Evening star., 1936-06-28

IN 60 Just as many nave already
wv passed in review. before we
Il shall find a more capable or
q more versatile President than was
John Quincy Adams-the "Old Man
Eloquent, as he has been called.
While yet mere boy he twice accom-
panied his father to Europe. Gradu-
ating from Harvard in 1877. he studied
law, and commenced practice in Boston
in 1890. In l794 he was appointed by
Washington Minister to Holland. and
in 1897 his father, who was then Presi-
dent, gave him the mission to Berlin.
Being recalled by Jefferson, he ran for
the United States Senate was elected
and served from 1903 and until he re-
signed June s. 1903.
When James Madison became Presi-
dent in 1909 he was designated Min
lister to Russia, and on December "a
1914. he, in conjunction with Clay and
Gallatin, concluded the treaty OF
Ghent. From 1917 to 1925 he was
Secretary of State; President, 1925 to
1929. and served in the House of Rep
resentatives from 1881 until the time of
a resident of Washington for "a years.
was a taxpayer here and was regarded
as one of our own.
Like many of our great men who
have lived here, there is or should be
at least. a historic atmosphere of the
second John Adams in and around
washington. for. during the many
l., zify- ,NNc n
resided in a number of places. He had
his regular swimming place. his pleas
ant walks. and his bride paths, where
he took his horseback rides, for Mr..
Adams was great believer in health
full exercise and never missed an op-
portunity to be out in the open.
WHEN Mr.. Adams first became Sec
retary of State, in 1917. according
TO the Congressional Directory, he re-
sided on the high ground north OF
PENNSYLVANIA avenue between the
bridge at the foot of the Capitol and
Davis Hotel. which seems to have been
the Grammar or Lutz house, which
stood until recently at the northeast
corner of John Marshall place and G
street
The following year he lived on the
high ground north of Pennsylvania
avenue. near the Tiber Greek. and this
was probably at c and Sixth streets, IN
a house he leased from Daniel Brent,
who was the chief clerk Of the State
Department. BY 1919 his address was
changed to F street, west of the Branch
Bank. as the Office of Discount ana
Deposit, the branch of the Bank OF the
United States, was then generally
called and which stood on the north
EAST corner of and Thirteenth streeLs.
This building was erected in 1901
It is highly probable, therefore, that
1919 is the earliest date that he moved
into what later became known as the
Adams Building, three-story brick,
owned by Richard Cults, who occupied
It up to this time, and here Mr.. Adams
remained until he went to the Whlte
House in 1925. While here, however
he enlarged the residence with an
addition to the east, making 1t so feet
wide. the width of the lot.
cent years became known as 1883
1885 T street, was one of the most
fashionable homes then in the city,
and it was here that Mrs. Adams gave
a ball which was not surpassed IN
grandeur for many years 1t TOOK
place on the eve of the battle of New
Orleans. January 8. 1924, and was in
zF To- yInn attended
together with a company of about
1000. An old account says:
The Adams Building was for many
wears the residence of John Quincy
Adams, when he was Secretary of
State in the Monroe cabinet. What
is known as Mrs Adams ball took
place in that building on the evening
of January 8, 1924 1t was in COM
memoration of the victory of Gen.
jackson at New Orleans, and doubt
II there ever was social function
held in this city or, indeed, this coun-
try. which created more of social
and political sensation. 1t was the
talk of the entire country, and it was
thought that it paved the way to the
nominatio of Mr. Adams to the
presidency.
There was no illumination possible
in that day except from the whale
oil lamp and tallow, wax or sperm
candle, but what was lacking on the
inside was made up by a series of
bonfires outside, which extended all
the way from Thirteenth to Fifteenth
streets. From descriptions of the
toilets worn by the ladies at Mrs. |
Adams ball, it appears that in the !
full dress of the ladies of that period |
the dress waists ended just under the |
arms and its depth, front and back, !
was not over or 4 inches. The
skirts we're narrow and plain and
terminated by a flounce Just resting
on the floor. Slippers and silk stock |
ings of the color of the dress were
worn and tied with gay ribbons over
the instep. The hair was combed
high and fastened with a tortoise
shell comb, the married ladies wear
ing ostrich feathers and turbans. The
beaux of the ball wore blue coats
with gilt buttons. and white or buff
waistcoats, white neckties and high
chokers silk stockings and pumps"
NEARLY all the great men in
Washington at that time at
tended this notable ball and certain
Mr. Agge. whose poetic mind was
thrilled by the pomp and splendor of
the occasion. wrote at the time the
following lines which are worth re-
peating
"Wend you with the world tonight?
Brown and fair, and wise and
witty,
Eyes that float in seas of light,
Laughing mouths and dimples !
pretty,
Bellies and matrons, maids and !
madames,
All are going to Mrs. Adams