The National tribune., 1900-05-24

lNEsolApLA-N
corner room that was occupied by Madi-
son for Executive purposes, where many a
political balm was concocted 10 soothe the
perturbed breasts Of Englishmen and
Americans, is now supplanted by the con-
coctor of potions for physical disabilities.
and instead Of State papers, Cabinet doc
uments, and international treaties filing
the shelves, we find Phoenix Bitters, Hy-
gene Pills, and Soothing Sirup in full pos
session. The brilliant throng that passed
up the broad mahogany stairway to the
second floor, where the President and Mrs.
Madison received their distinguished
guests, would see but little change. The
hand of the despoiler Of historic spots has
dealt kindly with this part of the mansion.
The circular reception room, which leads
into the drawing room, is to-day just what
it was when the Justices Of the Supreme
Court, headed by Chief Justice Marshall,
In their ministerial gowns. paid their re-
spects to the President and his wife on
that memorable service, February, 1916,
which was considered the most brilliant
fete ever held in Washington.
The Peace Commissioners of Ghent were
the1e-Bayard, Clay and Russell. The
heroes of the War Of 1872 were there
Major-Gcnerals Brown, Gaines, Scott and
Ripley. They, with their Aids, were in
full uniform, and made a brilliant scene.
Federalists and anti-Federalists of both
Houses of Congress met as friends. pol.
iticians, citizens, strangers-everybody fol
peace brooded over the land. The Diplo.
matte Corps were present in all the para
phernalia of court dress. Even the Eng
lish Ambassador, Sir Charles Bagot, rep
resented the country with whom We had
been at difference, and who had made our
fair city waste place. 1t was on this
night that he made the remark that Mrs.
Madison looked every inch a queen"
The walls Of this drawing room were
painted a century ago, and still retain
their ancient color. AS we look into the
large, oldfashioned fireplace, we wonder
what the stories were that were told by
lady and gay cavalier on the settee In
this niche.
We are told the old fireplace was kept
brilliant by the burning of hickory knots
and that on that memorable February
1916, the decorations surpassed anything
yet seen in the new Capital. The building
was brilliantly illuminated from garret tc
cellar. the brilliant effect being produced
by pine torches held by trained slaves
The President, in plain black dress, was
In striking contrast 10 Mrs. Madison, who
appeared in a toilet of rose-colored satin
with white velvet train, which swept the
floor for several yards. The train was
lined with lavender satin and edged with
a ruching Of lace. This was adorned witt
gold girdle and gold necklace anc
bracelets. This costume was completed
by the ever-present turban, which wa.
made Of white velvet, trimmed with whit.
ostrich tips and gold embroidered crown.
A characteristic story is told Of Mrs
Madison by her grand niece, Miss Cuts
While Mrs. Madison was living in thi
house two plain ladies'from the West pass
ing through Washington, determined not t.
leave without seeing Mrs. Madison, and hav
Ing but little time, were very much puzzlet
how to accomplish it. Meeting an old gen
tieman on the street early the next morninI
who happened TO be friend of Mrs. Mad
. ison, they explained their wish, and re
Quested him TO show them the way to tn,
Presidents House. Pleased with thei
simplicity, he took pleasure in conductinI
them himself, where he found the family
at breakfast. Mrs. Madison good -natured
ly went into the parlor to be inspected
and put the old ladies quite at their eas
by her cordial welcome. Their astonish
ment, however, at seeing SO great per
sonage In dark gray-stuff dress, with &
white apron and kerchief pinned across
her breast, was unbounded, but so reas
suring that when the time cams for leaving