The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-22
Washington the CAPITAL City.

The author Of this work. Rufus Rockwell
Wilson, demonstrated his ability as
writer of light and sketchy history by the
publication some time ago of "Rambles in
Colonial Byways." His taste seems to lead
in the direction of investigating and re-
cording minor incidents of history which
acquire double interest from their connec-
ton with great events and great person
alities. In Washington the Capital City"
hA tells in a very pleasing and interesting
way the story Of the federal capital from
its first location and foundation to recent
times. BY this is not meant its municipal
or plainly local history, but that part of its
history which naturally and closely con-
meets itself with the history Of the Nation
and the growth of the Republic. During
the hundred years OF its existence Wash
ingtOn has been the political center OF the
Republic the birthplace of parties and leg
islation, the training ground and forum of
one generation after another OF public men.
The author seems 10 have kent this fact
constantly in mind, and while sketching
the rise of Washington from wilderness
hamlet TO one of the most beautiful capitals
in the world he has also portrayed the
political growth and development of the
Republic. The book is In no sense a his
tory of the United States, or even of Con-
gTesS, which met several years in other
cities before the capital was located at
Washington but as a description OF the
orioir "a 5oy-oIc,S,,ar,+ - 49, a;+y- 80
its changing characteristics during the CEN
fury OF existence as the seat of the ma
tiOnaI government it is very complete. In
carrying out this idea the author gives a
lively and interesting account of many of
the most prominent men who have figured
in the political or social life Of the capital
Presidents, Cabinet officers, judges, sena-
tors, representatives, foreign ministers, mil
itary men, iou rnalists and of the wives of
many of them and of the social life of
which they were a part. 1t is a long call
from the Washington OF 1900 when Mrs
Adams found 1t impossible to keep
in the half-tinished White House and hung
up washing to dry in the East room, and
when the streets We're scarcely more than
horse paths across lots, TO the magnificent
city of to-day The different phases and
periods in the growth of the city in the
and since the war were marked by social
and political conditions that afford MANY
striking contrasts and throw instructive
sldellghts on the growth OF the Nation
itself. A charming feature of the book is
its wealth of personal anecdote in the col
lection of which the author has shown un-
usual industry, and for the relation Of
which his smooth narrative style is pecul-
iarly well adapted. He says i'm a preface
that the book is the result Of wears of
preparation and many months of exacting
labor, and considering the detailed char
acter OF It's contents, one can easily believe
this The text is aided by number of
interesting illustrations including some
early views OF Washington never before
reproduced. The work makes two substan-
tial volumes, in which there is not dull
page. Philadelphia: j. B. Lippincott & Co.