Year: 1870

There is no one spot in Washington so well
deserving niche of its own in the historian Is
gallery as Lafayette square. The park it.
self is comparatively new, but the reserva.
tion in its chrysalis condition was a land.
mark for years, and the immediate neighbor-
hood has deeply interesting associations.
Some of the oldest buildings in the city SUR
round it. With the exception of those erect
ed on the west side of the square within the
past two or three years, and one very recent
ly completed on the east side, all the houses
have histories possessing some degree of in
terest. The square called Lafayette, though
made sacred to the memory of General Jack
sons charger and himself by the equestrian
statue of the two by Csrke Mills, which sur
mounts q circular mound, enclosed by an
iron railing in the center of the park, is GER
tainly very beautiful one. The trees,
which have now attained growth sufficient
to produce dense shade, were mostly planted
by Downing, and the arrangements of the
walks and shrubbery were in accordance with
bis taste. So much for the beauties of na-
ture. In regard to the celebrated and much
criticised statute of Jackson's horse and self.
it is worth while to know that both were made
by an Act of Congress. out of condemned
brass guns, and are fully worthy of such
lofty descent. The artist, it is said. ''pro-
cured aud trained the finest breed and build
of horses" and ''spared no labor or care in
arriving at the precise nature of his subject; ,;
Having duly arrived at his destination, he
executed it, as can be seen unto this day.
On the Sth of January, 1S53-the anniversary
of the battle of New Orleans-the statute was
inaugurated and the horse having, as we
,,,fo ,o4 Al IL. Al Il
of gravity and the bolts pinning his feet to
the pedestal, remains unmoveG in his uncom-
Portable position, pointing name and adorn-
ing tail by means Of that same balance of
gravity which has so lately become intensely
fashionable in the highest official circles. So
much for the square itself. which needs per-
haps no further explanation except to say
that in the diagram.


stands for the hench where the foreign ers lirt,


And W's the walk made of gravel and dirt.


Which last is no less perilous to the soles of
fair the damsels who frequent the park than
is the former of their hearts. In reference to
this same gravel, which is of the sharpest and
most cutting description, there have MOI been
wanting those who insisted that the Superin-
tendent of Public Buildings, who ordered it
to be used on these walks. must have been in
league with ladies bootmakers. The square
is situated in very central location. edging
on the aristocratic First Ward and West end.
1t is bounded on the north by II street. on
the south by what is known as PENNSYLVANIA
or President square, on the east by Fifteen
and a Half street. on the west by Sixteen and
Half street or Jackson place. Vermont
avenue runs out from the northeast corner of
the square, and Connecticut avenue from the
northeast corner. The White House grounds
face the southern side. There are no large
trees Immediately in front of the building or
through the central portion of the square, so
that full view of the statute and Sixteenth
street, beginning at III street. opposite the
middle gate. is to be obtained from the White
House, and fine view of the latter is afford
ed from any point on Sixteenth street. In
respect of historic interest this overmuch-
wrltten-ahout White House stands first but
because of this same overmuch scribbing it is
unnecessary to add but little here. The
guide-book says it was modelled after the pal
ace OF the Duke of Leinster, and no doubt it
Is comfort so to believe. Whatever it may
have been modelled after there is no reason to
doubt that the evil one smiled when it was
designed. and grsnned when it was complet-
ed, Knowing well that q potent instrument
tor the ruin of the wise and good he'd been
made ready for his use. For long time the
building remained in an unfinished state
within the east room, il is said, was not
completed until about the time of General
Jackson's s Inauguration. The fence inclosing
the grounds was of wood. and not always
kept IN good condition. When an iron rail-
ing was ordered for the enclosure. the work
men ruthlessly destroyed large and very
beautiful sycamore tree growing in the side
walk without the fence. and the father of Ad-
miral Goldsborough with difficulty succeeded
IN saving its companion from destruction by
forcibly declaring his determination that the
woodmen should spare that tree. The object
of his timely interference now stands and
bears testimony to his wisdom in effecting a
rcscue On the lawn immnHiatnlr IN frnnf