The Inauguration [pp. 236-240]

citizens grouped around inn doors, public edifices rhetoric; and refined minds learn to hate anew
of substantial architecture and a frame building the coarseness and bigotry of partisans, and phierected for a national ball-all indicate the un- losophers the narrowness of a statesmanship acfulfilled destinies, the utilitarian instincts and at quired in the practice of venal casuistry-where
the same time the boundless promise of the re- the most generous and profound'easoning has
public. All that meets the gaze in Washington, often thrown new light on questions of vital imexcept the Capitol and the Departments, seems portance to humanity. The foundation of the
temporary. The city appears like the site of an long-delayed monument to him of whom it has
encampment-as if it were adapted more for a been so admirably said, that "providence made
bivouack than a home. Stone ramparts and him childless that his country might call him fagrated palaces immediately announce to the tra- ther;"-the slowly-rising walls of the Smithsoyeller abroad, an ancient seat of power; here nian Institute, the vacant panels of the Rotunda,
every thing whispers of "brief authority" and the sculptured deformities on the eastern front
proclaims that the officials of every grade are for of the Capitol, and the very coin, freshly mintthe time being only servants of the people. ed from California gold-awaken that painful
Some fine copies of Claude give a mellow sense of the incomplete, or that almost perplexwarmth to the parlor of the friend with whom I ing consciousness of the new, the progressive
sojourned; and the bare walls of the EastRoom of and the unattained whichis peculiar to ourcounthe Presidential mansion, look more desolate from try.
the contrast. They should be adorned with na- It is indeed wonderful to contrast our immense
tional pictures. With such painters as we now territory with the seat of government, and with
boast, this would be an object of easy achieve- the ceremonial and magnificence of the most
ment. Itis to be regretted that Washington was petty court in Europe fresh in the memory, to
ever incorporated as a municipal town; as the note the simplicity of our political arrangements.
property of the country it might have been filled The richly caparisoned steeds and gaudy footwith handsomeresidencesforambassadors, heads men, the splendid uniform of the soldiery, the
of departments, and other officials, at the expense line of thronged ante-chambers, the formal anof government; and it would thus have become nouncements and prescribed costume that rena compact and picturesque metropolis. As it is, der those scenes memorable to a transatlantic
the houses tremble from roof to cellar beneath spectator, are all wanting here. When we rethe gay steps of the dancers; we emerge fromn fleet upon the idea in the abstract, there is a sublighted rooms glowing with " fair women and limity in this apparent superiority to external
brave men," into mud and darkness; hacks are blandishments as emblems of authority. Patriindispensable, and a clean promenade, a rare otism thus recognised, islike religion when cherluxury. It is one of the striking peculiarities of ished as a sentiment. The feeling seems adeAmerica, that her Capital, which, in every other quate to its own realization, independent of
land, is the centre of refinement and external form, as if the essential greatness of free instiluxury, is the least significant, of all her cities, tutions obviated the necessity for any outward
of the state of civilization. Yet, here are gath- demonstration of rule. It is a lesson both for
ered the trophies of mechanical skill; here are the conservative and the radical of the old world
breathed the noblest strains of eloquence; here to witness such a scene as was presented at
originate the laws; and here annually congre- the ex-President's final levee. Let us remember
gate the wisdom and beauty of the land. To an that in three days, the highest office in the gift
ardent republican, however, all this betokens of the people is to be resigned, that the lady
the triumph of his favorite principles. He will who, with such dignified urbanity, receives the
regard it as a proof that the interests of office salutations of the throng, is dispensing her graceare secondary to those of general prosperity, and ful hospitalities for the last time, that hundreds
that its agents and locality are not suffered to ab- of hearts in that vast assembly are thirsting for
sorb the benefits designed for the whole people. the emoluments and distinctions of office;-and
In the National Institution, like nearly all of then contemplate the order, propriety, self-reour scientific and literary establishments, asyet in spect and good-feeling with which greetings are
embryo,-sea quadrupeds from the Arctic Zone, exchanged! Observe, too, the "infinite variety"
birds of rare plumage, the coat in which Jack- of classes, dress, manners and character, and
son fought at New Orleans, the rifle of an Indian where else on the face of the earth, could such
chief, plants, fossils, shells and corals, mummies, elements be brought together without an array of
trophies, busts and relics, typify inadequately physical force to subdue and regulate them?
natural science and bold adventure. Cruikshank Yet group follows group, the heiress in her silks
might discover new hints for ungraceful atti- and diamonds hard pressed by the servant-maid
tudes in a hall consecrated by the triumphs of in calico, the snowy cap of an old quaker lady
The Inauguration.
237