Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Sunday Dec^r 27^th 1863

Congress has adjourned over until the 5^th of Jan’y and many of the Members have gone home to spend the Holydays. Christmas has passed off pleasantly. It was a beautiful bright day on Friday and appeared to be enjoyed by all Classes. I walked up to the Capitol in the forenoon to take a look at the East front. The North Wing East Portico is approaching completion and when finished will be a splendid sight. I should perhaps say when the whole East front is completed, as the South wing is to be finished in the same style, and then it is proposed to remove the old East Portico of the Main building and replace it with one projecting forward on a line with the Wings and in the same Style of Architecture. When that is done the East Front will be truly Magnificent. The Dome is nearly finished (outside). The workmen are now removing the scaffolding around the figure of Freedom which surmounts it. The head and shoulders as I can see from my window now project above the scaffold. This week it will all be removed. The great Bronze Door betwen the old chamber and the new “House” Chamber attracts much attention as a work of Art, it is unsurpassed of its kind. I made several “calls” on Christmas day but felt rather lonely withall. Julia is at Fort Simmons still staying with Mis Co^l Welling & Daughter. I spent the evening at my son Cha^s playing Chess with him. Mr Woodward was in their room part of the evening. “Egg Nog” and cake was plenty. We had a fine Christmas dinner at my boarding house, Dr Munsons. I ought to say my dining house as I only take my dinner there. I breakfast where I room. One of my old friends of the Patent office, Mr Strother, called upon me yesterday at the office. He has just returned from Idaho where he has been mining the past year in the mountains, spending most of his time at “Virginia City.” He gives glowing accounts of the gold resources of that region. Were I a few years younger I should be disposed to go back with him in the spring. This is a rainy sunday and I have not been out to church this morning. This afternoon I must visit the Stanton Hospital. I am sorry I did not do so on Christmas, as Mr Stanton (the Secy of War) was there and I would have brot John Peters to his notice and got an order from him to allow of his being mustered as an officer. Yesterday Julia and Miss Jamie Welling came down to the City from the Fort in the Fort Ambulance and poped into my room in the Pat office about noon. Julia had picked up a pet on the way in the shape of a large Newfoundland dog who she said “put his paws on the steps of the Carriage and asked to ride looking very tired.” They took him in and he was quietly sitting in the Ambulance when I waited on them on their departure. When Julia sat down the dog laid his head on her lap as though she had been his best friend looking up into her face and probably wishing to say, “I am truly grateful for your kindness and wish to be your attendent and defender as long as I live.” He was a noble looking fellow but belonged in Georgetown and had strayed from his master who has probably recovered him before this as the girls intended to leave him in G. on their return. Julia only staid in Washington a few minutes, only long enough to call upon me and thank me for her Christmas present which I sent her on that day, a little tortoise shell box to put her breast pin and earrings in.