The Washington herald., 1909-04-05
WASHINGTON CHAT.



Brown. the public gardener. who drives
around in his familiar old buggy oversee
ing the planting OF the parks and little
triangies about the city. He believes
that no one knows quite as much about
this matter as he does. and he is right
II Is some fifty years since Mr.. Brown ac-
eepted the dictatorship Of the public gar
dens In Washington, and though many
men have grown old under him, he re-
fuses to intrust 70 any one the designing
OF his beautiful gardens. and with reason,
Tor no where in the world does one find
such beautiful gardens as here at the
Capital neither IN aris. where the
Champs Elysees are worthy OF their
name. nor in Germany. where horticul-
ture receives so much attention. Like
his contemporary. Mr. Smith. the super
intendent Of the Botanic Gardens. Mr..
BrowE is a Scotchman. and learned his
profession Of gardening in "The Lands
OF Cakes and Ale" before he came 10
this country, where soon after his arrival
ne was fortunate 10 secure the position
ne has occupied for SO many years with
such signal credit His duties take him
often 70 the White House. and he has
known well every President since Buch-
anan's time OF them all SIR. A-thur was
his special favorite, and one OF his most
cherished treasures is cane which that
President gave him shortly before he
quilted the White House; but, then. he
has a fine collection OF sticks. as several
Of the President "caned hin hand
sOmely."
Mr.. Brown tells a characteristic story
which illustrates Mr.. Arthur's bonhomie.
one morning Mr. Brown was directing
the setting out OF some plants IN front OF
the White House. when Mr. Arthur
swung down the walk.
Good morning. Brown" said the Presi-
dent holding out his hand.
Excuse me. Mr.. President" said Mr..
Brown, showing his hands. caked with
clay my hands are all covered with
dirt"
THAT makes no difference" said the
President: your hands are the more 10
be respected" And with that he grasped
the great gardeners hand IN his own
Hr1Stocratic one and shook Il heartily
Mr.. Brown IS typical Scotchman IN
appearance. with a strong. rugged face.
set in a frame Of snow white beard and
hair His eyes, deep set and clear, de-
spite his nearly four-score years. are
bright and keen and have merry
twinkle when he tells some Of the good
stories or which he has q fund His
greatest passion IS flowers. and those he
grows Tor the White House are his petted
children. in which he takes the greatest
pride. Mrs. Roosevelt was especially fond
Of orchids. and for her pleasure Mr..
Brown grew one Of the finest collections
OF these plants In this part OF the coun-
try.
Among the distinguished visitors 20
town Is the American Minister % Ecua-
dor. who. with his wife and daughter. are
passing the spring here A1r Fox has
been stationed al Quito for only two
years. but his connection with the con
sular and diplomatic service extends over
a period OF more than thirty years. His
first billet was as consul 10 Brunswick.
Germany. where he met and married his
wife. who was born Louise Ludwig. From
Brunswick Mr. Fox was sent 20 Teheran
as vice consul general. and was in tenn
porary charge OF the legation there when
the Asiatic cholera broke out in 1882
His work in that connection VIII not soon
be forgotten by Persia, for ne organized
and financed the American Missionary
Hospital and Dispensary. which cid such
noble work for the sufferers from the
scOurge and for his untiring zeal and
his great accomplishment at that time
the Shah personally thanked him
From Persia Mr.. Fox was transferred
as secretary Of legation for Greece. Ser
via, and ROumania. post he reliuQuished
10 accept a position IN the Bureau OF
American Republics. when he edited the
consular journal until he became director
of the bureau, In 1876. he was accredited
minister % Ecuador In January. 1907. and
has remained al Quito continuously since
Quito, by the way. although il IS a
comparatively small town, containing less
that 10000 inhabitants. chiefly made up
Of Indians and mestizves. is a pleasant
place In which 10 live IL is on the
east side of the great Pichincha plateau
at the foot OF the volcano by that name
and has a delightful and eQuable climate.
and its buildings are unique and pictur-
esque. Some of the houses are built
on arches over two deep ravines that cut
through the ROWE, and the Plaza Mayor,
on which stands the cathedral the gov
ernment house. and the archiepiscopal
/ palace. is one OF the finest squares in the
J whole OF South America. The history
I Of the capital OF Ecuador dates back 10
I 80 A. d, and is a romantic and tragic
| tale. with gay and brilliant adventures.
among whom was the great Pizarro, as
heroes.
The Attorney General and Mrs. Wick
/ ersham have installed themselves in q
/ house that promises 10 be one OF the most
! attractive centers in town. The interior
IS not only charmingly arranged. but fur
nished with a taste and discrimination
that is as pleasing as it is rare All the
| beautiful furniture. the handsome rugs.
the pictures. and bibelots that adorned
/ her home in New York Mrs. Wickersham
/ has brought here, and the large salons
I look as though they might have been
/ especially built for their accommodation.
/ so we'll do they ~ into place. The old
/ English mezzotints in the music room are
| especially noteworthy. and have called
/ forth favorable comment from cOnnois-
| seurs OF this art But its mistress IS the
/ chief ornament of this beautiful home
| and the cordial welcome she gave to the
/ callers at her first and so far only
! reception has already insured her popu-
larity. Her manners. indeed, are en-
/ chanting. and she chats with an ease
/ grace. and fiuency on whatever subject Is
brOached. Then, too. her enthusiasm
about Washington is pleasant TO the peO
pie who belong here. 7 have been away
/ on a long visit" she explains, but J
was born and brought up here. and il 4:
| so good 10 get back home again"
|
Prosperity Returning.
From the New York Tribune.
Signs OF returning prosperity are multi