The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

p It'll
One Of our wealthy citizens has erected
a grand monument here for the perpetu-
alton ofbis memory. IL is not in 'storied
urn or animated bust" or huge pile OF
marble in our beautiful Oak Hill Gene
terry. where sleep hundreds of our ee-
lebrities; but it is a charitable institu-
ton, reared at a heavy expenditure and
endowed quite as literally. The citizen
is w. w. Corcoran, and his monument,
or benefaetion, rather, is the Louise
Home" an immense and magnificent
six-story building, at the corner Of Fif-
teenth street and Massachusetts Avenue,
intended as a home for INDECENT gentle
women. IL crowns beautiful terra q,
and overlooks lie Droit park in the east,
Mt. Pleasant on the north, while in the
west. the elegant mansions of Ex-Sena-
tor Stewart, of Nevada, and Boss Shep-
herd loom high above the surrounding
buildings, greeting the loftiness of
"I4ouise Home" Georgetown, also, lies
spread out in the distance, all flanked
by the beautiful Potomac. Like the
Tai Mahul Of India, it is ever repeating
the one name which "sums all beauties,
graces, and qualities" dear TO him who
mourns, and would forever Honor the
memory Of his deceased wife and child
through the temple of charity. At the
front Of its grounds stands the eques-
trian statue Of General Scott. Approach
ing from the east, the building greets
the eye with its elevated square, its lofty
tower, and innumerable windows look
ing at US through climbing myrtles and
honeysuckles. y serene repOse rests on
everything, and at once gives the visitor
a sense of rest. The main entrance is
on Massachusetts Avenue, and is reached
by steps rising on the terrace, and lands
upon a large pOrlico overlooking the
gardens Of flowers and choice shrubbery
on the east aud west, enclosed by an
iron ornamental fence. Entering at
this door, we are admitted To a large
hall with a marble pavement 81 block
and marble ties, from where the main
staircase Of massive proportions rises to
the upper stories. From the outset one
is impressed with the elegance and per-
manence Of the architecture. The left Of
this hall opens into the library, room
of ample size, containing cases Of books,
a reading-table strewn with the daily
papers and periodicals. The furniture
Of the room is covered with green
leather; the carpet soft brussels. Sus-
pended over the marble mantle is a life
sized portrait Of Mr.. Corcoran. Lead
ing from this to the last, and connected
by folding-dOors, is the committeeman,
where meets in council the nine lady
directors every Saturday, who, with the
matron, constitute the management un-
der Mr. Corcoran. Miss Hunter, the ma
tron, tall, with dark hair and eyes,
dressed in plain black, is an ideal for
the position she occupies. The ladies'
parlor adjOins the eommittee-room on
the south, attached TO which is half
octagon veranda, screened from a too
obstrusive sun by profusiOn of vines.
tits in this room that Mr.. COrcOran has
placed the portraits of his deceased wife
and daughter. Seeing them, we can
appreciate the secret impulses OF his
goodness. Mrs. Corcoran wears a white
frilled cap, which exquisitely harmon
izes with her sweet spiritual face. The
daughter, Mrs. Eustice, now dead some
five years, must have been the fathers
pride. Hers is a lovely face, patterned
somewhat after his, but with the moth
er's sweetness of expression. The piano
belonging to the daughter when a gir
is in this room with other priced relies
Here in the afternoon the ladies cOngre.
gate to chat or engage their time a,
suits their elderly tastes. The Ions
French windows look out upon the we'll
cared flower beds, and a smoOth-shaveC
lawn. Leaving this, we enter the ma
tron's secretary, handsomely fitted fo
the purpose. The principal object o
interest here is an old-fashioned portrai
Of young girl of fine features. It be
longs to one Of the gray-haired old la
dies, and is a relic likeness Of herself
"when she was young" Passing from
here, we enter the grand court, or hall
open to the roof, from where It islighted
It's first story walls are hung with tn
private pictures of Mr.. CorcOran, place'
here at his breaking-up Of house-keep
ing. Rising one above another are fiv,
tires of corridors, which are accessible
by the main stairway, an interior stair
way, and an elevator, especially pro
vided for the additional comfort Of th
invalids. Passing TO the east end Of tn
court, door opens upon the principa
portion of the grounds, which descen'
of the terrace in beautiful prospect o
lawn, winding walls, lined with shrub
berry and flowers and choice trees. Tn
infirmary looks out upon all the beaut.
Of the surroundings, and for its interna
comfort no pains and expense has beei
spared. Spotless linen, choice flowers
and all the delicscies that charm an in
valid's eye are tastily disposed about
This same care of the physical and es
thetic comfort of these elderly ladie
characterizes the private apartment
They breakfast at eight, and dine a
two, aud at six cheerfully discuss th
topics Of the day over tea. As las
care, this great benefactor has purchase
large lots in Oak Hill Cemetery, wher
they are to sleep in their last resting