The times., 1899-04-23

the summer months. While the season has
been backward this year, the trees are
well covered with foliage and even at this
early date the garden appearance of the
parks has attracted much favorable COM
ment
The grass plats have been trimmed
anew and the walks again leyeIed and the
long desolation of winter has been for
gotten in the present glory. The streets
are new in the trimming of green and the
whole is set off with the peculiar eleanli-
ness of weil-swept asphalt. The lack OF
eyesores is the more apparent as the vsi-
tor seeks in vain for the defects familiar
in other cities.
Bur the parks are the glory of the me-
tropolis. Scattered as they are about the
city they are seen TO advantage and in
vite the weary pedestrian 10 rest and COM
fort even in the centre and the hustle
and rush of the city. In Lafayette Square
the glorious magnolias are in full bloom
and the walks are carpeted with blossoms
while the air is heavy with fragrance. The
spreading trees above and the pretty plats
OF flowers beneath make such an April
scene as cannot be excelled even in
Florida.
Great beds OF tulips and hyacin,hs are
blooming in the White House grounds,
Lafayette Square, Washington Circle and
other public grounds, and 10 these early
hardy flowers will soon be added masses OF
other plants. The fora and vegetation
which distinguish the Capitol grounds
are already in bloom Or budding. and the
ensemble is remarkable. Here may be
found thousands of different species OF
plant life. and in few weeks the glorious
garden will be in full perfection.
The White House grounds excel the 9TH
er parks in color and in perfection of land
scape gardening. Here are dozens of plats
of rare and beautiful fora set in a frame
work Of such grass as resembles a Brus-
sells carpet in texture and color. At pres
ent the historic old magnolia trees in front
of the Executive Mansion are in bloom,
and these attract much attention.
The fountains in the various parks have
all been cleaned and many of them paint
cd. In a week or so the water will be
turned on and the attractive appearance
OF the parks completed. However, park
frequenters have not waited for all this
preparation. For several weeks the old
fayorite benches have been occupied by
the strolling throng. and children have
been free to ramble where the horticul-
turist had not yet made his appearance.
The largest crowds are usually found in
Judiciary Square. which is the fayorite
leisure resort for that class that either
earns its bread by the sweat of its brow OIL
manages to get bread in sinuous ways not
classified in labor statistics. The green
and nicely painted benches are already
well filled at all hours of the day.
Lafayette Square is perhaps the mos
handsome OF all the public parks and finds
many frequenters during these first gio-
rious days OF the new season. Last week
the benches were ever filed with happy
throngs and the delighted generation
which is cared for by nurse maids found
new romance and joys in playing among
the windshed buds and magnolia leaves
The highly exclusive circles which are
adorned with the statues OF the Civil War
heroes are attracting the usual highly ex-
elusive class. which finds the spring none
the less enjoyable because the ordinary
citizenry has popularized IL.
The long clean streets OF the city aid In
beautifying the Capital. The absence o
poles and wires and the unobstructed
canopy of the sky always bring new ap-
probation to the stranger. Nothing to be
desired is lacking and even the weather is
Of the best brand obtainabie. Pennsylva
mia Avenue from end TO end is worth g
long journey to see in spring. 1t Is the
ideal Of a city thoroughfare, and the resi-
Dental streets and avenues form hand
some background. Al the intersection Of