|
"The Jewish Messenger"
Jan. 24, 1862
WASHINGTON. The city of Washington necessarily attracts more attention at this time,
than at any previous season. It is thronged with strangers, the hotels and boarding houses
are full, and a fair proportion of the "old inhabitants" find themselves
dispossessed, and forced to put up with rather confined quarters, in order to accommodate
the additional residents of whom Washington boasts.
The number of Israelites quartered at Washington and its vicinity (exclusive of those
in the army) cannot fall short of two thousand. As an evidence of their presence, there
are, at least, half a dozen kosher Restaurants, all of which
appear to flourish to the satisfaction of their proprietors. At one of them in particular,
about dinner hour, there were some forty guests seated at the same time, and on their
departure, an equal number ready to take their places. Many are the commercial
establishments, conducted under names familiar to a New Yorker. All departments of trade
seem to be favored with a full representation from the metropolitan district.
The Synagogue, belonging to the "First Hebrew Congregation of Washington,
D.C.," is located on G. Street, above 12th. It is a spacious room on the second story
of a building, and will accommodate about two hundred, we should judge. There being at
present no regular minister, a young man, named [Samuel] Weil, conducts the
services. He has a pleasant voice, and his style of reading is not too pronounced. We
observe he has introduced some changes in the Minhag-- whether they are conducive
to increased decorum and devoutness, we cannot say. The portion of the Prophets is read in
German, and certain parts of the liturgy are omitted. The prayer for the government [Ha
Noteyn Tshuah] was likewise, by some oversight, forgotten. Strange to say, they still
retain the selling of Mitzvahs [auctioning of the aliyot], which did not add, on
our opinion, to the solemnity of the service. Otherwise, the congregants conducted
themselves with marked decorum, and there was a pretty good attendance. It is a great pity
that the congregation of Washington should not be enabled to support a competent minister,
qualified to deliver discourses in the vernacular. It would lend additional interest to
the proceedings, besides improving the religious status of the Israelites there.
We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Fischel,
who was convalescing, having had a severe attack of fever. Mr. M.S. Cohen, and others, of
New York, several co-religionists rejoicing in the titles of captain and colonel, etc. in
addition to the celebrities with whose presence, of course, the city was graced. The Dr.
had somewhat overexerted himself in visiting the camps and hospitals, which cover an area
of some miles in circuit, and had been quite ill. He was, however, recovering, and almost
able to resume his daily round of visits to the sick and wounded.
Mr. Adolphus Solomons, (of Philp & Solomons, whose place of business in
Pennsylvania Ave. is the resort of the men of letters, for whose accommodation they have a
costly "study" attached to their store), extended us the hospitalities of his
house; and we passed a pleasant Sabbath with him, and his good family. We were pleased to
find Mr. S. doing so well at the capital, especially as he is one of the very few
Israelites there who observe the Sabbath.
The public buildings at Washington justly absorb much of the stranger's attention. The
Capitol, with the new extensions, is pronounced equal to any structure of the kind in the
world, and certainly, if beauty and harmony of design and exquisite taste in execution,
are capable of lending a charm to an edifice, erected on a commanding position, with all
the advantages that modern art and improvement can contribute, the structure in which the
National Legislature and Judiciary holds their sittings has been singularly favored, and
will ultimately, when entirely finished, more than please the eye, and gratify the pride
of Americans.
The Patent Office, with its rich treasures of interesting relics and myriads of
evidences of skill and inventive genius, the Smithsonian Institution, with its splendid
collections of Natural History, Minerals, Indian remains, Ethnological Galleries, Chemical
apparatus and Books, the Treasury Building, White House, Post Office, Navy Yard, Monument,
and all the other objects of interest in which Washington abounds, well repay an extended
visit.
Crossing into Virginia, you have the various fortifications thrown up secundum
artem, the many encampments, and grand features of natural scenery, together
comprehending a landscape which one is seldom permitted to witness.
Of course, the characteristics of the Capital just now are warlike. All the
paraphernalia of an army greet you, and you can well realize the actual presence of war,
however doubtful you may be of its existence, while promenading Broadway. The city appears
to be under strict military rule, mounted sentries guard each corner, officers and
soldiers are subjected to the necessity of showing "passes" and even civilians
are marched through a double file of bristling bayonets on entering, and leaving the city.
If we should hereafter be enabled to see Washington again, we shall not fail to recall our
visit in war time.
|
