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tents, and stands, for the accommodation of spectators; and the Committee ordered stands, or platforms, to be erected, for the orator of the day, the President of the United States, the heads of departments, officers of the Society, and members of the Board of Managers, the Grand Master Mason, &c.; and also triumphal arches to be built, one at the bridge on 14th street, and one near the foundation of the Monument, which were handsomely decorated. On the lofty arch on the south side, through which the masons entered, was placed a live eagle forty years old, which had hailed the advent of General Lafayette to Alexandria, and which has since been presented to Mons. Vattemare, to be deposited, upon his return to France, in the National Museum of Paris. The scene here presented was magnificent. The whole plain was covered with human beings. The vast sloping amphitheatre of seats exhibited an unbroken sheet of human countenances, expressing a deep interest in the ceremonies of the day, while over the whole the banner of the Union, spread and displayed by the willing breeze, seemed proudly to extend its ornament and protection. "It afforded one of the most beautiful subjects for the pencil which painter could desire. The surface of the mall is undulating, and the whole of it covered with green sod, now fresh from the recent rains. The heights were occupied by groups of carriages of every description, by booths with refreshments, and by the various erections constructed for the display of fire works. As the space was ample, the crowds that had been confined in the streets here burst abroad, and spread and scattered themselves in all directions. From space to space arms were stacked and guarded, while all along the grassy slopes ladies and gentlemen, citizens and soldiers, on foot, and on horseback, strayed about in the cool breeze and bright sun, seeming to enjoy their existence. Further down was the seat of action. Here, in a hollow spread with boards, and surrounded with seats, a crowd began to gather to witness the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone, and to listen to the addresses with which it was to be accompanied. Around two sides of this space were high and solidly constructed ranges of seats, hired out to spectators, covered with awnings, and affording a favorable position for seeing and hearing."
To a member of the Building Committee was assigned the duty of collecting the articles to be deposited in the corner-stone when laid.[1] Among these were two beautiful Daguerreotype likenesses of General Washington and Mrs. Martha Washington, by Mr. I. S. Grubb, of Alexandria, the former from the last original painting ever taken of him; by Sharpless, in 1796, at Mount Vernon, and the latter from one by the celebrated Robinson in 1790. Both these originals are in the possession of Mr. Custis, of Arlington. This gentleman was also an invited guest on the occasion, and he and Gen. Walter Jones accompanied Mrs. Hamilton, relict of Alexander Hamilton, now in her 91st year, and her daughter, Mrs. Holly, to the ground. Mr. Custis brought with him a sword presented to him by General Washington, with the date 1775 inscribed on the blade. The copper-plate, engraved by D. O. Hare, and presented by him, contained an inscription of the names of the officers of the Society and members of the Board of Managers, &c.[2]
The Board of Managers assembled at their office prior to the departure of the procession, which began to form in front of the City Hall about 10 o'clock.
The military mustering ground, which was well selected in one of the openest and most elevated spots in the city, being the junction of two broad avenues, and
