Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-06-25

JoTTINGs BY THE wAYsIDE.
Rambler in washington, D. c., No. 4

NHmDIcf IN WuShtnBtOus Ds Us NO. =,
Ed. JOURNAL Leaving the Navy
Yard and entering street car, which pas
ses the Capitol building into Pennsylvania
avenue and thence west one and one-balf
miles, we arrive At the so-called White
House, which, in olden times, was styled
the Presidents House or Executive Man
sion. II is situated near the north line OF
Reservation No L. known as the Presi-
dents Grounds, which contains nearly
eighty-one acres. OF this twenty acres are
private grounds, beautifully laid out in
walks and adorned with the choicest orna-
mental trees. shrubs, flowers and fine foun-
tains. Here the Marine Band meet every
Saturday afternoon during the summer and
discourse sweet music Two gateways from
avenue on north connected by semi-circu-
lar drive and sidewalks, lead to the north
portico or main entrance. This portion Of
the grounds is also laid out in walks and
parterres, with large fountain in the CEN
ter. The house is no feet long by SO feet
wide, two stories high, built Of frec-stone
and painted white. The main entrance, 40
before mentioned, opens from the portico
on the north into a spacious vestibule or
hall 40 feet front and 90 feet deep. A
screen Of exquisitly designed glass d-
vidcs this hall into two unequal parts. On
the walls within the screen are the por.
traits Of Presidents John Adams, Van Bu-
rem, Tyler, Polk, Fillmore and Pierce.
The east or reception room, is open daily,
except Sundays, to visitors; is 40xSO
feet and % feet high. The walls are rails
ed paper, glded and painted gray drab
The ceiling over head is divided into three
ponnels, varied in pattern and painted in
oil. The woodwork throughout is beau-
tifully carved, pure white and trimmed in
gold. Eight large mirrors adorn the walls,
two on each side and two on each end.
The window curtains, trimmings and fur
niture for the same are in keeping. Pass
ing from the screen through the center
door the visitor enters the Blue Room, 80
by 40 feet, n brilliant apartment, elabor-
ately finished in blue and gold, without
crystal with a splendid reflection. On the
mantleare pair of French vases, of superior
design and workmanship. In this room the
President receives diplomatic ministers,
&c. Adjoining on the east ia the Green
Room, finished and furnished in color cor
responding in name and used as a sort of
private parlor. The portraits of Washing
ton, Jefferson, Fillmore and Lincoln adorn
the walls. On the west of the Blue Room
Is the Red Room also finished in keeping
with the others This room is also fam
lily parlor, but used more frequently than
the Green Room. On the mantle in this
room is fine gilt clock, presented to
Washington by Lafayette and pair OF va
sea presented to Franklin in Paris, one of
which represents his residence at Passy and
the other the environs of Passy, and n
large painting of Washington by Stuart.
During the war of 1912, when the Eng
lish set fire to Washington, one of the col
ored servants of President Madison cut
this picture from the frame and took it
with him IN their flight from the city, thus
saving it from destruction. Each of the
last two named rooms are 20x30 feet.
| From the Red Room door opens into the
State Dining Room. 30x40 feet, with din
ing table to accommodate thirty six per-
| sons.
| At the west end Of the corridor is the
Billiard Hall and large Conservatory.
In the northwest corner is the family din
ing room, pantry, &C., On the second floor
the east part of the building il occupied
by the Executive Office and ante room.
On the south side is the Cabinet Room,
from which can be had a splendid view OF
the Potomac.
The appropriations for erection, repairs
&C., of the White House from 1900 to the
present time are S1,700,000.
Judging from the countenance and the
frequent display of pearly white teeth o
the "colored gemman" in charge, though
he must have been very much amused ir
passing from room to room with one like
your humble correspondent, who was rear
ed in the back woods, as he observed with
what astonishment the visitor would gaze
at the splendor of those costly apartments
the dazzling beauty of the furniture, &c
In short felt almost ashamed of myself il
the presence OF that august parsonage who
had the honor of sweeping the President
rooms and busting the sofas and chairs, tc
realize how little l knew of the rules Of ct
iquette and formalities in receiving and en-
tertaining visitors among the official digni
taries of the world AS took my departure
from this spacious mansion of gaudy dis
play, thought of these words in the gooC
old book "Vanity of vanities, saith thu
preacher, all is vanity"
To be continued by
RAMBLER.