National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-28
CAMERON'S HOUSE.
A SPLENDID SENATORIAL MANSION.
The Pennsylvania Statesman's New Residence on
Scott Circle-A Grand Hall OF 0ak-Quaint
and Magnificent Efects-A Full De-
seription of the Edifice.

! The general character OF the residence
which have been erected in Washington durin
| the past few years has been in line with tn
! thought of the founders of the city, who in pro
Viding for broad sweeping avenues and magnifcen
| parks and circles, intended to make this capita
the lOveliest city in the world. The YER
curves, irregular angles. and odd corners made
by the intersection of the avenues, streets
and circles afford unusual opportunities for archi
tectural display. Standing in one of these crcula
parks in the northwestern part of the city. one
eye is met OH every side with long Gistas of ele
CANT houses the breadth of the streets permitting
fine perspective effects which it is quite impossl
bic to obtain in other cities When all these
circles are adorhGd with works OF art and sur
rounded with
SPLENDID MANSIONS,
the city in its finished beauty will far SurpaSs ever
the grand city that rose by magic in the dreams o.
Washington and L Enfant. One of the latest addi
tons to the treasury of architectural TO be found
in Washington is the residence of Senator Dor
Cameron, fronting upon Scott Circle, at the inter
ton of Sixteenth street and Rhode Island avenue
This residence has just been completed, and viii
be occupied by the Senator and his family in the
autumn. Nomore desirable site for residence could
have been found by the Pennsylvania Senator
The location commands some of the grandeS
views to be obtained in this city of grand views
Away in the distance, down Sixteenth street, can
be seen the white columns of the Executive Man.
sion. Massachusetts and Rhode Island avenues
stretching off TO the east and west, open up yistas
unequaled for loveliness; while away to the
south and west the skyline is broken by
the low hills of Virginia and the irregular heights
of Georgetown. The location is admirable also on
account of the fine views OF the mansion which
can be obtained from almost any point in that
vicinity.
SCOTT CIRCLE
is destined to be environed with magnificent resi-
dences. Already three of the hanlsomest dwell
ings that modern architecture has produced front
upon it. These are the Cameron and BTodhead
mansions and the residence of Paymaster- General
Cutter. The residence of Senator Cameron. though
the exterior is plain and bare of ornament, pos
sesses sort of massive grandeur which seems TO
compoTt well with senatorial dignity. Its clean
cut walls are made of the finest pressed brick the
wood work is of the most solid and durable
character the outlines are easy and attractive, with
out any straining for effects, and the whole imme
diately suggests simple and substantial elegance,
which seems particularly appropriate for the
home of man who represents great and rich
State in the American Senate. Mr.. Fraser, the
architect, i'll planning the exterior seemed rather
to have sought to avoid all ornament. The almost
painfully plain facade is relieved only by porte
e0chere at the main entrance, the framework be-
ing Ofiron, resting upon piers of solid brick and
stone The house is three stories in height, with
French roof with dOrmer windows and base
ment. The interior, however, was designed evil
IDENTIFY with view of obtaining the richest effects.
The distinguishing feature of the structure is
A GRAND HALL
on each floor The entrance hall is over twelve
feet wide and has a lofty ceiling At the right is
1a.iornnl q nfipn for
the Senator. vt the left is the parlor, a room so
by Is feet. At the end of this corridor is a wide
arched way. leading into the grand hall. This
hall presents i study in itself The dimensions
are % by p feet. The lofty ceiling is of solid oak
the grand staircase which winds around to the
upper floors is of heavy oak richly carved and pol
ished The corner opposite to or furthest from the
hall is squared off and filled with great
fire. place, constructed after the fashion of hun
dred years ago, though probably more elegantly
and substantially finished than any of the CHIN
newcomers of our revolutionary fathers. The
fire place is made of polished brick, designed spe
cially for this work. The wide hearth is made of
richly colored tiles. On either side of this fire.
place is recess intended for seats, and over it is
shelf made of one slab of stone. The fireplace is
fitted with a crane, and adds comfortable, home
like appearance to the house. In another corner
has been placed an old fashioned clock,
taller than man. The surroundings remind one
Of the ancestral halls of some English baronet,
rich in quaint effects-a house built to stand for
centuries. Immediately adjoining the grand hall
is the dining-room, and north of the hall is the
library. The parlor, dining ROOM and hall open
upon each other with large folding doors. The
effects, looking out from these apartments upon the
STATELY STAIRCASE
md its quaint surroundings are very fine and sug-
posed to fill the windows in the grand hail. incud-
ng the two little windows over the fireplace, with
stained glass, which viii add richness of color
hat will greatly heighten the effects The general
,lan of the upper stories of the house is similar to
hat of the lower or main floor, there being
i've large chambers on each floor. The upper
tory in the French roof is intended for
servants quarters. In the ample basement is a
arge kitchen, laundry furnace room, and apart
nents for the other departments of labor neces-
AIRY to sustain large. establishment The main
ioor is finished in oak and poplar, with floors of
Georgia pine, bordered with black walnut. A no.
icsable feature of the house is the variety in
THE NANTELS,
IL of which are made of richly carved wood and
with tiles tastefully arranged around
he CRATES. The massive man'el in ;he parlor is
# black walnut, exquisitely carved The thing is
arefully studied. Over this mantel is a mirror Of
heavy French glass, set in the wood
The mantel in the dining room, which is a fine,
arge apartment with semi-octagonal end, is of
'utternut wood. The other mantels arc of differ
mt kinds of wood, all varying in design. The |
tails of the house are heated with steam, but all
# the rooms are provided with fire places. Electric
ells and speaking tubes run through the mansion,
the room ofthe mistress of the manse |
With the different departments fthe house. The |
rchtect pun posely avoided any extravagant dec |
ration of the rooms, other than is given by the |
ichly furnished wainscOting and mantels, as !
twas thought that when the house is furnished |
UGH emancipation would be found superfuous |
frs. Cameron is now selecting carpets and fmni-
ure fer this paatial residence and next winter it
expected that it will be thrown open to the
ublic. The arrangement of the house pecu-
aIiy adaps it for social enter Ailments and it is
afe to venture that its walls Will witness many
ay scenes during years to coma.