The sun., 1919-06-15

4 bAIS OK tne mignty are every
where in this city Of New York.
With many Of them, especially
the entableted houses in the lowsr
part of Manhattan Island, where the
patriotic societies have been busy in
their tasks Of remembrance. most Of
us are on sightseeing terms. When
the proposal comes. as 1t often does
these days. to restore the tottering
house in which some President Of the
United States once dwelt or to rebuild
the walls where first were heard the
cries Of child who became one Of the
worlds great. we realize that about
W are scores OF fanes which might
be dedicated to men and women whose
names have been sounded by the
trump of fame.
We know. Of course. that down in
the long room Of Fraunces's Tavern
Washington babe farewell to the Of
ficers Of the Continental Army. We
may find our way to Golden Hill Tav-
ern, or look for the fence which once
entirely surrounded Bowling Green
and the ieaden statue Of King George.
Down at the edge Of the gray sea wall
Of the Battery stands the sturdy figure
OF Capt. John Ericsson. the designer
OF the Monitor, who wrought q revo-
luton in naval architecture Suppose
We take jaunt TO the north to the
old home Of the Swedish genius and to
other spots, most Of them of the
beaten paths, where dweit men who II,
their day and generation won place
and distinction.
Through q maze Of truck crowded
streets we fare to So Beach street, o
four story mansion Of the kind which
once lined ct. Johns Park. The
breathing place in the midst Of what
10 now a mass OF warehouses was for
meriy q haven for those who loved
the green sward and stately trees. No.
80 was q symbol OF success. When
John Ericsson won what was consid-
cred a fortune by his invention he
purchased In 1854 the fine old house
in Beach street. Many traces Of its
beauty remain, although its front 10
half hidden by the unsightly fire es-
capes that mark It as q tenement. The
old fanlight over the carved doorway
has been broken by young vandals;
the wrought iron ratings and newels
have long since rusted into dilapida-
tion, and the stone steps have been
worn down by the thousands Of thick
soied shoes which have passed over
them.
A. 100000 Mansion.
John Ericsson paid $4,000 for this
house when It was new. and the rec
ords show that he expended S1,700 for
altering It and $500 for the furniture
Tradition has II that some of the orna-
ments Of the house were hammered
out or carved by his own hands.
The roof Of number 80 10 peaked.
tn pitch IL 20 precipitous that any one
losing his foothold upon Il would not
be likely to regain It. On the tip Of
the house Ericsson caused O platform
10 be built on which he erected an OBJ
servatory and worlkroom. There Is q
story. which. however, IL not true,
that Ericsson designed the Monitor on
this lofty height. He did, however.
conduct here some important expert
msnts with sun motors and heat en-
gines.
As Ericsson had a fortune Of about
. quarter Of q million dollars, he was
able to maintain this house in a style
appropriate to hia furniahinRa and to
the then fashionable neighborhood in
which It was situated. Even when the
huge freight depot blotted out the
loneliness Of st. Johns Park for
aver the inventor continued to live in
this home. TO which he had become
much attached. He was irritable In
MS later years. and strange sounds
such as those made by persons who
think they are musicians greatly dis
turoed him. He induced his ne 1t door
ns'sheor. whose daughter had o pen
I,