The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-10-23


inent objects as seen from most of the
streets of that city. The portico is
sixty feet long and twenty-five feet
deep, and is ornamented by eight col
umns, of brick, plastered. An electric
railroad is now building, and soon one
can take the cars in Washington and
ride to the gate of the cemetery. The
SOLDIERS HOME
is another spot of interest as we'll
as of comfort on such day as that
upon which l visited it, for the day was
the hottest of the season. 1t is located
on the high lands just outside the north
ern boundary of the city, and is easily
reached by taking the street cars,
which leave visitors at the gates. The
wooded g1ounds-500 acres-are beau
tifully laid out, and the drive within
the enclosure extends seven miles. On
the grounds is monument in memory
of Vice-President Henry Wilson, who,
as chairman of the senate committee
on military affairs, and for short time
colonel of q regiment of Massachusetts
cavalry, was the steadfast friend of the
soldier. Not far away, on the brow of
the hill, is a bronze statue of General
Scott, ten feet high, erected by the
Home at an expense of $4,000. Gen
eral Scott may be regarded as the father
of the Home, as, at his suggc stlon, con-
gress donated, in 1851, $11S, 719, the I'M
expended balance of the sum levied
upon the City of Mexico when taken by
the general. One of the political par
ties of that day opposed the sppropria-
10, ha hot
an aristocratic body of military pau
pers." To this sum is added forfeitures,
stoppages and fines, and a tax of
twelve cents a month on each private
soldier. This Home is for soldiers of
the regular army who have served at
least twenty years or have been dis
abled in the service. The Home build
ing is magnificent structure of white
marble, 200 feet front, and from its
tower is had beautiful view Of the
country for miles around. 1t has been
the favorite residence of several of our
presidents during the heated term.
Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln and Hayes
spent much time there.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
was unfinished in war time and for
many years afterward. To. day it tow
ers to the height of 500 feet-the high
est monument in the world. Yet, mon.
ster as it is, it's lines taper with such
mathematical nicely, that, looked at
with clear sky as background, it APP
pears, en- silhouette, light, airy, grace
full. Go wherever one may in or
around Washington, it is the first OBJ
ject to greet the eye. 1t is, in some
respects, the most imposing architec-
tural feature of the continent.
DOWN THE POTOMAC AND THE BAY.
The temptation must be resisted to
write of the Capitol, the White House,
the department buildings; the churches,
colleges, academies and schools, the
numerous " Squares" and "Circles,"
nearly every one adorned with statuary;
the broad streets and avenues, with
their excellent car service; the GEM
eteries; the hospitals and other institu-
tions of benevolent character; the
theaters and hotels. One should have
one eternity in which to visit Washing.
ton, and another in which to write
about it. Neither being vouchsafed
me, must bid it goodbye, and make
my way back to Fortress Monroe on the
beautiful new steamer, the " Newport
News"
AS did not land at Alexandria, 1
am unable to speak very definitely as
to its present condition, but the wharves
are decaying, and the brief glimpse l
had of the streets showed that the busi-
ness blocks are fast relapsine into a
state of "innocuous desuetude." Thus
fades away the glory of that ancient
city at whose docks, in colonial times,
were unloaded cargoes from all over
the world in exchange for Old Dominion
urrency-tobacco
A view of Mount Vernon from the
boat shows no change in the past
thirty years.
Acquia Creek Landing, the base of
supplies for long time of the Army
of the Potomac, looks deserted. My
impression is that it is abandoned as a
boat landing, but of this | am not at all
confident. Yet it is certain that the
railroad track to that point has been
taken up, and the road built through to
Washington by way of Quantico, further
up the creek.
Passing another day at Old Point
Comfort, went to Norfolk, took the
steamer " City of Columbia" for New
York, and thence home without further
incident worthy of mention.
AMONG the latest inventions in Lon