Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-19
WASHINGTON A MAGNET.
More and More the Leisure Class Are
Going There to Live.

Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish's prediction
that the social center of the country
eventually will be in Washington finds
justification in the rapid growth of the
social, literary and art colonies in the
Capital City. Every season witnesses
additions to the circles Of distinguished
and wealthy people who select Wash
ington for their winter residence.
"If had dozen houses I could rent
them all within twenty-four hours"
was the remark of Major General Cor
bin as he closed deal for his own resi-
dcnce just before leaving for his new
post Oh Governors island. The gen
eral, on his return from western tour,
saw on newspaper bulletin board no.
ticc that the order for his transfer to
the command of the department of the
east had been made. Before going
home he and his wife stopped at n real
estate office and placed their house, fur
nishcd. in the company's hands. This
was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Before they sat down TO dinner they
were notified by telephone that the
house had been rented for $1,000 a
year The general received dozen ap-
plications for his house from out Of
town people who desired to rent homes
for the season in Washington, but had
found the supply limited and made
quatc.
More and more every year IS Wash
ington being selected as the winter
home of substantial people from north
crn cities. Tho rentals for residences
adapted to entertainment are more rea-
sonablc in Washington than in New
York. Philadelphia or Boston, and the
custom has sprung M for wealthy PEG
pie and those prominent in society &c
rent their own homes in northern cities
and come to Washington for the sea
son. where they can enjoy not only a
mildcr climate. but the refined atmos
pherc of art and literature and also en-
joy the unique flavor of Washington
special attractions. national politics and
diplomacy.
The frivolities and absurdities Of the
Four Hundred that have provoked
Henry Watterson's keen satire are not
so much in evidence in Washington
and the winter colonies from other
cities appreciate the more interesting
life at the national capital. To minglC
with diplomats from all the great cap
itals of the world. to know the mer
and women in national life who make
the political wheels go round to mee'
and know scientists, literary people
and artists and others whose impor
lance and reputation do not rest upor
n foundation of dollars. Is n refreshing
experience TO those who have been ac
customed to winning social position by
matching wealth.
Besides the floating social population
that drifts to Washington each season
there is every year added a permanen
colony of men and women Of wealth
and refinement who have purchased o.
built delightful residences there. With
in the last year eight or ten immense
apartment houses have been erected OF
plans that appeal to those who wish t
spend a part of the year in the city
The dearth of suitable furnished
houses, or, in fact, Of any houses ade
Quate for social entertaining has sen
many of these outsiders to the apart
ment houses and family hotels, where
two or three suits are thrown together
and ample accommodations secured FOL
the demands of the social season.
Philadelphia Press.