Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
/ SPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE OF THE MONITOR. !

Washington, Nay 20.
The association of patriotic ladies,
known as the Mount Vernon Board, met
last Wednesday at the home of Washing
ton, to hold their annual council They
organized for the purpose of restoring
and caring for the Washington home
stead Each state, through its represen-
tative lady, having an especial part ofthe
work under its charge. All the rooms
have been repaired aud furnished in a
style as nearly contemporaneous with
Washington's time as possible. except
the private dining-room, which is the
trust of South Car olina. In many cases
the original furniture has been secured,
and replaced. The bed on which Wash
ington died has been restored to the
chamber by Col. Lee, son of Gen. r. E.
Lee. This room is in charge of Virginia
ladies, while the room in which Martha
Washington died is Wisconsms trust.
Mrs. Washington's sitting-room has been
restored and furnished by Georgia Ala
bama selected the hall for her work.
| Pennsylvania has the river room, in which
the board convenes. New York the ban
| uuet room, and Massachusetts the libra
ry. The latter state was represented by
Miss Longfellow, who was much in de-
mand by visitors to Mount Vernon during
the session of the board. The young
! lady bears a strong resemblance to her
poet father. The association has an en-
dowment fund which has grown from
| 81, 900 to $2S, 900 in the past ten years.
The place is well kept, and improvements
are constantly being made, such as
drives, fences, flowers-beds and a lunch
room has lately been added. A trip to
Mount Vernon affords a pleasant little
excursion from the city, and few visitors
are willing to leave the capital without
seeing the home and tomb Of George
Washington.
Since work recommended on the Wash
| ington monument this season, ten feet Of
marble have been added to it, and on
Wednesday it reached a height of three
| uuuuIeu anu ulIy 1eS1'
Among wealthy and prominent men
who are securing homes in this city, is
the Hon. S. S. Cox of New York. He
has just paid 100000 for a green stone
front facing on Dupont Circle, which he
will occupy in the fall. In its exterior
and interior appointments it is one of the
most unique and elegant houses in the
city.
The residences recently built by wealthy
public men here have been much over
rated as to cost. The houses Of Ex-Sen
ator Window, Commodore Robson, Sen
ator Pendleton of Ohio, and Justice Mat
thews' are among the handsomest, ant
their properties range from 5000 tt
$4,000. Hon. James Blaine's houSi
cost less than 100000, and Don Came
: ron's about $4,000. Senator Sherman
house is plain and would bring abou
$4,000. Secretary Chandler is the onl
. cabinet officer who owns the house il
which he lives, and his domicile is yalue
at S25, 900. The costliest home in Wash
ington, if the value of the ground is cor
y sidered, is that of w. W. Corcoran. 1t
l. interior ornamentation is very expensive
and the enclosure embraces an entir
Il square Of ground which, from its locs
Il ton, is the most valuable ground in tn
city.
. The real estate market is active now
. and there is a steady demand for house
of all sizes and prices. Apropos Of Nj
:, Corcoran, he has just added another t
- the noble charities of his life. Sever;
% weeks since, the remains of John Howar
=" Payne were brought from Africa, whel
they had lain for 80 years, at Mr.. Core
ans expense. The remains were depo
tied in vault at Oak Hill cemeter.
Georgetown, where on the 9th of Jun
t. the poets birthday, they will be re-inte
re red with appropriate ceremonies. M
in Corcoran has also provided a suitab
&c monument to mark the spot. This h;
v already been placed in position, and
to ready for unwilling.
lie In social matters the most brillial
n event of the week was the banquet give
10 at the British embassy on Thursday ev
is ming in honor of Queen Victoria's brit
~ day. AS the season advances such ente
to tainments are rarer, but society is by !
Of means stationary. 1t moves, though in
s. different direction. Fashions fancy nc
m is for riding and driving parties, moo
lie light steamer excursions down the rive
ry and afternoon and evening barge parti
an up the river. The latter have been {
of pecally popular this week. Barge parti
of crowded the landings, and started fro
I'M various lighthouses Of the Potomac ca
ST day. AS they glided up the smooth rive
Is. under the shadow of the Virginia hll
no with their vine-clad, wild flower beaut
lie the breezes waited far, sounds of mel
he laughter aud strains of familiar song.