The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-05-04


This was a grave misfortune both
for the individual and for the beauty
of the street. There was plenty of
vacant land to the north and north
west of this, and so the wealthy re-
fused to pay the enormous price asked
for these old houses and vacant lots,
and built their palace in new-cut
streets, and SO you find them today
not confined to one beautiful street
but identifying all parts of the West
End.
So rapid, however, is the growth of
Washington taking place, so many
wealthy citizens of other cities have
built and are building here magnifi-
cent homes, that this old picturesque
ness is fast passing away, for the class
of people who are building these
homes will pay any price to remove
these old delapidated houses with
their Objectionable neighbors from
their sight; and the time will soon be
here when the perfect beauty of the
city as seen from the heights will be
repeated as you walk along the streets.
Still these views from the heights
possess a subtle charm, and Wash
ington is fortunate in possessing a
number of places where one can arise
from the level and look down upon
the city or, better still, view the city
from distant hill, not too high or
far away but bringing all things
within proper perspective.
Nearly all are familiar with the
view from the Washington monument.
sos feet above the city one looks down
upon and into the heart of the city.
This is interesting and beautiful
when the eye takes in the lovely slop-
ing, rolling hills that surround the
city.
From the Soldiers Home to the
east of the city one looks upon the
city from a distance. This view is
eliptical, and though beautiful, one
feels apart from the city, not of it.
That from the old historical mansion
of the Lees on the hilltop in Vir-
ginia, is also beautiful, but the city
sits too low, and it loses its beautiful
surroundings of lovely hills.
The perfect view of Washington is
from the hilltop at the head of six
teenth street. From here the city
spreads out like fan, and opens up
before you like perfect panorama of
beautiful streets, avenues and build
ings. You are not too high, you are
not too low, nor yet too far away.
In the center of the scene arises the
monument as though it lifted up and
held suspended the canopy of heaven,
that one might peep beneath and see
the city of cities, the Capitol of the
United States, stretching out in SYM
metrical beauty at it's base.
To the east the hills of Maryland
forming misty purple background
for the golden dome of the Congress
sional library glistening in the sun
shine, its torch-like apex a beacon
| light rejecting the glory of the know
ledge stored below-the enlightment
of the ages.
A little to the west of this the white
dome of the Capitol is seen; grand,
solemn, reposeful. What though
raidiating from under that mighty
roof hundred of metal arteries are
reaching far out over land and sea,
ready at moments notice to set
every bourse and exchange vibrating
and able to convulse the political and
financial centers of the world, this
regal stately dome, towering above
sculptural columns and lofty pedi-
ment, shines serene and calm, and as
one gazes upon it and remembers the
intellectual giants who have wrought
out their task, and those who are
shaping the destiny of the nation,
the doubling heart grows calm and
filled with confidence, and beats with
pride and patriotism and faith in
our country.
Looking beyond the monument one
sees the broad Potomac like yellow
sash of some fair southern maiden;
and in the distance the dim outlines
of the historic old Alexandria. A
little to the west the white columns OF
the White House portico shine through
the vista of tall green trees. Then
one notes the pointed spires of the
churches, the turrets of the tall build
ings, the white marble building where
the building of the nation is being
performed.
Only one high building-an apart
ment house-mars the beauty of the
magnificent panorama, and all rejoice
that the building regulations have
debarred others from erecting sky
scrapers in Washington.
Over to the west the Virginia hills
arise to greet their sisters of Mary
land. A little more stately, little
less dim, amidst their green trees, one
sees the top of the riding hall of Fort
| Myor op6 uhop Tho Iox, 90 oloo. A. .