Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-22

Mr.. Blaine suffered from o sunstroke on the
way and was brought home TO his house in
what was considered 10 be for some hours a
dying condition. There was rs much, if not
greater, excitement around his house that sun
day a. was last Sunday, when il was supposed
that he would not see the dawn of another day.
To keep all anxious visitors from asking at the
door hourly bulletins were hung on the pickess
Of the iron fence in front OF the house SO that
every one could be gratifed. Mr.. Blaine
lived in the 18th street house when he
was made the premier OF The Garfield
cabinet. The next fall. however, he moved to
bis new home on Dupont circle. but he was
private citizen then. Tho marriage Of his
eldest daughter to Col Coppinger took place
there as the concluding event of the winter
season. Mr.. and Mrs. Blaine never liked that
house The former thought il too far from the
lite Of the city. Another winter was spent by
the family In the mansion on Scott circle. then
the property of Senator Window and now the
home OF Mr.. and Mrs Mum. One Of the most
interesting winters that Mr.. Blaine ever spent
In this city as a private citizen he resided in
the house on Lafayette square next TO Gen.
Beale's, now the winter home of Mr.. Scott
Townsend. II was there that he finished his
book, Twenty Years in Public Life" After
Mr.. Blaine went into Mr.. Harrison's cabinet
he lived at the Hotel Normandie until the COM
pletion OF the repairs which converted his home
from the most dilapidsted OF structures into its
present quiet elegance and comfort.
THE MADISON PLACE MANSION.
No. II Madison place has a history as inter-
esting and as varied as that of the distinguished
statesmen it has sheltered. 1t has been in turn
dwelling house, boarding house. government
office and twice the home of the premier of the
administration. President Polk lived In it
once for four months while repairs were being
made in the White House. He occupied the
third floor and was very truly the ''star
boarder." While Secretary Seward made it his
home the house was the social headquarters OF
the wealth and distinction of the day. On the
night OF his attempted assassination a scene of
horror was enacted there the memory Of which
is still fresh In many minds. The house has
seen years OF hard service as government Office.
Its convenient location, however, was such an
important thing In Mr.. Blaine's mind that he
forgot all other considerations and expended
great deal Of money to make the house suitable
for his family. II was favorably located to get
plenty Of sunshine and to view from it much of
the busy life of the city. On one side of the
ball is a small reception room, where Mr..
Blaine used to see his callers. The room back
Of that was his private Office in the old cabinet
days. The windows overlooked Pennsylvania
avenue and its passing crowds. The dining
room is on the north side of the house and was
enlarged a year or so ago by adding the old
pantry. 1t is furnished in antique oak and is a
very bright and cheerful apartment. Mr.. and
Mrs. Blaine at various times during the last
dinner companions made up of Washington
and visiting notables. The drawing room eI-
tends across the entire front of the second
story. The library Is the small room back of it
on one side AMI there is guest chamber back
Of it on the south side Of the house. On the
third floor are all the sleeping rooms OF the
family. The library has always been
the favorite sitting room of the family. The
furniture throughout the house is in harmony
with the colonial style predominating in its
architecture. good deal of it was brought
from the old Augusta home of the family.
There are many fine pictures on the walls, some
that Mr.. Blaine bought during his last visit to
Europe and a number Of old engravings and
prints that they have had hung in their other
homes.
There were people of superstitious turn Of
mind that argued sadness and trouble for the
household when for the sake of letting In more
light and sunshine there were four new win
dows cut in the old wall of the building. "Put
in new window, put out old friend" was
the common. of an old \colored woman as she
passed by while this work was being done.