The Winslow mail., 1899-01-28
AMBASSADORS HOMES
Palatial Quarters of Foreign Minis
ters in Washington.
Many of the Residences of the Rep
rescntatIves Are the Property
of Their Home Gov
ernments.

The Italian government is seriously
considering the advisability Of becom-
ing an owner of real estate in Washing
ton. The representative of Italy has
always maintained very modest es-
tablishment at this capital. Since 1893,
however, when the minister was raised
to the rank of ambassador, it seems TO
be the sentiment that his encourage
here should correspond with the high
official dignity. The property now un-
der consideration is the mansicn Of the
late Anthony Pollok, corner OF and
Seventeenth streets. This would estab-
Iish Italy's headquarters in ere of the
most aristocratic residential centers.
The house, large one. is particularly
V ell adapted for entertaining. the dsn-
ing-room being the feature OF the
drowing-room floor.
The first ration to purchase its own
lone here was England. The English
embassy was the first house of i'm
rortance built out on Connecticut ave-
aue. and Sir Edward and Lady Thorn
ton the first to dispense its elegant
hospitalities. Then Lord Saclsyille fol-
lowed with his daughters, who were
great bellies here, although It was said
they were not recognized ABROAD at
their fathers official stations. In the
two instances where the withdrawal
Of British ministers has been requested
by this government a curious coinci-
Gence of social history occurs. Sir John
Crampton, whose recall was demanded
because he endeavored to enlist re-
cruits in this country fer the British
army in the Crimea, like Lord Sackville,
took his wife from the stage. She was
the star of an operate troupe perform
ing at ST. Petersburg, where Sir John
Champion was the British minister. He
became desperately infatuated with
her, and a marriage followed. Her
maiden name was Victoria Balfe, her
father being the composer Balfe of
bohemian Grill" celebrity, SIS well as
the author Of several other operas.
Lord Sackville, as Sir Lionel Sackville
West. married at the eleventh hour, and
just shortly before her death, Pepita
Durand, a dancer, who was the mother
If the Misses West.
France has always fought shy of real
estate investments here, preflrring to
rent. When NJ. Patenotre married Miss
Elverscn, of Philadelphia, the house
No. 1710 Ii street became the French
embassy. At the time of this distin-
guished international wedding. about
100 years had elapsed since II. Genet,
the first French minister to this cOun-
try, married Cornelia Tappan Clinton,
daughter of the governor OF New York.
1t seems peculiar coincidence that the
first French minister and the first am
bassador should succumb to the charms
of the American girl. The prominent
part played by the present ambassador
in the peace negotiations between this
country and Spain will give the house
No. ITO Ii street still greater historical
interest. The mansion was built by
Richard Rush, of Philadelphia, and was
occupied by his family during John
Quincy Adams administration, when
Rush was secretary of the treasury. In
1916 he went to England as American
minister. taking Benjamin Ogie Tayloe,
the original owner of the Octagon
house, with him as secretary CT lega-
ton. The Octagon house, however, was
built years before the Rush mansion,
the latter dating from about 1926. The
quantity picturesque architecture is
very attractive, even at this day.
Germany bought her own home on
Highland terrace, Massachusetts, ave-
nue., several years ago. 1t is a spacious,
elegant mansion, thoroughly modern,
and with no historical associations
whatever.
The Mexican government built its
own legation here about ten years ago.
The house was planned with special
view to entertainments of an official
character. The ballroom. with its mir
or walls, is a distinguishing feature.
IT has been the scene of many beautiful
entertainments with the late iamented
Nine. Romero as hostess.
Corea had established a legation here
but a short time when it was decided 10
buy the property No. 1900 Thirteenth
street, just off Iowa circle. This was
the first home Of the pioneer Corean
ladies', who came here in 1889 and
formed such an attractive and pictur-
tsque feature of social gatherings that
season. They were the first oriental
women to openly enter society. for, al
though we had had Chinese minister
here for years, his wife was never seen
with the outer barbarians. Now all
this is changed, and Nine. WI not only