THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 329 



at last vanished. The old system of schools gave way to the new 

 and in 1876 Washington for the first time had a high school. Its 

 Baptist college, now Columbian University with 1,000 students, 

 dates from 1821, while the Jesuit college in Georgetown is yet 

 older. 



The unique character of Washington and of its attractions 

 steadily grows. Little by little with passing years men and 

 women so circumstanced that they may live where they will 

 select Washington for a home. The opportunities it affords for 

 much of all that makes life attractive have been well expressed 

 by one who has come to abide here : " Four years in Washing- 

 ton to one who will take what may be had for the taking, 

 much less the asking, is equivalent to a college education." 



GEOGRAPHIC WORK OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT 



By Henry Gannett, 

 United States Geological Survey 



The United States is engaged, through the agency of a num- 

 ber of bureaus and departments, in extensive geographic work, 

 both within its own borders and in various parts of the world. 

 The results of this work are embodied in maps, charts, and re- 

 ports, which furnish a vast amount of information ; indeed, 

 these form the principal original source of information regard- 

 ing the geography of the United States in all its aspects — topo-. 

 graphic, climatic, geologic, biologic, and industrial. Many of 

 these reports and maps are furnished free, while others are, 

 under the law, to be obtained only by purchase. 



The following are the principal bureaus and departments 

 which are engaged in geographic work : 



Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

 Hydrographic Office, U. S. Navy. 

 Engineer Corps, U. S. Army. 

 Geological Survey. 

 General Land Office. 



Weather Bureau, Biological Survey, and other divisions of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 

 Smithsonian Institution and its dependencies. 

 Fish Commission. 

 Light-house Board. 

 Bureau of American Republics. 

 Intercontinental Railway Commission. 



