Evening star., 1901-05-04

only disappointment aud to seem almost
ludlcrouSlN III contrast with the vast prOmi
nence of the Capitol, The only appropriate
use OF tins monument would seem to be
10 make II an accessory to a lofty perist vie
or colonnade extending across the front
OF The Capitol grounds, taking i'll the Peace
ana the GARFIELD monuments. and broken
DE q line arch or gateway opposite the en-
trance TO the Botanical Garden. This could
also he made a hall of memorial statues,
ana while it could not obstruct the view
of the Capitol from distance, would give
Il dignity to the immediate approaches to
1t which is now lacking
An instance OF line architecture lost to
We" by being placed along the line of
VISION instead of intercepting it is she for
mtr United States post office buildng-one
OF the ilneSt examples of the Corinthian
order anywhere to be seen, and vet hardly
strihins The notice of any one. BY what
strange irony of fate is this beautiful mar
DIE building practically rendered Of no
account as u feature of the adornment of
Washington while the successor to its name
towers up in cold. severe ugliness to be
seen from every point and to be a lasting
disturbance to any harmonious archltac-
tirdl treatment of the avenue? ExamDles
OF Nistas pleasantly interrupted are al of
our avenues crossing the circles adorned
with equestrian statues, but it is to be le-
gretted that these Statues are so numerous
as TO have lost already the quality of dis
JUNCTION. ana II IS also to be regretted that
III place OF the Single-tigure monuments at
| sure to have a diminutive look, there could
not have been placed ornamental fountains
with high playing jets-a style of ornament
couspicuously wanting in a city so beauti-
iuliy adapted to it as this city Is. The mis-
take of putting a fine ornament out of the
me OF vision rather than in it Is the Bar
thoidi fountain, now lost to view in the
botanical Garden How much more ef-
IectiFe as an ornament to the city would
this be If placed on one of the trIaneles at
fenhsEiNanla avenue and 18th street espe-
cialE II q companion fountain could be
placed on tn" other space
One of the finest instances of interrunted
vista in Washington or anywhere else
within the writer's observation is that look
ing west from the junction of Iouisia ma
aEehUe and 9TH street northwest, COM
inandlnS, as it does, the Hancock mon,1-
I:.tnt, Il picturesque square and opening
| OF streets, the Washington monument and
| the flne sky line of the Virginia hills in
the background Instances of architecture
pieaslnglN InterruptiEg the vista are
tho Sc of the beautiful view of the south
| p"rtlco of the treasury from the avenue
thc treasury colonnade as seen from F
| street and above all that Of the noble doric
| portico of the patent office at it stands
| boldly out into street. view sure to
| impress with delight every visitor to Wash
| mston, however insensible to its singl,-
| lar beauty We residents may have become
| through familiarity. Finally there are
| those examples of nobly terminated vistas
| which believe are nowhere in the world
| tAttlitu. IL etndltd-tne views of the Cap
| Itol when approached at n distance from
| Maryland avenue northeast and from New
! Jersey avenue northwest. 1t is great ad-
| vantage to have at the start such a superb
cchterplece as this for any general plan of
| Washington's adornment.
! IL Is TO be hoped that the Carnegie Ii
| hrdry building viii present a pleasing in
| terrnption to the view on Massa chusetts
| avenue: that some day We shall see monu-
| mental groups OF civilians and playing
FOUNTAINS alternating at least with the
generals on horseback. who now own the
/ CITY; and that. speaking of general adorn-
| ment, We may see that most conspicuous
and imposing site still remaining available
the one. namely, occupying the block be-
| tween T. street and Pennsylvania ave-
| nue. on 18th street northwest and
now devoted To conspicuous advertise
| mehts - may be utilized for some ma
| tionai assembly hall or music or art
| gallery OF the architectural beauty worthy
| of the site. and more suited to be so con-
! spicuous an object in the capital city of
| America than announcements of the yir-
| tues OF advertised articles
FRANK SEWALL.