The west colonade is finished in a style of unrivalled beauty; it consists of ten vast columns. But the columns which are to form the colonade for the east, portico, are objects of great admiration. They are brought by water from a quarry of freestone about thirty miles below the city, and are very large, weighing eighteen tons each. They are brought from the wharf by the workmen, without the aid of horses, upon a strong carriage, made for the purpose-and an hundred men pull one with ease. This is quite a frolic for the men; and sometimes the members of congress will turn out in the evening to assist in pulling "the big waggon," as it is called, and join in all the pleasantry to which the novelty of the thing gives rise. When the column arrives at the capitol, it is cheered by loud huzzas from an hundred voices. The cost of the two wings destroyed by the British, was $290,000. The centre building, which comprises the rotunda and the great centre dome, will cost $400,000. The rotunda is supported by forty-four columns.

When congress adjourns* for the session, one half the city goes into mourning, and the other half shout for joy. The first, it will naturally be guessed, comprise my old friends who board the members, (and perhaps a few of the fair sex,)-the latter are those who are re lieved from a most oppressive market.

Gen. La Fayette.-I cannot take leave of Washing+ ton, without bestowing a few remarks upon our illustrious guest, whose visit took place while I was there. His arrival in the United States, so soon as it was known in Washington, was announced by the artillery of the navy yard, and the whole city rung with acclamations of joy. Meantime the citizens were divided into companies, distinguished by different uniforms, and kept in continual training, with a view of receiving the General with military honours. The newspapers furnished daily accounts of his movements, and long before he arrived we

*I omitted to state, in the proper place, that when Congress asseme bles in the morning for business, the national flag is hoisted over the capitol. and remains so till they adjourn in the evening, when the flag is taken down and so on through the session.

had the La Fayette ribbons, La Fayette waistcoats, La Fayette feathers, hats, caps, &c.; every thing was honored by his image and superscription-even the gingercakes were impressed with his name, and nothing was heard, either in the streets or in the houses, but La Fayette! La Fayette!

At length we were gratified with his presence; crowds of men, women and children, flocked from the country, from Alexandria, from Georgetown-the houses in the city were left empty-every one hastened, at an early hour of the day, either to meet the General, or to secure some convenient place from whence they might behold him. The capitol was crowded to overflowing, and the capitol square, large as it is, was covered with a countless multitude. 1, with several others, seated myself in the third story of the old capitol, near the street through which he was to pass, and in full view of the whole fete. Twenty-five young ladies, dressed in white, each with a flag in her hand, took their stations near the arch which had been erected for the occasion, at the east entrance of the square. Twenty-four of these represented the twenty-four states, and the twenty-fifth the district of Co lumbia. Besides these young ladies, the pupils of the different schools formed a line from the arch to the capi tol, through which the General was to pass.

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An elegant carriage, drawn by six horses, was dispatched to meet him, while the military, and a vast number of citizens, repaired to the toll-gate, a mile from the city, to await his arrival. As soon as he passed through the gate, a federal salute was fired by the artillery, and shortly afterwards a cloud of dust proclaimed the General's approach; but so great was the throng around him, that I only saw the necks of the horses that drew his carriage his horses were led by six gentlemen on foot, distinguished by red sashes. The crowd, particularly those on horseback, who were from the country,, rudely pressed upon the General, to the hazard of his safety, until the marshals drew their swords and dispersed them. His arrival at the market-house, (which had been adorned for the occasion, and upon which a living eagle was perching,) was proclaimed by loud cheers from a thou

sand voices. Here the General alighted from his carriage, passed through the market-house, thence through the arch, where he was addressed by the daughter of Mr. Waterston, a little girl of ten years old, who represented the district. She addressed him in prose, expressing briefly the prosperity of the United States since. his first visit to America, the deep sense they retained of his services, and the joy his present visit afforded them. The General bent an earnest ear to what she was saying, took her affectionately by the hand, and passed on to the capitol. As he proceeded, the young ladies waved their flags over his head, and showered flowers and jewels upon him. At the capitol he was received under the tent of Gen. Washington, and a federal salute proclaimed his arrival. He was covered with dust, and the warmth of the day, with the fatigue he had undergone, nearly overpowered him. He asked for water, when Mr. Dorset hastened to procure it; but so great was the throng, that it was impossible to get near him, until the civil authorities interfered, and even then the gentlemen were obliged to hand the water from one to another over each other's heads. After receiving a welcome address, delivered by the mayor, the troops passed in review before him, accompanied by a number of fine bands, provided for the occasion. The appearance of the troops was in every respect worthy the first city of the Union. From the capitol the General was escorted to his quarters, (Franklin-house,) by the Washington Guards, the city authorities, and committee of arrangements; on his way he was saluted by the different companies of artillery; and at 5 o'clock he sat down to a splendid dinner, (prepared by Mr. Gadsby,) in company with the President of the United States, the heads of department, foreign ministers, officers of the army and navy, and other distinguished officers of the government, besides a great number of private citizens. The day was one of the finest I ever saw, not a cloud was to be seen. In short, I could fill a volume with the honours paid to this illustrious hero at Washington alone, to say nothing of his splendid reception in Georgetown and Alexandria.

It must be observed, however, in justice to the citi

zens of Alexandria, that they greatly surpassed us, particularly in good order; the crowd was kept at a respectful distance; the shops and stores were ordered by the Mayor to be shut up, also the grog shops; no carriage was suffered in the streets; and business of every sort was suspended. Nor did their attention to the General end here; a centinel was placed at his door during the night, that his slumber might not be interrupted; and total silence enjoined throughout the city.

In 1820 Washington contained 13,474 inhabitants, and 2,141 houses.

Georgetown.-Georgetown is situated on the Potomac river, above Washington city, and north of it, (the river running north and south.) It is also on the Maryland side, and separated from Washington by a large creek, called Rock Creek, over which are thrown three bridges. Georgetown has a romantic appearance, being built mostly on hills. It rises up from the water's edge and spreads out in all directions. The streets, which are few and narrow, are paved with stone.

On the top of the hill, at the extremity of the town, stands the Georgetown College, two stately buildings of brick. It has a handsome square in front, planted with trees, and commands an extensive view of the Potomac, Washington, and the surrounding country. I found the Rev. Mr. Baxter, President of the college, playing at ball with the students; he seemed to enter into all the glee and innocence of their juvenile mirth. Mr. Baxter is a man of middle age, good size, and handsome per. son, and captivating manners. He very politely conducted me through the college, and gave me all the information I could wish on the subject. It has a library attached to it containing 9000 volumes. Whilst we were in the library, I looked through a window which overhung one of the finest kitchen gardens in the country. "You take a few of the good things of this life then," said I, pointing to the garden; to be sure," said he, " why not?" I was struck with his reply"why not ;" and why not truly. This college was founded in 1799, and richly endowed; it is called "the

Roman Catholic College ;" and contains from 100 to 150 students. Every branch of education is taught here; all the professors are Roman Catholics.

Besides the college, they have an academy, and a seminary for young ladies, which is also under the dominion of Roman Catholics; and wholly under the direction of the convent; the pupils being taught by the nuns. All denominations send their children to this seminary, which is much celebrated for its salutary regulations.

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Convent of the Visitation.-From the college I went to the convent; my curiosity was wrought up to the highest pitch as I traced the uneven streets leading from the college to the convent. I felt what Addison said, viz: every thing new or uncommon raises pleasure." I had often heard and read of nuns and convents; but now I was to be gratified in full. It is no great ways from college hill; Mr. Baxter pointed it out to me, and keeping my eye upon the steeple, a few minutes brought me to the door of the convent, at the west end of the town. Here, as directed, I opened the door without knocking, and entering a small passage pulled a bell, which brought a nun to the inside door, when I informed her of my business; she directed me to step into a small room on my left, which she called the " speaking room." After waiting here a few minutes two other nuns approached, on the opposite side of an iron grate, which separated them from the world and me! I had however a full view of them; they drew up close to the bars, saluted and conversed in terms of the utmost sweetness and condescension. Amongst other things, I asked them "if they were happy;" they both replied very happy, would not exchange their present situation for any earthly treasure ;" and they looked so.

Having heard that Catholics look upon all other sects as heretics, I asked them if it were true; no," they answered, "God forbid that we should think so; we believe there are many good people who are not of our religion." One of them had been in the convent eleven years, the other eight; and in all that time they would not have left it if they could; they have the op