The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-04-12
THE WHITE HOUSE.
A Description of the Executive Mansion-Its
Furniture, Grounds, Etc.
{" Fay in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Furniture, Grounds, Etc.
[''Fay" in the Louisville Courier-Journal.]
Having for some years been familiar
with the interior of the White House, [
feel disposed to correct some of the Cos
sip which is circulating in regard to it's
general ehabbiness and poverty-stricken
appearance. from what has been print
ed on this subject, the public might well
believe that Congress was niggardly in
its appropriation for the genteel support
OF the President and family. The White
House-or Executive Mansion, which is
the name used on official letters and en-
velopes-is a pure white building, of g
simple but attractive style OF architect
ure. It is but two stories high, with
eight or more rooms on each floor The
building is modelled after the palace of
the Duke Of Leinster The building is
ITO feet front, and IS feet deep. 1t is
built Of freestone, painted white, with
Ionic pilasters, comprehending two lofty
stories of rooms crowned with balus-
trade. The north front is ornamented
with portico of four Ionic columns III
front and projecting screen with three
dows on that front of the building over
look a beautiful landscape of pleasure
grounds, bordered by the silvery waters
Of the Potomac. The view is charm
ing one. The entire first floor is divided
into spacious vestibules, halls, drawing
rooms, state and family dining-rooms, re-
ception and other rooms The Presi-
dents offices. the family library, and
bedrooms are all on the second floor.
What is always styled the East room is
superb drawing room running the width
of the house; it is 80 feet long by 40 feet
wide, with ceiling which clears % feet.
This room was originally in one uAbrok-
en- space, but, as the ceiling was pro-
nounced insecure, though it had lasted
from 1900 to 1873, was by order Of Gen.
Babcock, Commissioner of Public Build
ings, stripped to the bare brick walls and
entirely remsdeled. This was done at
an enormous outlay, and the result is one
of the most magnificent rooms IN the
country. The work upon this one room
was begun in summer, and was only
completed in time for the New Years re-
ception of 1874. The ceiling of this lofty
apartment is now divided into three Sec
tions, supported by arches. The center
represents the sky with the stars shining,
while the outer portions are frescoed III
the most elaborate style. All OF the wood
work of the room is new, and is white
and gold The fine white marble man.
tells are removed, and replaced by white
and gold ones, so that the frames of the
large mirrors might correspond with the
mantels. The walls are covered with a
yellow paper picked out with gold.
There are eight immense mirrors in this
room, and everything curtains, furni
ture, mirrors, and chandeliers-is new,
or was three years ago.
There are three parlors beside the
grand east salon. The Green parlor is
but little used, as it is somber, with it's
walls of green velvet, panels bordered
with gold, green tapestry carpet, and
green satin curtains and furniture.
White lace curtains of fine quality ara
beneath the satin draperies in all the
rooms This room and the Red parlor
are each 80 by % feet. The oval parlor,
known as the Blue room, is between the
Green and Red parlors, and is 40 by 80
feet. This is the most beautiful of the
entire suite The carpet was woven for
the floor with handsome center-piece
and blue ground. The curtains and up
holstery are of the handsomest shade OF
blue satin and gold, with walls to CORE
spond. The state dining opens
from the Red parlor, and is 50 by 80 feet.
The table and buffet are of solid, Old
fashioned mahogany There are modern
chandeliers, mirrors and curtains in this
room; indeed, everything is as elegant
as we'll could be. The carpet in this
room is the shabbiest that is seen in the
house. The table furniture has all been
imported since Gen Grant became
President. The china is Sevres, the
glass French, and the silver and cutlery
of the choicest description.
Attached to the White House are ex-
tensive Conservatives, garden where
early fruits and vegetables are raised
under glass, stables and carriage
houses. In short, the White House and
it's appendages are not to be despised.
I think the Hayes family can man
age to worry through four years
without suffering many hardships or
privations, particularly as the nice little
income of $50, 900 year is given in ad-
dition to the house I have described,
with servar is, fuel, gas, and about every
thing requisite for genteel living.