Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-11-23
E[GAlL ADAMS TO Mrs. SMITH

that ralae, gi7o picture Of the White House
in the year 1900
| MRS. ABIGAIL ADAMS TO MRS SMITH
"WAsu1SGroN, Nov. 81, 1890.
| "Io The city arc buildings enough, II they
we're compact and finished. to accommodate
Congress and those attached to ii; but as they
| are, see DO great comfort tor them. Inc
river, which runs up TO Alexandria, is 10 ta!l
view Of nv wiudow. ard [ sec the vessels as
they pass and repass. The house Is upon
| crsud end superb scale, requiring about thirty
servants to attend aud keep the apartments 10
| proper order, and pertor:o the ordinary bust
ness of the house and stables; 90 establishment
yery we'll pgoportio1cd to the Presidents salary.
The lighting apartments, from the Kitchen to
the parlors and chambers, IS q tex indeed; and
the fires we are obliged to keep, 10 secure us
from daily agucS IS another very cheering conl.
fort 10 assist U ia this great castle, and reu-
der less attendance necessary, bells are wholly
wanting not ooe single ono being huog through
the wto!a house, alI3 promises are all you can
obtaa. This is so great anlcconVcnlcnoc, that
kroW not what TO 60 or how to Go. The lG-
dies from GeorgctOwn aad iu the city have
many of them visited ne. Yesterday return
ed fifteen visits; but such place as George
town appears-why, car Milton is beautiful. But
no comparisons; it they will Ius NE up scme
bells, and !ct me have wood enough
to keep itas, L design to be pleas
ed, | could c3nent myself almost any
where three Inoalhs; bus sur:cu1ded With tor
ests. can you believe thGt wood Is not to be hsd.
because people csn1ot be fauod to cut and cart
it Bricser entered irto cootract with mau
to supply hin With ;7ood. A smal! part, few
cords ony, bas he b2e5 able to get. Most OF
that was expended to dry he walls oil tho house
before We came :D, and yesterday the man told
him it was ciprs:lb!e 70: h!al to procure 1t to
be cut and cartcd. lie has had recourse to
Goals, but We cannot get CRATES made aud SET.
We have indeed come llt0 NclC country.
"Io ou must keep this 20 yourself, and, when
asked how like it, say that | vito you the
situation is beautiful. which is true. The housu
is made habitabe, bus there is not q single
apartment tinlsie3, aad all Wthin5de, except
the plsslcrug, has been done sinco Bricsler
came. We have cot the least fence, or yard,
or other convenience without and the great
unfinished au3icacc roam | make q drying
room OF, to hang up the clothes in. The pr!n
cipal stairs are Tot NJ. and w.il not be TINS
winter Six chambers arc made comfortable
two are occupied By the President and MIR.
Shaw two lower rooms, Que Ter common
parIor, and one fer L leyec room. Up stairs
there is the oval room, which Is designed tor
The drawing rnnn. and mas the crimson iurn.
ture in it. Its very handsome room now. ::
but when completed, it vii! be beautiful. 1t
the twelve years, io which this place has been
considered as tho future seat OF government,
had been improved, az tboy would have baen il
10 New Eag'and, very many Of the loconVeri-
ences would have been removed. lt is beau
t:fu spot, capable Of every Improvement, and
the moro ! vie~ ii, the mo:" am delighted
With it."