The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-13
THE WHITE HOUSE.
A Description of the Executive Mansion-Its
Furniture, Grounds, Etc.


Furniture, Grounds, Etc.
('Fay" in the Louisville Courier-Journal.l
Having for some years been familiar
with the interior of the White House, L
feel disposed to correct some Of the gos-
sip which is circulating in regard to its
general shabbiness 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 pure white building, of
simple but attractive style of architect
ure. 1t 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
10 feet front, and sc 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 IN
front AMI projecting screen with three
columns. This portico and all the win
dows on that front of the building over
look beautiful landscape of pleasure
grounds. bordered by the silvery waters
of the Potomac. The view is a 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 so feet long by 40 feet
wide, with ceiling which clears % feet.
This room was originally in one unbrok-
Ell 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 remodeled. 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
tons, 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
yellow paper picked out with gold.
rbo,o ora o;rl,+ ,,oi,,.orC in tliS
room, and everything-cllrtains, 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 its
walls of green velvet, panels bordered
with gold, green tapestry carpet, and
green satin curtains and furniture.
White lace curtains of fine quality are
beneath the satin draperies in all the
rooms. This room and the Red parlor
are each 30 by % feet. The oval parlor,
known as the Blue room, is between the
Green and Red parlors, and is 40 by 30
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-room opens
from the Red parlor, and is 80 10y 30 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 well 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, a garden where
early fruits and vegetables are raised
under glass, stables and carriage
houses. In short, the White House and
its appeAdages are not TO be despised
1 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 $4,000 year is given in adj
dition to the house / have described,
with servar is, fuel, gas, and about every
thing requisite for genteel living.