40 THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



' Tis held that sorrow makes us -wise, 

 Yet how much wisdom sleeps with thee, 

 Which not alone had guided me, 



But served the seasons that may rise ; 



And doubtless unto thee is given 



A life that bears immortal fruit, 



In such great offices as suit 

 The full grown energies of Heaven. 



And love will last as pure and whole 



As when he loved me here in time, 



And at the spiritual prime 

 Re-waken with the dawning soul. 



On the Base of the Pedestal is the following : 



THIS MEMORIAL 

 Was erected under a resolution passed at Philadelphia, 



in Sept., 1852, by the 



AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



of which Mr. Downing was one of the 



original founders. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, President. 



The whole monument with its granite plinth is nine feet four inches in height, 

 and cost $1,600. 



Joboeh 



From the top of the highest tower, a magnificent, and by far the finest view of 

 Washington and surrounding country is presented to the spectator. The city ex- 

 tends from northwest to southeast about four miles and a half; and from north- 

 east to southwest about two miles and a half. Its circumference is fourteen miles. 

 The avenues, streets, and open spaces, contain 3,604 acres, and the public reserva- 

 tions 513 acres. The city is encompassed by a fine range of hills, forming a 

 natural amphitheatre and covered in part with trees and underwood. 



The following are the principal objects that present themselves to the view : 



On the west is seen the Washington Monument, which has now reached a height 

 of 175 feet. Further on, is seen the National Observatory, which is two miles 

 from the Capitol. Georgetown, with its churches, college, &c., are seen in the 

 distance to the northwest, and nearer are the President's House, the Treasury 

 Department with its colonnade, on the right, and " Winder's building" used by 

 the Pension Office and by bureaus of the War and Navy Departments, to the left. 



Columbia College may be seen on one of the most commanding eminences of 

 the hills at the north of the city, and a little to the east the marble tower of the 

 new U. S. Military Asylum is plainly visible. The tall and beautiful steeple of 

 the 5th Baptist Church, and also the spire of the Catholic Church, will be ob- 

 served in the north. 



