Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-24

The "LoUIsE HOME IN WASHINGTON
The following sketch of one of the noblest chari-
ties in this country, and In the world, is from
the Washington correspondence of the Chris
tian Mirror, of Portland:
The Louise Home" is haven and resting
place for elderly ladies of gentle birth, estab-
lished by the munifcent liberaity of Mr. w.
w. Corcoran and at an expenditure of but lit
tie less than two hundred thousand dollars, be-
sides the cost of annual support Mr.. Corco-
ran is now in the ripe and golden years of three
score and ten
He has, by thrift skill, aud prudent bold
ness, accumulated great fortune. For some
years he has mourned the loss of his wife and
only daughter, both bearing the name ofLouise.
And when he would build a fitting monument
to embalm their memory, it came that this
Home grew up in his thought, and was then
begun and builded. Now it stands high and
stately on one of the most slightly places in the
city. and is massive In proportions and talr IN
all architectural graces. A wide space all
around gives ample room for light and air, and
beautiful gardens near by add at once to the
charms in the sight OF The looker-on and the
happiness of the inmates
The cheerfulness and beauty of the exterior
only betoken what may be found within. The
furniture throughout is as handsome as would
be chosen for private house. The table equip
age is in beautiful taste. Even in the parlors
piano, games, and books are supplied with
most thoughtful care. Then there are some
sixty private apartments for the use OF the ln-
mates of the house, some OF them arranged! IN
suits of parlor and bed room, the others being
simply single rooms. They all have windows
on one of the four fronts of the building, and
are large, light and airy, and amply provided
with heat and thorough ventilation An ele-
vator helps the sick or aged or infrm to mount
the higher stories. The rooms being ranged
about the sides and approached from galleries
on the inside wall, there is afforded a large
quadrangle in the centre of the building, and
this being covered by glass roof, gives, on
the main floor. on the lower story, a large apd
charming space for walks exercises, or recrca-
ton. This arrangement OF rooms is excellent
Tor Individual privacy and for all purposes OF
inspection and domestic regulation.
The table is not extravagantly spread. but is
simply supplied with everything needed for the
delicate and variable tastes OF the inmates.
While it ranks among our public charities, yet
the conditions thrown about the adrlittance OF
inmates makes it only measurable public In
stitution. The aim is to provide for old ladies',
women of good family, education and refine
ment. who, by any adversely, are obliged to
find some help for decent and accustomed
support. No fee is charged for ad mission.
The inmate is at no expense for board or any
thing else besides, excepting, of course, cloth
ing and such personal affairs, and the regula-
tons for the Home are most simple. The IN
mates are requested to be punctuai at the three
daily meals-a certain tidiness OF dress on com
ing to meals and in appearing in the parlors or
public rooms is also requestcd-and to be IN
the house before o clock In the evening. In
devising these brief rules there has been the
most tender regard for the feelings of those
who may seek the rest and comfort OF this
home.
i. PENS AND THEIR MANUFACTURES. The
death of Mr. Joseph elliott, the celebrated IN
ventor and manufacturer of the steel pen which
bear his name, has called forth interesting re-
miniscences of his iife His business career is
one full of encouragement and instruction 10
obscure and penniless youth shining exam
pie to them of the rewards OF patient industry
and integrity Fifty years ago he commenced
work in a garrett. He dies a millionaire,
leaving an honored name and one which, In the
present generation at least, will ever be asso-
ciated with the knowledge and love OF letters
The total number of steel pens annually
manufactured at Birmingham is one thousand
millions, The first gold pens were made by
Levi Brown, matchmaker of Detroit, IN 1885
Failing in his native town, he removed IN
ls4O to New York, where he achieved reputa-
tion and success. The pens we're at first cut
into shape with scissors from thin hat strip
of gold. Mr.. John Rendell, four years after
wards, invented machine for their manufac-
ture, which has since undergone many improve
ments,
Quill pens are still manufactured for some
old-fashioned or eccentric folk. Literary men, NJ,
it is averred, chiefly affect the goose gull,
not from any particular. sympathy or mental
conformity with its classic bird which produce
it, but perhaps for its association with the orll
liant literature of the Augustan age, and be,
cause. moreover, to it alone, in an exact and
material sense can be applied the splendid
sentence of Bulwer's Richelieu. The pen IS
niphtier than the sword Racfm0nd Wing.
A New York LAwYER.-A New York let
ter saws of Stokes lawyer: 'John Graham is
not a genius, but, as the slang is, he is thun-
derine smart. He has studied up our jury sys-
tenn to dot. He is no orator, has harsh,
grating voice, and is the most lll-tempered and
vulgar man at the New York bar; but ne just
hits the nail upon the head every, time ne
wishes to impress his point upon the twelve
Intelligent men before him. lie worries WIZ
nasses contriving to malign their characters
without introducing witness to asperse; then
threatens to spank opposing lawyers, and
reads all kinds or ilLmannered lectures to the
Judge upon the bench. This is Just the he, klnd nd
of thing to impress New ! ork jury selected
according to medi9 usage.
pprp.Rrp Corn CoBs.-A very convenient
l;ndl;np wood is made in France from corn cobs
hr immersing them in mixture Of sixty parts
~ ~ melted resin and forty parts Of tar after
wh;ch % thew are taken out and allowed to dry
Thew are re- then subjected to second operation
which & co consists in Spreading them out on me: !,
tallic nlate heated to 2l2 degrees Fahrenheit;
They are Finally assorted according to SIZE and
tied up in bundles These are sold Ct the raae
of three or four for cent. The establlshmens a
in Paris for manufacturing them employs tnlrty
l go aGaata Gales 10 the amount on