The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-02-27

affairs, there is nothing for a man to
do but call on some Obliging lady friend
for facts in hat line; and that is what
I have done.
Write a letter about the ladies of
the cabinet" says Pauline Amber.
"Write about their homes and the way
they entertain people. Tell them about
the intimate friendship existing be-
tween the wife of the president and the
wife of the secretary of war. 1t is q
fact that Secretary and Mrs. Daniel S.
Lamont are the Lord and Lady Church
hill of the present administration, While
the secretary whispers confdentially
In the ear of the president, Mrs. Lamont
presides sweetly but tyrannically over
Mrs. C~leveland's tenkettle. Mrs. Cleve-
land is as fondly attached to Mrs. La
mont as ever good Queen Anne was to
her doting duchess. When Mrs. La
mont first went house-hunting, Mrs.
Cleveland accompanied her and insist
ed OF the secretary settling as near the
white house as possible. Consequently
the secretary closed the lease for the
old Woods house on Lafayette square,
facing the executive mansion.
This is the house that Mrs. Cleveland
picked, out of all those visited, for her
'dear friend" There is almost an
obstructed view between the two
houses, and, as Old Hickory used to
signal to Van Buren, across the park
when affairs of state were in a furry,
10 can Mrs. Cleveland call for her con-
fdential friend when there are, little
social and domestic questions to be con-
sidered. The home of the secretary Of
war is historic itself and located in the
most historic section of Washington.
The old house has rather an important
social history. Secretary Gideon Welles
lived there during the war. Senator
Stockton's family made it their home
when they were leaders in the gay
world of fashion. The house adjoins
Daniel Webster's old residence, now the
palatial home of Senator Brice. The
house has no street door, but is en-
tered through an arch driveway and
French court. The Ohio senator dimes
all the nobility who chance to visit
Washington and takes the lead in TAX
ing up the latest fads.
Miss Amber says that during the
entire administration Mrs. Lamont and
Mrs. Cleveland have together settled
many problems which have affected po-
1itical as well as social life. Over the
teapot social leaders nave been created
OF decapitated. Over their chocolate
they have discussed executive and other
state dinners and decided upon the ar
rangements Of their guests, as well as
the details of menus. Thus together
they have given fame to the favored
and mediocrity to those who have been
disfavored.
Mrs. Hoke Smith, who entertained 30
lavishly and brilliantly last winter, will
not be here this winter, because her
husband is no longer secretary of the
interior. He resigned from the cab
met last August, and the family now re-
sides in Atlanta, Ga.
The small green parallelogram be-
tween the white house and the Airing.
ton hotel, in which Secretary Lannon'S
home is located, has ~undeniably the
most interesting history of any locality
In this country. At the time of the revo.
luton 1t was an insignificant part OF
David Burns farm. But long before the
British soldiers tramped over it on their
way to burn the white house ia ISL;
the political grandees Of the land had
already begun to build their homes
around it. The center Of that farm is
now one Of the most beautiful spots
in Washington, Lafayette park.
The great double mansion east 81
Eecretary Lamont's residence was bull
by Matthew st. Claire Clark, long CLERK
Of the house of representatives. It after
ward became the home of the British
legation. II was here Sir Bulwer Lyttor
lived duriIg his embassy. It wac also
here that his son. "0wen Meredith
WROTE ~Lueile."
On the corner above, fReIng the whit,
house, - st. Johns Episcopal church
long known az the "COurt church
4 was attended by every president be
sore Lincoln. Since the civil war Pres
b&ent Arthur Is the only president Who
hss been . regular attendant and com
wunlcant there. After the death Of hi
wife. President Arthur caused o me
mortal window to be placed in thC
church, and tlsrs IL will stand forever
a. . monument TO the memory of tina
gentle lady who was the wife Of Presi
aant Arthur, and daughter Of Rallan'