Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-04
ECHOES FROM THE CAPITAL.
Fine Houses. Old aud New. for Wash.
iBgton SOctety-The Wealth of Oar
Omeial Families

some Of our architects all Of whom are buSilv
Senators and officials,, in order 10 come 20
some understanding OF the average public
mans fortune and his interest and investment
We have here half a dozen good architects.
each with pronounced style. Fraser, OF Phil
adelphis, who built the Union League villa
there, has settled in Washington, and Is now
Eutting up the residence of the British Lega-
ton and many oSher stylish homes.
TIE NEW HOUSE, OF the BRITISH LEGATION
VIII pe the largest private edihce in Washing
ton, built Of brick laid in black mortar, aud
with stone trimmings. The British govern
ment Is more desrous of having a large estab-
ishment than one either costly, substantial, or
ornamental They will spend from $50 600 70
$50 eco, including the cost of their lot, which
Is three quarters of an acre. The house itself
VIII be ll6 by l02 feet, extreme grand dmen-
sions, with plentiful bays, verandas, and a
porte COchsrs in front The building will be
three stories and basement in elevation. the
basement ten feet in the clear, and the upper
story in the mansard roof. The British arms
will be placed over the main portal. The lower
floor comprises vestbule and large open stair
way within, which will also be a waiting room
on the right will be the library secretaries
offices, audience rooms, and dining saloon. To
the left Of the entrance lie the much larger
apartments for receptions SC. Comprising tirst
parlor, then salon, and finally a noble draw
ing room, looking out on piazza. Bed cham
bers are in the English style, with provision for
royal or noble guests who may occasionally
visit the city. Cedar is used plentifully Tor the
wardrobes and linen closets. The whole con-
lister next November The basement walls are
nearly up at the present time.
THE NORTH GERMAN LEGATION
owns two houses here, marketable at the pres
ent time for about $50 200. The minister is a
bachelor, and therefore not sollcitous for a
larger establishment, but it is expected that
Germany, France, and Russia will all build
here, as members of their households have been
making inquiries of the real estate agents 10
just in the rear of the new British Legation
is the celebrated
PAGoDA OF SENATOR STEWART
of Nevada, which he will occupy in a short time.
II will cost, with the ground about SO, 900, the
house standing the proprietor in s65,000. The
bold assumption and novel style OF this resi-
dence have subjected il to much criticism, but
there is nothing to complain of in its proper
tons or elegance; and while, as the first inno-
walton upon the old fashioned styles of states
mems residences, it eNetes surprise, there will
probably be more stunning houses TO succeed it
when We throw off our proyincialism and allow
human taste and variety TO prevail even with
public men. Mr.. Stewards house is a very tail
square building, three stories and a basement
| high, capped with large lantern or cupola.
and fronted with a saucy tower somewhat like
castle-tower, with a conical steeple on the top
| Of the tower, lit with sharp dorTner windows,
| while great twisted piece of gilded metal,
| which is lightning-rod, vane, flaming sword,
| ana everything that is startling, burns at the
| top of the wigwam. The main portal is at the
| bottom of this tower, and is dignified with
| porte ccchere. There are bays and columnar
| porticoes attached to the house; a large music
| room is buttressed against the rear; and the
brick stable is Inconveniently near the nostrils
| OF the tenants, and is Itself quite prominent
| object
| THE PRESIDENT
| OF the United States, who has at present no
| other known property here than a house now
| occupied by Judge Macarthur, announces his
| intention OF fixing his permanent residence in
| Washington city, and he will buy and build
| here. lie will be the first President since John
| Adams to take that interest in the capital a
1 superior place of pleasurable abode. Il was
| Gen. Grants intention to settle in St. Louis on
| his retirement; but he has felt the contagion of
| the social changes of Washington. General
| Washington bought property here in the be-
| ginning in three different places, and built two
| houses, whose counterparts exist on Capitol
| Hill as hotel not yet rented, and owned by
| Admiral Wilkes, who has 500 90 worth of
| property here. The Adams estate formerly
all which had been held up TO the present period
turned out to be valuable.
| If We take up
TIE JUSTICES AND JUDGES
| of our courts we shall see what proportion of
| them feel confidence in Washington real estate.
Chief Justice Chase's country seat on the edge
of the CITY is worth $50, 900. Judge Swayne has
| a fine residence on Franklin square, worth
$4,000. Judge Field owns one of the three
houses which constituted the Old , Capitol
| hanged-worth So, 600; said to have been pre-
sented to him by his brothers. Judge Strong
has recently purchased a house from ex-Mayor
| Berrit, worth $4,000. Judge Bradley has
| bought the old Douglas property, next door 10
General Sherman, worth $4,000: and opposite
to this house. Douglass widow, now Mrs. Gen.
| Williams owns fragmeEtary square valued ar
sl00 900. Three Judges OF the Court of Claims
| Loring, Peck and knOtt-own comfortable resi-
| dences, the property of the latter in Georgetown
| worth $4,000. OF the United States District
| Court four judses-CaTtter, Macarthur, Olin.
| and Wyle-all have good or new houses aud
Judge Wylie's property in the District is esti-
mated at 100000.
| Williams has new house which he has just
| built and occupied at a cost of SJ0,O05, and MS
L rsal TO n hara mi, his nu
| ment in the District to 800 900. General Bel
| KNAPP has purchased lot on Scott square, and
| VIII put up new house for his new wife IN The
| spring, TO cost S.5 OOo. Secretary Robson has
| secured lot in ex-senator Cattell's tract and
| Will build in the spring. Cattell's property in
ground is worth $4,000: Secretary Delano has
| bought three lots near Franklin square, and ac-
| cepted design for the residence he proposes
to erect Mr.. Creswell owns house on /
| street worth SIS, 900, which he has just had en-
| larged and mansarded, and his wealthy uncle,
! Jacob Tome, is said TO recently have given him
surprise party. Mr. Fish lives in one of the
houses belonging to ex-senator Morgan, Of
| New York, who made a timely investment in
Washington property, which is now worth
100000. Caleb Gushing, Mr.. Fish's familiar,
has about 100000 IN property in the District and
| farm near the Great Falls OF the Potomac.
1 Among
| who have made investments here may be mem
| toned Quartermaster General Meigs, whose
house is only oBe-third of the 500 900 in prop
| ertNwhich lie owns in Washington. The widow
| property. General Babcock has several pieces
| of ground. and he has put mp part of a block
| near the War department. Captain Patterson,
| of the Coast Survey, has the estate OF Brent
| wood, on the edge Of the city, which his wife
inherited, all of which will be valuable in time,
and is worth not less than 500, 900 to-day.
| General David Hunter has a $4,000 home.
| Admiral Porter has 500 900 invested in his
new residence, stables, and grounds. Admirals
Goldsborough. Bailey, Lee, and Almy have
| new and delightful homes. General Joe Holt
| owns fine old villa on Capitol Hill which he
| has thoroughly rehabilitated. General Myers,
| or "Old Probabilities" is rich, and is about to
| buy and build here.
| Ofthe
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
| past andipresent, who have bui, ded amongst us,
| the following Is a partial list
General Schenck, elegant mansion and other
| property estimated at 500 600. Roscoe Conk-
ling just sold his house for $50 900, bargain of
100 per cent. and intends to build at once on
Rhode Island avenue, opposite the Attorney
| Generals. Senator Sargent, designs accepted
| and house to be begun forthwith. Senator Ora
gin, considerable Investments in Capitol Hill
| property. Samuel Hooper, of Boston, owns
| residence for which he has refused $1,000,