Evening star., 1908-01-12

way has erected an elegant
structure for her legation. and doubtless
two other foreign mansions will be added
TO the number of handsome residences
that have given to the locality the distinc-
tion of being the palace end of town.
This is hardly a new experience for Kali
Drama. the grand old oaks remaining are
probably congratulating themselves upon
the return of the former days of social
supremacy. when the beaux and bellies of
long ago sauntered along the shaded
walks, and naughty diplomats sought Sc
cluded arbors for discussion of the latest
news from the war in Europe or the dis
comforts of life in Washington.
THIS charming property was a part of
the large Holmead estate, the original
residence was built about 1850 of brick
brought from England, it is said, the walls
were of such strength and thickness that
they withstood fire and tempest for $50
years. In 1892 the house with about forty
acres was bought and occupied by Gus
tavus Scott from Dorchester county. Md.
The purchase was probably influenced by
the selection of the Potomac site for the
national capital This man, Gustavus
Scott merits larger space in District an
nails than he has received. He was of
Scotch ancestry. born in Maryland, a
prominent lawyer there. and politician.
He was one of the original promoters Of
the Potomac sCompanys scheme for i'm
provement of the river navigation, held
shares of its stock: he secured the passage
OF a bin in the Maryland legislature for
a monopoly in steam navigation in the
state for James Rumsey: he was one of
the earliest investors in Washington lots;
he was appointed one of the early COM
missionerS of the District and was made
superintendent of public works: when
MARYLAND made her third loan to the i'm
pecunious government of the nation his
was one of the three personal indorse-
ments required upon the bonds. He seems
to have inherited some of the ancestral
Scotch thrift. as he used a rejected key
stone of the X street bridge for his
kitchen doorstep. where for years the in
scription told the story to every passer.
In the Scott home hospitality held full
sway. ii was one of the fine country places
frequented by Georgetown gentry. He
was the grandfather of Admiral Gustavus
Hall Scott. long a resident of Washington.
His patriotic investments seem TO have
been unfortunate ones for him. as we
learn from Il letter addressed TO Joel Bar
low. in Paris. from Thomas Jefferson
dated May >, 1902. in which he urges him
to return to America. There is a most
lovely seat adjoining this city on high
hill commanding y most extensive view of
the Potomac now for sale A superb
house, gardens. ETC.. with thirty or forty
acres OF ground. IL will be sold under
circumstances of distress and Will prob
ably go for the half of what it has cost.
1t was built by Gustavus Scott, who Is
dead bankrupt"
1t was, however. bought by William
Augustine Washington, nephew OF
George Washington. who remodeled the
old mansion and added the elegant east
wing containing the drawing room and
banquet hail without which no mansion
of the day was complete. This owner
greatly enlarged the social circle which
now embraced Alexandria and nearby
Virginia plantations. But he was thrifty
too and accepted Joel Barlows liberal
offer OF $4,000 made in 1907.
So about one hundred years ago work
men again appeared upon the scene. and
under the direction of the new owner
with many suggestions from Robert t'ui-
ton and Achitect Latrobe. carpenters and
bricklayers were soon tearing away and
rebuilding.
Walks and drives>were cut an. leyeled,
shrubbery was set: with considerable
ceremony one day in March there was a
notable planting of two English elms by
Barlow and Fulton; these trees attained
great size and were only recently removed
for the passage of 23d :treet. president
Jefferson, too. rode out frequently and
gave much advice on the subjects of