Evening star., 1920-01-25

its gardens would be built a great edi-
nee for the United States Chamber
Of Commerce. the Rambler conceived
the idea OF writing a brief account
of the old house. II was a close-at-
hand subject which seemed timely
and promised to prove of interest to
old Washingtonians and perhaps also
to the new Washingtonians who would
like to get glimpse of the past Of
this splendid city. The Rambler had
another reason for taking up this
subject, though 1t was not the con-
trolling reason. 1t was this: Wander
ing along roads and lanes, through
woods and over fields in midwinter in
search Of things to write of involves
/ good deal Of hard work. Sometimes
these winter walks prove more frosty
than fruitful. The roads are rough or
muddy or slippery, darkness sets in
early and building a fire by the way
side in order to take the chill out Of
the hands and feet uses up time and
furnishes strong temptation to
linger by the genial and comfortable
flames. Choosing a subject in the city
Is very much easier than finding one
in the country in winter. This
when he concluded to take up the
subject of the Corcoran house, and
which subject has been elaborated into
more or less satisfactory outline
sketch of the life of MIR. Corcoran and
rather detailed narrative of some
of the outstanding incidents of his
career.
In the course of the six Corcoran
narratives which have preceded this
reference has been made to the Louise
Home, which was one of Mr.. Cor
coran's notable and noble foundations.
In a way, perhaps in many ways the
Louise Home is the greatest Of Mr..
Corcoran's benefactions. A certain
degree of courage. or nerve" is re.
quired to choose this as the subject
for "ramble," because every old
knows a great deal
about the Louise Home, and many of
them know more about it than the
Rambler does yet it may be that not
many of them have lounged in the big
and imposing interior court of the
home. or In ~ warm, cosy and home
like recepttaA room. parlor and IL
brary-all e!ch in relics and memen-
toes of Mr.. Corcoran--and it is also
true that not many Wash
ington people have chatted with the
delightful and interesting women who
live there. These pleasures have
fallen to the happy lot of the RAM
bier.
The wife Of w. w. Corcoran was
Louise. Her maiden sur
name was MOrris-daughter Of Com
modore Charles Morris. a man of
merit and distinction In his own time
and Of honored memory in our time
Mr.. Corcoran and Louise Morris were
on December 23. 1895, and
she died November 21. 1S40. Mr.. Cor
coran was born in Georgetown in
l7es. He was a widower--a rich Wild
overland q man Of extensive ac-
quaintance at the age of forty-two
He died in 1888. being ninety years
DID, He never remarked and the en-
dearing remembrance In which he
held his wife was known to all his
friends and is attested in many ways
by Mr.. Corcoran's written words and
by his acts.
The only child of Mr.. and Mrs. Cor
coran to reach maturity was Louise,
VINO was named, of course. after her
mother She was born In 1898. became
the wife of George Eustis and died in
1857. Her death was a grief that Mr..
Corcoran bore until his last hour on
earth. Every parent who has lost a
child knows the bitterness Of such a
grief. Every parent who has lost an
only child can understand. Grief
such as this cannot be discussed in
cold type. Words are futile. Men and
women who have felt such a wound
heed all the consolation that sweet re-
ligion gives to bear them up.
Mr. Corcoran conceived. endowed
and named the Louise Home in mem
9ry of his wife and daughter. The
deed from Mr.. Corcoran conveying
'he property to the frst board of
trustees recites that this institution
shall always be known by the name of
the T.nuisa Hama I, NJ, ra..,