The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05

Benjamin ogle Tayloe. writing Of this
city at the beginning of the present CEN
fury. says:
Il came to Washington in 1901, and re-
member IT literally as rus in urbe.' con-
tanning but few thousand inhabitants
scattered about In single houses apart
from each other or In occasional groups,
chiefly in the vicinity of the public build
ings. from Georgetown to the Navy Yard.
4 There was scarcely any pavement except
n front of detached houses The distin-
guished John Cotton Smith told me that
when he was Senator from Connecticut
/ he attended President Adams Ieyee In
Washington in 1891, and that members Of
| Congress living. like himself, on Capitol
| Hill, found 1t necessary to send to Balti-
more for hackney coaches to convey them
| to the Presidents house, and to avoid the
| swamps of Pennsylvania Avenue they had
! to travel along r Street and the high
grounds adjoining. During Mr.. Monroe's
Administration | have seen carriages
mired in Pennsylvania Avenue even then
almost impossible. the city at that time
not having less than 10000 inhabitants.
During my childhood the Navy, War, and
Postoffice Departments and the city post
Office were in one building on the -sirs of
the present War Department. That was
sunk to the caves in a hollow prepared for
it to make it on a level. as now with the
State and Treasury Departments. Be-
I tween the latter and the Capitol its two
wings only erected there was but ons
building on Pennsylvania Avenue, then
used as an apotEacar shop. at the corner
of Ninth Street. a small frame building
built for public convenience by Dr. Buffers.
OF the Navy, who was stationed at the
Navy Yard
At about the period of which Mr.. Tayloe
writes notable group Of private mansions
We're in process of erection around La
fayette Square. many Of which remain to
this day The first private dwelling
erected here was known as the Decatur
House, 1t having been built by Comme-
dore Decatur, who became distinguish
ed in the war of 1872. After his
death 1t was occupied by the British Min
lister, Stratford CanninE afterward Lord
Stratford de Radcliffe. The next tenant
was the Russian Minister, and he was fol-
lowed by Martin Van Buren,, then Seere-
tary OF State. who in turn was succeeded
by Sir Charles Vaughn. Minister from Eng
land. Afterward the house became the
property of John Gadsby, who resided In
it for some time. Then came as tenants.
successfully, the brothers King. sons Of
Rufus King; Vice President George NJ
Dallas, and Hon. Judah P BENJAMIN,
United States Senator from Louisiana, af-
terward a Confederate Cabinet officer and
still later distinguished member of the
English bar
The house which was once the residence
Of the late ". W. Coreoran, on H Street q
still one of the handsomest private bu ID
ings in the city. 1t was erected by Thonas
Swami, formerly of Alexandria, one OF
whose sons was at one time Governor of
Maryland, and the other a distinguished
physician at Philadelphia. 1t was also for
while the residence Of Baron Krudener,
the Russian Minister, and sftsrward OF the
Hon. Aaron Vail, Charge dAfaires at Lon
don. England, during the negotiations
which resulted in the securing Of the
Smithson bequest. Daniel Webster when
Secretary of State under Gene al Harrison.
occupied this house, and upon his vacating
it it became the property OF Mr.. Colccran.
Upon the Iatter's absence in Europe on enc
occasion il was rented by the Marquis de
Montholon, Minister of France TO the
United States.
Fronting the northeast corner of Lafay-
cite Square, is the well-known Mad son
house, now owned and occupied by the
Cosmos Club. This residence derives is
name from its having at one time been oe-
cupied by Mrs. Madison, the widow of
President Madison Ii was built by TIE
Hon. Richard Cuts. formerly member of
Congress from a district Of Maine. This
marsion was the property for many yea S
OF Admiral Wilkes, who commanded the
great exploring expedition sent out by the
United States Government in 1888. Adj
miral Wilkes died un6sr its roo.
Near this residence is the Tgyloe man
sion. afterward occupied by Senator Cam
eFon, of Pennsylvania. For nearly half a
century this house was the scene Of spien-
did hospitality, many distinguished for
signers having been guests Of the Tayloes-
M0nsignor Capel, the famous English
preacher and divine the original Of the
character of Monsignor Catesby in Ben
jamin Disraeli's novel of 'Lothair," was
entertained here upon his last visit TO
this city.
On the north side OF Lafayette Square
stands one of TIE finest mansions IN this
CITY. its simplicity elegance, and dignity
of design affording model which has been
too little initiated In modern private struc-
lures. II was built by Matthew St Clair
Clarke at one time clerk of the House OF
Representatives. 1t was afterward Occur
pied by Lord Ashburton, Special Ambassa-
dor from Great Britain. and at another
time by Sir Henry Bulwer. afterward Lord
Lytton. but better known under the title
of '.Owen Meredith" II was in this house
that that popular author IS said to hav,
composed the greater part of his poem.
..Aux ItaIiensH The mansion has also
been tenanted by George Riggs and Mr..
Meredith when Secretary of the Treasury.
Not far from this mansion. on the same
side of the square. Is the house in which
Thomas Richie. the great editor, had his
home. John Slidell. who in company with
Mason was deputed to represent the Con-
federacy in England. was also at one time
a tenant of this house. and Mr.. Welles.
when Secretary CT the Navy, made 1t his
residence.
These fine houses erected at an early
date adjacent to the White House long
stood completely isolated, and formed
marked contrast to the waste and neglected
area surrounding them. They became,
however, the nucleus of the northwest
section of Washington, and probably in
aueneed the direction Of the growth and
Improvement OF the city.
Has an Anomalous Climate.
From fbe Newcastle Chronicle