The Washington herald., 1906-11-08
IN WASHINGTON.


1
The widows OF army and navy officers
undergo greater agitation Of mind over
White House invitations than any other
class OF women in Washington.
There is printed every year a so-called
Blue Book-a sort of Who's Who IN the
Army and Navy-in which the names and
addresses of officers widows are pub
| llshed. This volume makes its appear
anee at the beginning Of the official sea
/ son, and is source Of neYer-ending wor-
ry to the compiling clerks Of the Adju-
tant Generals Office.
| The widows are assured invitations 20
the Army and Navy reception. a function
second only in brilliancy to the DiplO-
matte levee. Some Of them believe,
| however. that they are entitled 10 further
| consideration and, provided they leave
cards at the White House, they are a
| triie miffed II the season goes by with
out bringing them invitations to one OF
Mrs. ROOsevelt's unofficial teas or musi-
Gales.
In their eyes. husbands who have sac
/ rificed their lives In their cOuntry's be-
half, should shed brighter social luster
than the INFESTED zeal of living officers in
either branch Of the service.
A walk or drive through the grounds
Immediately south Of the White House at
this season of the year is as promising in
future Improvements as It Is Immediately
pleasant
| To those who regard the ellipse as a
sort OF pedestrian track for summer exer-
cising the granIlithic walk. IN process. OF
construction, suggests great possibilities
IN the way Of preserving white shoes and
dress skirts immaculate The walk is
laid beneath the row Of splendid trees
that encircle the ellipse, and It will be.
eventually, a popular promenade upon
occasions Of open air concerts, drills. and
ball games.
The dredging process down by the
Speedway IS also rich in promise Of a not
far distant extension Of this delightful
waterside-drive. Work is going steadily
forward and the road bed beyond the old
boathOuEe--that stands as a reproach
upon its NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. westward
with great promise Of beauty
On the opposite side Of the basin. near
the Alexandria bridge. the nurseries are
In fiourishing condition and the young
willows weep in rows and phaIanxes
Close 10 the water, where the bank is
raised in a symmetrical border mound.
the grass is as green as in June. When
Il is possible to reach this side of the
basin without touching on the traffic
road, which is a thoroughfare for heavy
tanning and dust, the new drive will be
one Of the most frequented In Washing
ton
The gardens in which the children Of
the public schools take sush active delight
are at present in a chaotic state Of up
heaval to make ready for next years
crop Of flowers and vegetables.
Not only Is plowing under way. but
great piles of pipe are ready for the lay
Ing, and with a system Of perfect surface
and underground drainage. the gardens
will be IN model condition for early spring
work
Inside the temporary fencing. builders
are at work upon the new Museum which
is erected on a line between the city
post-of1ce and the Smithsonian Instltu-
tor
Many fine and familiar trees have been
sacrificed for this modern structure OF
stone. but upon its completion, IL will be
still another in the imposing group OF
public buildings for which Washington is
famed
The greenhouses OF the Agricultural
Department and the PropOgating gardens
are at present bursting with bloom. The
yellow, red and purple Of chrysanthe-
NUNS make exquisite color patches in
81
plays outside with summer spOrtiveness.
The big raggedy blossoms have been late
developing this year. but now that they
have horticulturely arrived" they have
met with a warm reception.
The bathing beach Is the one place
along the waterway that wears a de-
serted air. The trees. which in less damp
autumns have turned 20 glorious russet
and crimsOns. are this year hung with
bedraggled foliage, too spiritIess and moist
10 fall. The vista half way down the
Seventeenth street extension, to the right.
is one Of the loveliest nature pictures in
this vicinity. The trees. that stood SEN
tinels on either side the old canal. are stiII
outlined against the sky to the delight OF
artists and all behOlders. and the water
nitely through the misty atmosphere TO
meet the low-bung clouds with utter dis
regard OF the horizon line.
Intersprinkled through the grounds are
the relics Of ST Louis. Many a figure that
sraced the exposition. and later decor
ated Pennsylvania avenue. is now rOwdiIy
fallen from its high estate A drawn
sword is broken at the hilt: a wind
blown dTapery rent; an nlustri0us coun-
tenance looks upon the world with dissi-
pated eyes. The statues hidden IN the
trees seem happier than those which lire
the drives, with the exception Of certain
swashbuckling gentlemen who have best
survived the seasons.
IN the atmosphere Of fall, the Monu-
ment stands serene, and throws its
shadow and reflection over land and
water. Il Is persistently beautiful. wheth-
er in morning. noon. or twilight. II ap-
pears never so white as now, and is
equally imposing from the head of Six
teenth street, Soldiers Home. or the Al
exandria bridge.