1925 to 1877 in extensive travels through
the United States and upper Canada. In
addition to his eminence as a statesman,
the duke was prominent In philanthropic
enterprises and was member Of the French
Academy Of Sciences. His travels. which
were printed in Paris In the closing years
Of the last century, and were translated and
ran through two editions In England. the
last edition being published In the year 1893
In London. give a very minute and inter-