Evening star., 1898-08-10
CITY'S PLEASURE RESORT.
Capitol Grounds Never Failing De-
- light to Thousands

= rev Nashingtonians, probably, are ac-
customed to think of the CAPITOL as a
pie easure resort The majority Of citizens.
IN common with the outside world, no
doubt associate it with the sessions of Con-
gress. in the absence of which it is simpIv
huge white building, idly waiting for
future gatherings of the nations Elegfsla-
tors. The residents of Capitol Hill, how
ever, nave learned to appreciate the build
Ing for an entirely different reason 1t is
the goal of their evening promenades and
deservedly SO. for the evening must he
warm indeed when no stray breeze is TO
be found floating about some one of its
airy corners. The main thoroughfares of
the Hill, Maryland avenue, East Capitol
street and Pennsylvania avenue ell con-
verging in the Capitol. are crowded every
evening with people on their way to the
bread terraces west of the great building
Nor are the river breeZes the only charms
of this resort. The elevation of the pla-
teau on which the Capitol stands gives
magnificent view, which Humboldt the
Famous traveller, is said to have pronounced
the finest he ever saw. Below lies the
city, embowered in its forest of trees. The
mall. stretching due west to the river re-
sembles some old English park. whose
baroniai castle is represented by the tow
ers of the Smithsonian Institution, rising
above the dense foliage. The river on
the west and south CLEANS in the evening
light like silver. Beyond it rise the wood
ed hills of the Virginia shore, forming a
rich background for the white pillars of
Arlington.
Soft green hills rise all about the city, in
fact and on nearly every side they are
crowned with some picturesque building.
such as the Soldiers Home on the north
and st. Elizabeth's to the south The
beauty of the scene is greatly enhanced by
the glorious sunsets which are seen almost
nightly. People who have travelled ex-
tensively in Italy have said that the far
famed italian skies cannot surpass cur
sunset heavens iE loveliness.
The porticos and copings of the terraces
about the Capitol furnish unconventional
seats in abundance for those who come
to feast from natures lavish hand. The
terraces themselves are bright and pretty
with the light summer dresses of the
young people. Many little pale-faced
babies are brought here, whose heavy eye
lids show the whitening effect Of the days
heat, and they revive in the evening braeze
like dropping flowers after rain. Some
times the small children have a merry
game of Il spy" hiding behind the huge
pillars and the flower beds, getting so
much delight ouc of it as to make the older
folks smile and wish themselves children
once more. Meanwhile the clouds are
changing in splendor, the monuments
shaft is bathed perhaps in soft rose or
golden Hglt, the windows in the majestic
facade of the library CLEAN with fame
color or amber. Nor are the eyes alone
pleased, for singing birds linger about the
Capitol grounds, charmed doubtless by The
hoSpitable old trees, the green lawns and
plentiful water supply. One hears now
and then The clear call of the robin, and,
sometimes, the rare, sweet notes CT the
song sparrow.
Gradually the colors soften and die out,
the breeze freshens, and the lights of the
city begin to appear. The sleepy babies,
refreshed for the nights slumber. are
tTundled off in their carriages, the children
are called home. It is the hour for lovers.
The sunset glory passes only to yield to
another scene Of enchantment. The brill
iantly lighted avenue, with the twinkling
lights in swiftly passing cars, looking like
f1ref1ies, gives one the impression of fairy
land. If there is moon the dome looms
up dark and vast against the n1oonlit sky,
but CLEANS softly on the side where the
moonbeams fall. The pillared portfcos
stand sharply out like cornices of the Par
thenon; the dust and heat Of the day seem
far away; the glamor Of romance has made
the marble terraces a lovers paradise
At last even they are gone. and the great
silent building is left to its own memories
deserted. save for the lonely vfgils of the
watchmen. As 1t broods upon the past.
what are its most cherished recollections.
the thunder of its eloquent statesmen. the
grave decisions of its learned judges or the
soft VOWS of lovers and the prattle of little
children who have wandered around II in
the warm summer evenings?