Journal of a Tour in the United States, Canada and Mexico (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... 308 CHAPTER XXV. Washington (District of Columbia)--Corcoran Gallery of Art--Smithsonian Institution--National Museum--Capitol--Mount Vernon. AT last, far from "on time," the train-bell began to clang, and about 1 a.m. we reached Washington, and the 'bus of the " Arlington" rapidly conveyed me to that excellent hotel, where my baggage was safely awaiting. January 17. Brilliant sunshine and blue sky, and a mere powdering of snow, the air quite mild--a most welcome change; and joyfully I proceeded, after an excellent early breakfast, to look round the immediate neighbourhood. The " Arlington" is situated within two minutes' walk of the beautiful square in which the " executive mansion of the President of the United States," commonly called the White House, stands in a charming small park full of trees and flower-beds, on a height commanding a grand distant view of the gigantic "monument," fine public buildings forming two sides of the square. Then, at 9 a.m., to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, close by, which includes a grand collection of bronzes by A. L. Barye, a room full of casts from the antique, the " Greek Slave," a lovely white marble statue by Hiram Powers; and in the picture gallery many fine examples of the Barbazon and other French schools, and many oriental vases of great value. WASHINGTON. 309 I returned to the hotel for luncheon, and then hurried to the Smithsonian Institution, at a considerable distance, between the monument and the capitol. This handsome pile of many-towered, red-stone buildings, stands finely on a hill in a beautiful park laid out with fine trees and gardens, and was named after its founder, an English Mr. Smithson, who had never visited America. Its varied collections are full of interest, especially the archaeological--its ...