Canaan High School - Lasso Yearbook (Canaan, CT)

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two additions, one on either end. This is the original section of the Capitol. As you mount the steps leading up to the entry of the middle part, two large bronze doors attract your at- tion. These doors are the work of Randolph Rogers. lnside is the rotun- da, around the walls of which are S large paintings. Four of these show important early historical events while the others depict Revolutionary War subjects. The Statuary Hall is also interest- ing, containing a statue from each state. Throughout the structure large paintings and beautiful statues may be seen, most of them by famous artists and sculptors. The Supreme Court room, which is not being used at present because of the recent completion of new quar- ters, is also interesting. ln one section there is a corridor which is the long- est of any government building in the world. High above the rotunda are the marvelous paintings of Brumidi, a famous ltalian artist. The Capitol to me was the most impressive building in Washington. Willis R. Blodgett, '38 THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL Everyone has heard stories of the beauty of Mount Vernon, the impres- siveness of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, or the wonders of the museums and art galleries. How many people, though, hear similar stories of the Lincoln Memorial? To me this white marble structure was the most impressive, beautiful and wonderful of all things in Washing- I5 ton. The dignity of the approach of wide marble steps and beautiful ter- races and the thirty-six massive, Doric columns representing each state ex- isting at the time of l..incoln's death, which rise all around the building, give the first feeling of extreme im- pressiveness. On the inside of the temple is a very spacious room which contains a single object. That object, a gigantic statue of President Lincoln, stands in the center of the room against the wall. It seems to me that a person would have to stand still in awe and amazement at the first glimpse of the statue not only because of its size and beauty, but also because of the reality and character found in it. It was very interesting to note that two moods, one sad and one happy, are reflected in the face of Lincoln. On one side of the room is a mem- orial tablet containing Lincoln's Get- tysburg Address and on the other side is one containing his Second Inaugural Address. Above these tablets are two large paintings. One is Emanci- pation and the other Reunion It is my opinion that the Lincoln Memorial stands in the most fitting place possible. A large reflecting pool flanked by beautiful shrubs, lies be- tween it and the Washington Monu- ment and the classic outlines of both are mirrored at all times. To the rear of the Memorial is the new Arlington Memorial Bridge which spans the Po- tomac River as a tribute to George Washington, and is in itself, a beauti- ful piece of work. The Lincoln Memorial is truly an impressive and great tribute to a great

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judge a book. Perhaps we could read at other times, but do we? There is a tendency to neglect books since the movies have become so popular, and since the increase of radios in the home. Both of these are entertaining, but they do not take the place of a good novel. ln one of Denys Wortman's recent cartoons, a young lady was complain- ing to her companion, Didn't do nothing last night-no date and the radio was broke. So l picked up a book, and first thing l knew it was twelve o'clock. Gee, was l burned up to waste a whole evening like that! Because of this and other evi- dences, it is no wonder that people get the impression that American people are becoming lazy and are losing both the taste and the ability for reading books. Perhaps we can say that this is due largely to the ra- dio, picture magazines, and other more exciting things which demand less concentration. We can not say that Americans do not know how to read, because they do. lt can not be that books are not available, because there are new books published every year, and near- ly every town has a library. l really think that people do not know books are entertaining. We spend a great deal of time reading newspapers and magazines which are both very helpful, but there is no sat- isfactory substitute for a well-written book. lam sure that no Junior, after reading some of the marvelous novels that we are able to obtain in school, will say that reading books is a waste of time, but on the contrary will con- sider his time well spent. M. Bailey, '39. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY The Arlington National Cemetery is America's Military Valhalla in which more than thirty-thousand American soldiers are buried. On a brow of a hill which over- looks the cemetery stands the Arling- ton Memorial Amphitheatre, a white shrine of patriotism. lt is built' of white marble at the cost of one million dol- lars. The seating capacity is five thou- sand and the standing capacity in the colonnade is several thousand more. Directly in front of the amphithea- tre is the interesting tomb of the Un- known Soldier. This Tomb is also made of white marble and the sym- bolic features of Peace, Victory and Valor are on one end. On either side are three panels in each of which is inverted a wreath. An inscription fac- ing the Amphitheatre reads: Here an American God. Guard- ing the Tomb is a soldier who paces rest in honored glory soldier known but to back and forth each day and night and as one walks through the hallow- ed grounds, he experiences an inspira- tion which he is likely to remember all of his life. Frances Bate, '38. THE CAPITOL As the Capitol is approached from the front, it is very noticeable that it has three definite sections. The sec- tion in the center, that which supports the dome, is set back farther than the I4

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man and l know others will agree with me. D. Breen, ' 38 THE REAL VALUE OF OUR WASHINGTON TRIP The erection of the new Regional High School has one disadvantage to the minds of the undergraduates as it will necessitate the discontinu- ing of the annual trip to Washington. This trip is always looked forward to by the undergraduates from the first time they start studying United States History to the day they become sen- iors. It is an incentive to all students to work hard to pass each year so as to become seniors and enjoy the mar- velous trip to the Capitol of our country. Even when in the grades, studying the government of the United States was interesting, but just looking at the pictures of all the government buildings was not enough. Actually to go and to see the Capitol building of which a student hears about all his life is a thrill of a lifetime. l often wonder if everyone realizes the real value derived from this trip. Perhaps the idea that the student body is trying' to raise some money through their four years of high school may sound foolish to some people, but if these fsame people could only go along on the trip with a class they would agree it is well worthwhile for the students to raise this sum. It is al- so the idea of some people that the seniors consider it just one big plea- sure trip and go only to have a grand time. Of course, the trip does not en- tirely consist of studying and gaining facts, for we always have a great deal of fun. A friendlier spirit is created among all the students and there is a closer relationship established ,between the teacher and the student, who together visit and study the museums, the Cor- coran Art Gallery of world famous paintings, the actual workings of the government, visiting historical Mount Vernon, and viewing the beautiful Lincoln Memorial, more beautiful than ever in its picturesque setting of fra- grant land brilliantly colored cherry blossoms. After standing together be- fore the tomb of the Unknown Sol- dier , impressed by the thought of one of many who sacrificed his life for our nation, we can not help but return home with a truer conception of the value and the meaning of the word citizenship. Margery Beebe, '38 THE SMITHSCNIAN INSTITUTE One of the most interesting things in Washington, if not the most inter- esting, is the Smithsonian Institute. This museum has just about every- thing one would expect to find in it and more besides. That which im- pressed me most was the original Star Spangled Banner about which Francis Scott Key wrote his famous poem. Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis has a prominent place near the en- trance and near it are the clothing and other equipment which he used when he first crossed the Atlantic in this plane. Another attractive exhibit is in the interest of sanitation. Various types I6