Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-09-27


public, excepting on the Sabbath On esch
Saturday afternoon the Marine band diseourscs
It's music here, and the elite of the city. foreign
and domestic, concrcgaie tn chat, show their
toilets and fir. Just enough ufthe latter to keep
the reunion from being dull. Usually the presi-
deut, the Cabinet, and the Foreign Ministers
ana their wives may be seen here thousands
Of ladies' and pretty children, most bewiiching-
ly dressed, make up, with the sprinkling OF
gentlemen 4 scene Of beauty and attractvencss.
which preemnenIly one Of the institutions Of
Washington, and 70 be met with nowhere else
in The Union.
These grounds have a street running in the
rear, which divides them from another and
much larger inclosufe, which stretches down to
a portion Of the river and canal This last
square contains some ten or fifteen acres II
has been within two years judciously laid out
and ornamented with shade trees and shrub
berry there is a very hne drive, sefpeniine,
which extends mile and more in its windings,
and IS. 10 proper weather. quite fashionable
drive, especially for ladies'. Ligh, iron and
rustic bridges are 10 span the canal and connect
this with the monument grounds, the plan OF
ornameniing which was made BY Downing, and
will be put into execution as soon as an appIO-
priation is msde by Congress.
The Executive mansion is a pure specimen
OF Roman Ionic order according to Scamozzi,
the capitals OF the columns have four CORES
ponding faces.
The building is l66 feet in length. co feet
high on the north front, 73 on the south. aud
s. feet vide. The south front has a poriico
semi-circulsr, with pediment and eniabulaiure,
supported By SIX Ionic columns this side Of
the building siands upon ruslicaied basement,
and is oraamenied by lsn Ionic piisslers, with
semi-eapiials between the openings.
The north front has porieo so feet wide
BY 40 feet IN depth the stone flooring is divided
near the exterior by earriage-~ay. The CO.
tabla,vre is supported by eight Ipnie columns.
and with four semi-eolumns against the wall Of
the house. The main entrance is by high
ly ornamenied doorway, which leads into TO
large vesibue, As ieet wide by 20 feet in depth.
Until the commencement OF the present Admin
istraiion this was dark. gloomy, place at the
back are four columns Of marble. dividing Ibis
main or entrance hall from the hall leading from
The East Room to the smaller rooms between
with two doors. and sosue veiy common look
ing sash anu glass. The ceiling was white
washed, and at either end was very, very
old. fashioned mantle. On the advent Of Mr.
Pierce S30.0 was appropriated for the White
House. and Mr. " alter vas directed 10 sug-
gesi the Necessary changes which he did, aud
his suggestions we're adopted. and Will be men
toned as We describe the various rooms. The
wooden panelng has given way to 4 Light,
graceful. airy iron screen, with ground glass I;
the ceiling has been freseoed with suitable de-
vices, and new modern maniels supply the pla-
ees Of the old ones. The wooden box which
formerly inelosed the doorway has also been
removed, and replaced by light iron structure
At this eniranee stands, at all times. the door
keeper or assistant. lie is the Lord High
Chamberlain Of the blue stick, and always
knows whether the President can see the appli-
cant or DOT, aud discharges his duties as high
functionary on the household staff with sort
Of suarifer IN no4e. forfIfer in re.
Turning n the left YOU enIer short hall,
from which the stairs leading 10 the upper sio-
ny are constructed crossing this hall, you en-
Ter the celebrated Fast Room, which, said Mrs
Adams, in letter to her daughter, written i'm
mediately after her arrival in Washington, in
1900, was an excellent place for drying clothes
in wet weather. 1t is, howeser very snowy
ronm now, and for lis asss could so4isaly ba
improved. Il is 70 feet in length by 30 in width
aud 10 feet in height. The ceiling is frescoed
with artistic skill, and calls forth admiration
from all who look at il. The carpet, which is
Of the richest pattern and with pile unsnr-
passed, is in one piece. without seam, with a
rich border, and weighed 1000 pounds; the
centre is oval, extending two-lhirds the length
Of the room. There are three large cui-elass
penden, chandeliers. The maniles, Of which
there are four, are of fine marble, and Of novel
and beautiful patterns over each, As well as at
either end OF The room, there are French mir
rors Of gigantic proportons-large euuugh, we
should think, to reflect a regiment at once
( The drapeTies, carpet, chairs and tables, and
fresco. all harmonize, aud are strictly in keep
ing. The uses Of the Ess, Room are various:
during the winter, at the Presidential recep ions,
the guests or visitors, after greeting the Presi-
dent pass on 10 this vast place, and soon cir
Gle Of pronenaders is formed. Standing on the
edge Of the circle, you will see Foreign Min
islers, grave Senators, Cabinet officers, Con-
gressmen, officers in full costume, and, as the
programmes Of Fourth Of July professions say,
lastly elizeas and strangers" Ladies go ia
! full costume, and as the light is strong, the
, surroundings good, and the audience large and
distinguished, it is a most desirable place 10
display alike the beauty Of person and costume
and few Of the fair daughters OF our Republic
/ lose the opportunity. In fact, the mixture oi
the different styles Of beauly-the warm-blood
, ed, dark-eyed, impulsive Souihron; the blue
} eyed. fair-skinned. graceful, and Intelligent
Nonherner The whole-souled, dashing West
: ern woman, with her heart 10 her eyes; the
: Spanish. French, and South American ladies
! the rich costumes, the sparkling diamonds
5 the simple rosebud in the lair Of young mai
dens, the tone and reputation Of so many of the
, male portion serve 10 make The scene aurac-
tive and remarkable. In summer, when large
parties, including ladies' call upon the Presi
. dent, he usually receives them 10 the East Room