Evening star., 1886-11-13

quite spacious. The new part added on the
south side is quite extensive. and occupies what
was formerly a portion OF the garden surround
Ing the old house. This new part has 'front.'
tance OF seventy-sx feet, thus providing good
sized hall, which will be known as the Assem-
story. being lighted and ventilated by a large
skylight in the ceiling and a broad bay window
in front. a glazed partition some distance
from the window forms a fine lOggia which will
communicate with the parlors by an arched
entrance.
1t is the intention to Invite the Philosophical,
the Anthropologieal and the Biological SOcie-
ties, the three societies in this city devoted to
general scientific investigation, TO hold their
members OF these societies are also members of
the Club and their meeting there will therefore
be eonvenience to the members. When the
hall Is being used by these societies the doors
opening into the parlors will be closed and ac-
cess to the hall viii be had only through the
side entrance at the end of the building on H
street. 1t is probable that scientific societies
from abroad holding their meetings i'll this city
will be invited to use this hall, and as the Club
has always been the social headquarters OF Wis.,
itine literary and scientific men, the use of the
place TOR their meetings will be found to be OF
great advantage.
THE MAIN ENTRANCE
to the CLUB rooms, as may be seen by the cut,
is from H street. There is large hail. with
staircase leading to the upper stories, and wide
doors, giving access to the suit OF three par
lors, which occupies the entire main floor, ex-
elusive OF the large parlOr and assembly room
mentioned above. THESE pariors are large and
handsome, and make a very effective appear
ance. The modern luxuries of open fire-piaces
and draperies will not be lacking, and the same
cultivated taste will be manifested in the fur
pishing that may be seen in the private resi-
culture and high social standing. The second
floor has also three large apartments. The front
room will be used as the library. The middle
ri md fbo
next room will be used by the card and chess
players. The third story will be given up solely
Club, and all the rooms available for this pur.
pose have already been taken. There is no
kitchen attached to the Club house at present,
tor the reason that there is no demand tor one,
as nearly all the members have pleasant homes.
The building was purchased a few months
ago from the Wilkes family for $40, 900, and the
extensive alterations and Improvements made
from the plans and under the superintendence
Of w. NJ. Poindexter & Co., will cost about
be plastereu and painted and when completed
will afford suitable accommodations for the
Cub and at the same time be an ornament to
that part of the city as well credit to the
organization TO which it belongs.
AN HISTORIC HOUSE.
AS may be seen the exterior of the house re-
mains substantially uneh tnged, thus properly
preserving one OF the old landmarks OF the
vicinity where there are SO many residences
identified with the social aud political life OF
prominent people. It was erected In the early
part OF the century by Mr.. Cults, who
family Of President Madison: 1, is, how, @
ever. best known as the residence OF
Mrs. Madison, the widow OF President Madi-
son. Here that popular and fascinating woman
held court, and her levees and receptions were
the resort OF the highest In the land. After the
death of Mrs. Madison the house was purchased
and occupied by Commodore Wilkes, who cap
tured Mason aud Slideil, and vas the COM
mander OF the Wilkes exploring expedition. In
his time and for some years afterwards IL stood
surrounded by quite extensive grounds. In
later years. however, portions OF the garden on
n street ana on 1512 were sold Off building
lots, which are now occupied by handsome
houses. For some years 1t was occupied by
ionaOe clearinghouse. But the house aud the
street on which it fronts have been identified
with the name Of Mrs. Madison although the
name Madison Place. by which 15la street was
formerly known, has OF late years fallen into
disuse.
SOME OF THE FAMOUS OLD HOUSES
in this locality may be mentioned in passing.
First south of the Club House is the large double
MIR. Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, a descendant of the
Mr.. Tayioe who built, in the latter part of the
last century, the OctagOn House. at the corner
Tayloe house Is now owned and occupied
by Senator Cameron. The large square three
story house aaonlng now Occupied by the
was built , for his own use by Com.
1tOScTS, ana after MS death
it became q fashionable boarding-house and
then a club house. To one Of its rooms Barton
Key was borne after being shot by Sickles in
tree against which Key tell when he received
the ia tai shot object of nteres, to visitors
for good many years utter the tragic occur
renee. On the opposite side Of Lafayette
Square was the house occupied by Mr. and
Mrs. Sickes, and it Is said that at that time the
trees In the square were so small that the wav-
ing of handkerchief from one OF the Windows
could be distinctly seen at the Club house oppo-
site; This was the signal. 1t Is said, tnat was
used between Mrs. Sickles aud MIR. Key. 1t
was In this house. the old Club house, that
Secretary Seward resided, and IL was here that
the attempt TO assassinate him was made, on
the same night that President Lincoln was
shot.
At the south west corner OF 10th and II streets.
and exactly facing the Cosmos Club House,
stands the large residence " hich was built from
designs by LatrObe for Commodore Decatur
and it was from here that he started out
one morning. To meet Com mOdore Barron at
Bladensburg In the duel which terminated So
fatally for him. The house was afterwards oc.
minister here; by Martin Van Buren While
Secretary OF state, and also tor some years by
the government tor bureau offices. 1t is now
owned and occupied by Gen. X. F. Beale. 1t is
| said that every President from Madison to
Grant has been entertained there. Diagonaliy
opposite this house il
| THE RESIDENCE OF Mr.. ". w. coRcoRAN,
who has greatly added to the attractiveness
| and beauty Of the house and grounds since 1t
came into his possession. With the exception
| Oh house and lot adjoining this property occu-
pied tht entire SQUARE until within iew years
ago. when Mr.. Corcoran sold the 10Th street
front, where the residences OF Messrs. Jno Hay
Henry Adams and Lucius Tuckerman now
| Of Mr.. CorcOran II was owned by Daniel Web
| ster. Before and during the Mexican war the
| British minister. Mr.. Packenham, resided
there, and in iaier years the French ministers
made IL their home.
BRIEF BUT PROSPEROUS CAREER.
| The Cosmos Club originated In the year
1878, and arose from a strong conviction on the
part OF the members oi the Philosophical Society
vi This city, that a further DEVELOPMENT Oi the
social SIDE Of their natures than the regular
meetings OF the society allowed, would be
botn pleasant and useful. 1t was therefore con
ciuoed 10 establish u regular social Club, where
| there would be no formal exercises nor any