The union Democrat., 1870-07-09

1
moved thither after he was shot. But thi
distinction has been merged. en- account OF
more recent tragedy, into that ofbeing known
as the Seward hcnse. Il was here Mr.. Sew
ard lived during the eight years ef his presid
ing over the State Department., and it wa
here the attempt was made to assassinat,
him at which slime his son was also so Sc
verely wounded, and his lovely Young ceugh
ter received the shock from which her sensi
tive temperament never recovered. IN this
house she was, for muny months after the re
covery of her father and brother, a patient
invalid, slowly but surely dying OF a e0nsum
ing disease. The illness and death of tha
young girl. who, with 50 much to make lift
happy yet met the destroyer with percec
faith and resignation. from the beautiful
while pathetic CHAPTER in the history Of the
house. Strange to say, it is not a gloomy
place. This past winter has seen its large
rooms closely hacked with the sayest people
in the city. The receptions there given by
the Secretary of War and Mrs. Belknap were
remarked as beirg specially merry and enjoy
able. barring the discomiorts one must al
WAYS experience at crowded parties.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ogle Tayloe live next this
tragic house. Mr.. Tayloe built his residence
and has occupied it for very long time.
On the next corner appears Mrs. Madison 5
I old home, in which she held her little court
after her husbands death, until her own oc-
CURED, about twenty years ago. Various i'm
provements, fresh paint and plaster have
| greatly altered the mansion. No one would
suppose it one of the ancients of Washington.
Nevertheless. so tits. Mrs Madison's sister,
Mrs. Colts grandmother of Mrs. Judge Doug
las, now Mrs. Williams.) was one oe its oc-
cupants before Mrs. Madison herself resided
there. 1t is she, however, who gave it ecldt.
In her parors political enemies met MS on
neutral ground. 1t was the custom always
on New Years day. and other state occasions
to call on Mrs. Madison after calling on the
President, and opponents and supporters of
the ruling powers alike were welcomed by
her. She was wonderfully popular, and her
memory is reverenced by those of her friends
who survive more deeply than commonly
falls to the lot Of bellies in society. Her tea
parties are mentioned as features of the past,
and at them were seen some of the most cele-
brated men and women of the nation. She
was pre-eminently lady of the old school,
quiet and eyceedinginly dignifed in her man.
ncrs, but never naughty or supercilliors
Since her death, Commodore Wilkes has liv-
ed in her house THE same who captured Ma
som and Sldell.) Its last occupants were
Mr.. and Mrs. Chanler, of New York. who
have recently vacated it. Down Vermont
avenue stretches the Arlington hotel. Mr..
Sumner still retains his residence on the
coruer, but the Arlington surrounds it on the
side and in the rear. The main portion of
this hotel is an ampli6cation of the two Eous-
es in which General Cass lived and gave mag
nifcent enterments during his term as Secrc-
tary of State under Buchanan. On tie one
side Reverdy Johnson's house is taken in as
= wing of the hotel. and General and Mrs.
Fremont have beautiful suit of rooms
on the second floor; on the other. all the hous-
es of Radical row, except Summers and Pome-
roy's, are attached. This row of fine resi-
dences was put up by Mr.. Kennedy, former
IL of Albany, and was dubbed Radical row
because the two Senator'S before named each
purchased one of the dwellings, and Nye
promised to take another and did not
w. w. Corcoran's castle as one might be
tempted to call it, stands near the last named
building, and extends to the corner of Con-
necticut avenue. ltis composed of red brick,
with brownstone facings. and is separated
from the street by a railing of green and
gilt. The house is tall one, and has
wing on either side one story in height The
interior of this house is feast for the ewes.
The picture gallery on the left is filled with
choice painting, and the parlors op the right,
and the library in the wing beyond, and the
dining-room across the back of the house. are
all perfect in arrangement, and are filed
with costly furniture and gems of art of every
description. This also is not new house,
though the additions and alterations made bv
Mr.. Coreoran are comparatively of recent
date. Mr.. Swan. the father of Ex-Governor
Nf hill
occupied it. General Gratiot, whose daueh-
ter married Count Montholon, Minister from
France to this country few years ago. also /
lived here. Aaron Vale's family were once
its inhabitants. Mr.. Packineham resided |
here when be was British Minister, and ma
ny are the stories told of his entertainments.
lie kept open house, and made his parlors
the rendezvous of the young people. Tab
leaus were much in vogue at that time, which |
was about the date OF the Mexican war, and
lady tells of the young officers she had seen
taking part in those brilliant life pictures,
who In few short weeks were lying with |
rigid, upturned faces on Mexican battle-feds.
Previous to this time it must be recorded that
Daniel Webster resided in this house. Mem
bers of the party he served so we'll bought it
and presented it to him, and when he after
ward sold 1t much surprise was manifested. I
The grounds belonging to the dwelling are
beautiful in the extreme. They extend back I
TO | street, and indeed over the entire block, /
only leaving room for the Sldell house and |
the vacant lot adjoining. A high brick wall |
incloses the garden and shelters it from the
street. The inner side of this wall is COM
pletely covered with ivy. Flowers cf all
kinds. but particularly roses. bloom here in
the greatest profusion. Large and beautiful
trees, neatly trimmed lawn, fountain and
fish pond. obseryatories, picturesque Sum-
warehouses, and croqust ground. conpIete
the list of rural attractions of this snot /
which is SO secluded as to make one forret
while enjoying it that it is in the center Of =
large city. During the war, while Mr.. Cor.
coran was residing abroad. the families of
successive French Ministers took charge of
his house for him. Nine. de Montholon in
TINS way came again to the former home of
her father. Sne reigned over the beautiful
place IN .queenly style, and gave one ball at
least which will long be remembered for its
in the annals of Washington
festlvities.-Neac York World.
A. IL