The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-06-30
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
,ETTER FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY
A Baltimore County Lady in Washington
"A Visit to the Splendid New Libra
~ Building-The National Muse
um-Dewey's Beautiful Pres
ents The Monument and
Capitol-A Concert by
Blind Children. etc.

FORREST GLEN, Nd, June 10th, 1900.
Messrs Editors On Friday afternoon. June
18th, a concert was given in the new National
Theatre, Washington, by the pupils OF the Mary
land School for the Blind, having given IL the
previous afternoon in the Academy OF music,
Baltimore. A large audience, composed OF
friends and relatives of the pupils, were present.
An enjoyable program, composed OF vocal ana
instrumental music, was delightfully."- rendered
by the advanced pupils. One of the most in
teresting features was the flag drill. Ihe smaller
children, carrying small flags OF al tne nati9ns'
marched by twos, led by the little Cuban nag.
After marching and counter marching large
beautiful Star Spangled Banner was brought on
the stage, when the little flag bearers marched
around it, forming the most difficult figures
without mistake and ending the drill by salu-
ting the large flag: These performances nave
the managers for the success that has attended
this well known institution. which has peen IN
operation forty.fye years the iirst pupil having
On the 10th inst. spent most OF the day IN the
Congressional Library, Washington. cannot
describe this magnificent building. 1t has cost
over &c. 600 600 and is considered the largest cost
lest and most elegant library building IN the
world. It covers 81 acres OF ground, mas large
inner courts and over 2 600 windows of beautiful
designs. The various marbles of which 1t Is con-
structed are from different states of the Union.
1t contains shelf room for 100000 volumes. 1t
now contains 800, 1000 books and more than 1000
600 pamphlets, pictures, &c. The dome is nnish.
ed in black copper. gilded with thick coating OF
pure gold. The inside is also beautifully deco
rated in the ceiling with pure gold, costing
thousands of dollars. The central main hall has
in the centre of the floor sun inlaid with brass,
showing the four cardinal points of the compass.
This is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac.
These points, with guide book, directs you to
aTy and inc Mosaics VIII require many days to ex
anime. The architects, painters and sculptors
whole thing is the product Of American talent,
art and workmanship. OF which we all should be
proud.
many new and beautiful things have been placed
on exhibition since my last visit. On entering
| view the well preserved relics Of Washing.
what seems to be the centre of attraction are
the beautiful presents now on exhibition to Adj
miral Dewey from the citizens of the United
of art. The immense gold and silver punch
bowl and ladle, from citizens Of st. Louis, Mo-,
nah, Ga; the silver loving cup by popular sub
scription through the New York Journal. COM
81 6e o the
the silver-bound book, called the Memorial
Volume" containing the names of 1900 con-
cup; watch set with numerous diamonds, with
chain and charm, presented by the city of Bos-
ton; gold and silver watch by popular subscrip-
neapolis and the Northwest-theg gold was mined
in the PHILIPPINE Islands: an invitation in gold,
extending the freedom OF the city OF Columbus.
of 10 cents each, through city of Boston; sword
of honor, presented by act of Congress for heroic
services; invitation in gold, from G. A; r to Ad-
miral and Mrs. Dewey to Jacksonville, ILL.,, to
thirty-fourth annual encampment; numerous
gold badges card cases, scarf pins. &C.. &c.
thought what pity, after such testimony of the
love and affection the people of the. United
States had for Admiral Dewey, he should go
down so suddenly and cease to be respected as
formerly. A great many relics from the battle
ship Maine are on exhibition and thousands of
other things too numerous to mention.
went on top of the Washington Monument.
1t takes over nine minutes to reach the top by
elevator. Thirty people go up at one time. This
great shaft is 555 feet high, cost has 1913
steps to the top and the view extends 20 miles in
every direction. Over million people have
assembled and descended without accident of any
kind. lal ES
visited the Capitol; The grounds contain s.
ing to date cost $13,0O0,OOO. Two emblematic
groups stand at the entrance to the eastern por-
tico. One represents the discovery of America
and the other the settlement of America. Each
cost $4,000 AT the main entrance is the famous
Rodgers bronze door, costing $4,000 The statue
of Liberty upon the dome is a female figure in
bronze, 19k feet high. The model from which it
was cast stands in the National Museum. Con-
gress not being in session could only see the
building, the handsome paintings, statuary, &c.
went through the Smithsonian Institute
building. which takes its name from its founder,
an Englishman named Smithson, who, in 1928,
left by will half million dollars to found at
Washington an institute for the diffusion of
knowledge. The building cost $450, 900.
l went to the Agricultural Building. which
cost $4,000. The most interesting display here
Is the museum. being full of curosities of differ
ent kinds. 1t has overfowed the building and
filled large annex building in the rear-a won
derful botanical museum, containing nearly 200,-
600 specimens of North American plants and a
large exhibit of agricultural products. Near the
building are numerous Conservatives and the
seed division.
have only given a short sketch of what could
be seen in the different buildings visited; There
ent departments. OCCASIONAL.