By the plans the public buildings of the future will be arranged around Capitol Square (which has now two sides occupied by private residences), and will then extend on both sides the mall, or flat, low-lying district 1,600 feet in width, extending from the Capitol building to the Potomac, a distance of one and a half miles, and inclosing the Washington monument. The buildings are all to be of white marble, harmonious in design, and with a standard sky-line. The latter feature is not pleasing in effect in the model. The Pennsylvania Railroad will give up the location of the present depot, and join with the B. & O. in a union depot near the site occupied by the latter.
At the front of Capitol Hill will be Union Square, where the statues of war heroes will be grouped. The streets from that point to the Washington monument will have four rows of trees on each side. A great theater, gymnasium, lakes, fountains, and baths will remind one of ancient Rome. A magnificent memorial to Abraham Lincoln will be placed south of the Washington monument. Obelisks and arches which have been used as memorials from the earliest ages will form part of the ornamentation. People smile over this wonderful design, but if from now on all public work is done under this intelligent supervision even one hundred years may make the dream of these artists a glorious reality. Not a lamp-post will go up in this new day, not a business sign will be displayed without the approval of this art commission.
Designs for private houses as well as business houses must be made to harmonize with the landscape and other buildings which already exist. “May we all be here to see.”
Among the buildings and objects of interest which can not here be fully described, nor their histories elaborated, is the Ben Butler building on Capitol Square, where President Arthur made his home while the White House was being repaired.
There is also the old Capitol or Capitol Square (now numbered 21, 23, 25), which was used by Congress after the British had destroyed the Capitol in 1814. These buildings were used as a military prison during the Civil War, and here Wirtz, of Andersonville prison memory, was executed. In one of them died John C. Calhoun.
CHARLOTTE CORDAY
(One of the paintings in the Corcoran Art Gallery)
The Washington monument, nearly six hundred feet high, is said to be the highest monument in the world. It was erected in memory of George Washington. This grand structure is of pure white marble. From the top there is a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The monument, however, has suffered from the disintegrating effects of the weather, and from the ruthless hands of the relic-hunters. The majestic appearance of the monument grows upon the beholder, and its pearly whiteness reminds him of the character of Washington, which grows fairer in the mellowing light of history.
Arlington Cemetery should be visited by the pilgrim to Washington. There sleep many of the sacred dead of the nation, and there is the home of Robert E. Lee, where he was called to decide between his country as a whole or his native state.
Around Lafayette Square, which faces the White House, history, poetry, romance, and chivalry have twined an immortal wreath. Every monument commemorates a hero. Here, too, is the old private residence of Dolly Madison, the old home of the British Embassy, where Owen Meredith wrote “Lucile”; also the Webster home, where once lived the French Embassy; and St. John’s Episcopal Church, where many Presidents have worshiped. Here Webster, Sumner, and Slidell lived at different periods. The old Decatur house stands on this square. The Admiral had a window cut through, so that he could signal the President in the White House. They missed the telephone. On this square lived Diaz, of Mexico; here Don Cameron and Blaine each lived in the same house, now occupied by Senator Hanna. On the north side is the handsome residence of Secretary of State John Hay.