The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-27

drill camp there under the command of
Col Thomas l.. Mckenny, which changed
the name TO Camp Hill" This continued
10 be its name until it was christened
Observatory Hill
From about 22d street, on the south side
of the avenue, there was an elevated
causeway, extending westward and around
TO the II street bridge. Pennsylvania ave
nue., then a mere road, and impossible for
pedestrians in wet weather, came down
TO the roadway.
The ground began TO rise from about 23d
street, and gradually rose TO a considerable
hill above, and inclined westerly to Rock
Creek 9
Ii was cut down sufficiently, where 2eth
street now runs, for a roadway along the
cliff TO the bridge. Midway between the
Mullet estate and the turn of the road
was covered by cedar grove and large
and aged locust trees.
This was the resort Of the itinerant
preachers, particularly the celebrated and
eccentric Lorenzo Dow. On one occasion,
Lorenzo Dow found that among his audi
tors were some who came for any and
every other purpose except worship. Being
continually annoyed by these people COM
ing in and going out, preparatory to his
discourse, he thus addressed them:
"My friends and hearersl On occasions
like the present | have always found three
u.
the truly pious, the second those who seek
to become SO, the third depraved vaCa-
! bonds who prefer damnation TO salvation.
| earnestly request all of this last class
who may be here now 10 withdraw before
commence the exercises
1t is needless 30 say no one left and the
| parson, for once, at least, had an attentive
and silent audience.
On the southwest corner Of oath and X
streets stands a mansion that was once
noted for the elegant refinement and hos
| pitality that characterized the distin-
| guished personages that occupied it, Gen.
Charles Gratiot, Chief OF the Corps of Engi
necrs, United States Army, while holding
| that position, resided there. This was
| prior to 1898.
Gen. Gratiot's name was, for a time.
under a cloud, as he had been dismissed
| from the service by the President, Martin
Van Buren,, for alleged misdemeanors in
Office. He petitioDed Congress for n hear
! ing and trial by court martial. It was
referred 10 the Judiciary Committee: and
/ unlustly, the case was never reopened
| For many years he held clerkship in the
! Land Office. He returned To ST. Louis in
| 1855, and died soon after in destitute cir
| cumstances.
! 81. Louis, the daughter Of q DISTINGUISHED
| French family.
| HIS daughter married Count Charles de
! Montholon, an attache OF the French lie.
CATION in 1896, who returned here i'm 1856 as
| Minister from France. He was the son 81
Count de Montholon, who was a distin.
| guished French officer attached Ia ,he
personal staff of Napoleon, and acted a.
his Aid de-Camp during the HUNDRED
| Days"
lie followed Napoleon into exile at st
Helena, and at the Emperor's death wa.
appointed one OF his executors. He wa.
also warm adherent OF the Prince No
poleon, afterwards Napoleon iii. He wa.
imprisoned with him at Ham: but wa,
afterwards pardoned, became a member -
the Legislative Assembly, and died in 1s,.
This house, in 1884, was rented ia How
Henry Stephen Fox, Minister from Gye.,
Britain. During his occupancy of IN,
house it was the scene OF many brilIian
e Entertainments. Just previous 10 the wa, ;
il was occupied by Gen. John Mason
brother OF Senator Mason, of Mason an,
SIideH fame. Gen. Mason married Nj.
Macomb. daughter of Gen. Alexande
Macomb, the former Commander OF III,
United States Army. The building ba,
been enlarged and remodelled until Il nYe
sents very little OF its former appearance.