The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-02
By r. NJ. Larner.

Washington, Feb. 2S.-''Have a good
time all who enter here" This is the
imaginary motto one is impressed
with upon entering the old Corcoran
House in Lafayette Square, where
Senator and Mrs. Depew make their
delightful Washington home.
The Corcoran house is located at the
corner of Connecticut avenue and
Eighth street. 1t fronts on Lafay-
cite Square. Immediately opposite the
White House. The Corcoran house is
famous for having been the former
home of Daniel Webster, when he was
one of the giants of the Senate. Later
it was the home of w. w. Corcoran,
the banker and philanthropist, who
endowed the Corcoran Art Gallery in
this city. 1t was afterwards the res
idence of the late Calvin Brice while
he was a senator from Ohio.
Senator and Mrs. Depew. since their
occupancy Of the Corcoran house, have
given it a social prestige such as it
never before enjoyed by reason of the
numerous and brilliant entertainments
they have given. The Depews have
led all competitors for social honors
at Washington this season and their
efforts are only exceeded by President
and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White
House.
The late Senator Brice and his fam
lily when they occupied the Corcoran
house achieved considerable fame and
distinction by the magnitude of their
social entertainment. Senator and
Mrs. Depew have surpassed the Brices
not only in the number and brilliancy
OF their entertainments, but the De-
pews have invested their functions
with a delightful atmosphere of eIe-
gance and informality which is sell
dom found in what is generally termed
the smart social set. Senator Depew's
motto Is THE world owes me moth
ing and in carrying out that idea he
endeavors to inspire those around him
with the idea that moderate enjoy
ment and relaxation from the contin-
uous cares of business life are neces-
sary for the body, as we'll as the soul.
This sentiment Mrs. Depew cordially
indorSes and contributes largely to the
domestic sunshine which ever prevails
there. ..
A. more popular hostess than Mrs.
Depew does not reside in Washington.
During her brief residence here she has
endeared herself to a large circle of
friends by her charming manner, So
cial tact and numerous accomplish
nents, 1t is not generally known but
is nevertheless fact, that Mrs. De-
pew is one of the most accomplished
amateur musicians at the national cap
ttal. She received a thorough musical
education abroad and many of the
most pleasant hours of her life in
Washington she spends at her piano
in the ball room.
An Invitation to a dinner, reception,
musicale or any social function by the
Depews is accepted as readily as an
official summons to the White House.
1t has become proverbial in social
Washington that going to Depew's
means having a good time" II Daniel
Webster and WV. Corcorap and Cali
vim s. Brice @ceuid-~look down from
the spirit world they would doubtless
be impressed with Senator Depews
logic set forth in the motto introduced
at the beginning of this story.
The Corcoran house is probably the
most interesting private dwelling in
the capital city. 1t is filled with his
lCTlC dSSOCldLlOuo QdIlIk UdCh 10 Illb
beginning of the last century. Proba-
bly, the most interesting feature con-
nected with it was during the period
il was occupied by Daniel Webster. At
that time 1t was tWo-story dwelling
without the east and west wings
which were added to it after 1t came
in the possession of w. w. Corcoran.
At the present time there are many
articles of furniture, rare paintings,
and pictures of great variety which
were there during Webster's time.
Mr.. Webster's library to-day is sub
stantially as that great statesman left
it.. The decorations are of a dingy
bronze color and the furnishings are
of antique mahogany This room is
located in the rear of the building
with a big bay window overlooking
the extensive garden under high
state of cultivation which, until with
in few years ago, occupied more than
half of the square extending from
Eighth street along Connecticut ave-
nue. to First.
Senator Depew uses the Webster
rooms as his library, or as he terms it
his mental laboratory" The same
round mahogany table on a heavily
carved pedestal which Webster used
Senator Depew transacts his social,
public and private business-the only
modern additions being two typewrit-
ing machines and long distance tele-
phone instrument. Senator Depew
sits in the same old high-back brown
leather cushioned chair in which