Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-06-03
The March OF Improvem snt.

n gOOu 1nQlcaCOn Oh the mhrCu VI improve
ment in Washington lie afforded by the new pri-
vste residence erected on street, between l4th
and 18th streets, by John w. Thompson, Esq,
gentleman who In various ways is doing much
TO advance the interests of the city.
This handsome mansion Is built on the modern
composite style, embodying what experience
and taste have shown to be most convenient in
arrangement and beautiful in design. Ii is
three stories high, exclusive Of basement, As
feet wide by SO feet deep, and has brown stone
walnut and deliberately ornamented. The
osubule doors are made of American,
French, and black walnut, veneered on pine,
the upper pannels being hlled with French
plate auc embossed glass. The basement floor
Is divided by hall 81 feet long and feet 6
inches wide. On the right is a spacious and
land onely finished billiard room 80 feet long,
~ feet 8 inches wide there is also on the same
floor store-Toom of the same dimensions az the
billiard room, a fuel cellar, furnace room, wine
cellar; laundry, pantry, water closets, ash pits,
Above the basement and on the first floor is
the parlor, drawing room. library, dining-r room
snd kitchen. The doors leading TO these rooms
from the hall are made OF rosewood, and French
walnut veneered, while the m0uldiDgs are filled
In with ebony. The parlOr and drawing room
are on tie LETT OF the hall. The psrlor is 81 feet
inches long and IL ieet inches wide; back of
the parlOT, and communicating by sliding doors
corresponding in style and finish with the main
doors, is the drawing room, which il A feet
long by % feet wide; 4 border runs round the
floor of the drawing room, inlaid with damon is
of oak and walnut, and IN the center of the floor
- large diamond, irlaid with the same mate
rial. 7 tie pier glass frames iu the parlOr and
GTawiT g-roOms are veneered with rcrewoO1,
black and French walnut. very elaborate
carved rs are also the supporting columns The
tops of tire frames are surmOunted by figures 81
Cupid, carved in walnut, aad urns with win IS
ar wreatbs OF flowers. The effect ia rich aud
tasteful. The mirrors are of elegant French
Hate, I feet inches by 9 feet. The win;io "a
correspond with the doors, and are SO CON
s'ructed as to form the CoTEice for the curtains
underneath. On the righG of the hall lie the
library and dining room. They are OF the same
size as the psrlor and drawing rooms. Passing
through the sliding doors, the space being
occupied by china closets, Tetiring-T room,
wster closet, wash stand, &c, You enter tae
dn'ng ROOM The msntel in this line room is
similar in dtsign and finish 10 the one in the
library, but the eve IL at once arrested by tne
handsome bOuf'et. It's marquetiere work UNIQUE
ara delicate carvings, &c, combine in tue
richest effects. The base is divided into three
compartments, the doors OF which are inlaid
VIII rare WOODS In natural and delicately stained
colors. The center PANEL Includes a vase or
pitcher, the body OF which is of wood I'm blue nd
geld. The base is surrounded with vines from
which hang white and purple grapes, and with
All manner OF tempting fruits aud beautitpl
flowers. The picture tells the whole story Of
Mount Fsiernus and the wine Virgil loved. Ths
other PANELS are only little less elaborate in
their nnish. The Pilasters supporting the boat
are inlaid and ornamented with fruit. Above
base are three more compartments. The two
out ide ones are closed and their psnneIs inlsid
with classic heads, birds, fruits and flowers
The center compartment is open and again
divided into three, which are backed by mirrors
Its upper part Is sUTmounted by an elegant
vase carved in walnut, inlaid with fruits md
flowers, and surrounded with wreafhs. This
bouftet was all maze in Washington by the
architect, Mr.. j. q. Meyers.
The pA Tor, drawing room, library aud di-
ming room are so constructed that by means Of
The six large sliding doors they can be thrown
literally into one room, afording the amplcst
space tor receptions, parties, &c. The hat-raCk
In the hall corresponds in size, style and finish
with the doors, and has in the center a French
plate mirror, five feet by nine. The hall stair
way forms an o. e., and winds into a geornet-
Ilcal stairway. The rises are pauneled with
black walnut and birds eye maple, while tho
steps are of black walnut. The newell is eigh-
teen irches in diameter, octagOn in form, richly
carved, and veneered with French walnut and
ebony, and surmOunted by an elabor ately carved
cap.
The second story, right front, has a chamber
IL feet by p, and hack of this another II feet by
- feet II ches. The space between IL occupied
ty linen closets. wardrobes, bath rooms wash
stands and v alter closets. On this eide and over
he kitchen is the bOusekeeper's room. On the
the left Of the hail are front AM back chambers
similar in size and finish with those of the right
OD the third story there is a hall dressing room
10 feet by 10, and front chambers on the riclt
and left OF the hall II feet by % feet inches.
and back OF these chambers II feet BY 81 feet q
inches with an intermediate chamber in the left
10 feet ty 10. Each ard all Of the chambers
above ard below, have separate bath room
wardrobe, washstand and water closet
In the front OF the house are two large bay
WINDOWS 81 one in the rear. The stone work
y Fashioned after the elaborate des Cns furnished
by the architect. TIE following were endowed
III the construction Of this fine cdiire:-Archi-
tect and builder, j. G.. Meyers; rnasous Hickey
* Thornton; p!ssterers. Stafford K King; brown
stone work, Bradley & Son; all OF Washington
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