The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-06
"The civ of washington"


A moderate-sized volume OF business
like appearance Is THE City OF Wash
iuF,on" and It has an interest for read
ers in this city both on account Of its
subject and the fact that the author, DR..
Samuel Busey. Is Washington man. He
has Incorporated into each chapter
some facts not generally known, and
Others which could only be gathered
through research involving more time
and trouble than most people can afford
TO spend on anything outside their regu-
lar business. one Of the statements
which he finds occasion TO make in the
first chapter IS that this city is not the
first capital which has been located on
the Potomac. Hundreds Of years ago
the headquarters Of the noted Algonquin
tribe We're on the very site Of the
city u Washington and one Of its sub
urbs. as the outlying Indian villages
might be called was on the present site
Of Anacostia. il was, in fact, from The
tribe located there that Anacosjia re
ceived its title. evolved from Nacoch-
tank the cognomen OF this tribe. The
Jesuits Latinized the name into Anacos-
tan and ii presently became Anacostia
Another interesting item dug up by DR..
BUseE in his researches Is the way in
which enithetS We're bestowed on our
capital during its infancy and childhood
i has been called among other things,
the City OF Magnificent Distances, Com
mercial Emporium Of the United States,
Second Rome. Embryo Capital. Grand
Emporium Of the West, Palace in the
Wilderness, Court City Of Nation, New
Settlement Pounding Capital, City of
Trees Without Houses, First Born Child
OF the Union. Wide Spreading and Ru-
raj Metropolis, Washingtonople, Infant
Metropolis, and Struggling Village. Some
Of these names are enough 10 relieve any
city on earth OF unnecessary personal
vanity.
Amy Washiugtonian who has curiosity
10 know what buildings formerly stood
on the site OF his present residence,
viii find some interesting information in
this book, for the author has taken pains
10 prepare list Of all the houses be-
tween Georgetown and Capitol Bill which
were in existence in 1900 and their ap-
pearance and their owners and tenants
At that time, as may be inferred, Penn
Eylyania Avenue was sparsely settled.
In connection with the stream called
Goose Creek, and also TibeT Creek, the
following tradition is given: That a man
named Pope once owned farm near the
Capitol and called his farm Rome, the
stream near ii Tiber. and the hin Cap
itol Hill; and he predicted, many years
before such thing was thought Of, that
magnificent structure. called the Cap
itol. would be erected on this hill. This
legend has a little the air Of having been
manufactured after the event, but il is
interesting, nevertheless. Since the time
OF Mr.. Pope, Goose Creek has largely
disappeared from view. having been
srched over or turned into sewer con-
dUits. and no more. as in earlier DAYS
fish III obi Il
OF the National Hotel, or near the Ma
sonic Temple. A stream crossing Penn
sylyania Avenue near The Times's Build
ing offered a good deal Of obstruction to
travel and vehicles at one time, and it
was also known as Goose Creek. In
the pages Of DR.. Busey's book one finds
information which leads 10 the conclu-
sion that within the memory Of people
now living Washington must have been
very largely creeks and morass, but 1t
is hard TO realize the fact There We're
about twenty-five springs OF water with
IN the city limits in / Enfant's time.
Another interesting page Is that deal
ing with the famous ball given on jan
uary s, 1924 at 1893 F Street by Mrs.
Adams II was given in honor Of Gen.
jackson, and IL took q week TO prepare
the ballroom for the great occasion. The
floor was chalked with representations
OF the American eagle and flags, the
tergreen, and lighted with glass varie-
gated lamps The costumes of the la
dies are described IN this way:
They had sl1irts Of FIVE bTeadths, a quarter Of Z
yard each, OF the fayorte Indian crepe, coQuettish
ly short Tor the freer display Of the slipper END
SILK stocking, matching the color OF the gown
and fastened with ribbons crossed over the mister
and ankle The low baby waist came 70 an end
abruptly under The arms. which were covered with
gloves 50 fine that they Were sometimes slowed
eunninsly in Tie shell q an English walnut. The
hair, dressed high YVES crowned with q comb OF
tortoise shell; white turhan and ostrich feathers
were the peculiar enslgIls Of wives and Inatrons.
1r. Agge, Of the National Intelligent
Ger, made this ball famous with the
lines:
Nend you with the world tonightY
Brown and fair, and wise and witty,
Eyes that feat in seas Of light
Laughing mouths and dimples pretty
belies and guaLrOHs. maids and madaInes
Al arc gong - Mrs. Adams.
wend you with the world tonight
East and West. and South and North
FOrm q constellation bright
And pour q blended brllliance forth:
See The tide Of fashion flowing
IT'S tho noon OF bezutv's reign
Neirsier- Hamilton. are going
Eastern LLOYD and southern Hayne.
Bellies and matTUns maids and madanes.
an are going 10 Mrs Adams
And 50 on. through five or six verses
5f clever rhythmicaI catalogue Society
verse then WAS evidently very much as il
is now StiIl another interesting episode
IS the fancy bah given 81 1879 by Mrs.
James Brooks. wife Of the New York con-
gresham, who YVES NirPinian by birth
and q brilliant woman. She appeared OF
that occasion In the double character Of
Qualteress and n lady Of fashion greet
ing The guests at her right with the thee.
and thOus Of the QuakerS. and those N
her left with exaggerated airs and graces
1T must have caused some quiet amuSe.
ment when, ia the course Of the even
ing. She was heard 20 say: Henry Clay
how IS thec2 Daniel Webster ] am glad
10 see thee"
The narrative, or collection or nara
tiVes- ends AT $50 Though the book mas
no pretensions 10 literary style. il is char.
ac;eriZed by clearncss. conciseness. and
q certain suggestion OF satirical humor
The authors personal opinions seem "a
pop out here and there with the elusive
and tantalizing effect Of a mouse explor-
Ing old books and papers and refusing 10
b. caught
o"ashington: William Ballantyne 6
Sons
t'Modcrn France"
Modern France by Andre I.eRon
member % the Chamber Of Deputies. IS
one OF 2 series called story Of tie IA.
tions. 4" and takes 81 .he history Of Franc.