The White-House at Washington — an interesting description.
A Washington correspondent of the New York
Herald, thus describes the
White-House at
Washington, its furniture, &c. It will be seen that strong suspicions are thrown out in the article against
Mr. Buchanan's honesty, in appropriating to himself property which belonged to the
Rump Government.
Our readers will find it very interesting:
The
President's house once more assumes the appearance of comfort and comparative beauty.
Two coats of pure white paint on the outside renew its right to be designated the ‘"
White-House."’ The interior, during the last six months, has been thoroughly cleansed and almost entirely re-ornamented.
Very little new furniture has been introduced, as much of the old is substantial, having been procured in the time of
Monroe, and is not only valuable on that account, but is really very handsome, from its antique style.
Much of this old furniture, however, has been revarnished, and the chairs have been cushioned and covered with rich crimson satin brocatelle, tufted and laid in folds on the backs, rendering a moderate appearance.--Upon entering the great
East Room, two prominent things strike the eye — the paper on the walls and the carpet on the floor.--The first is a Parisian style of heavy velvet cloth paper, of crimson, garnet, and gold, gives a massive appearance to the room, and is quite rich.
In the daytime it seems rather dark; but when the soft light of the great chandeliers illuminates the room, it develops its full richness, and harmonizes to a shade.
The carpet is an ingenious piece of work, not because of its rich quality or exquisite design, but because of the fact that it is in one piece, and covers a floor measuring one hundred feet long and forty-eight feet wide.
There is nothing flashy or extravagant about its appearance.
The admiration of the beholder is not suddenly excited by a view of the whole surface, so ingeniously and beautifully, are the various figures and colors harmonized.
It is like a constellation of stars, where the beauty of one star is lost in the combined grandeur of the whole.
It is a very heavy
Axminster, with three medallions gracefully arranged into one grand medallion.
As we walk over its velvet surface from centre to sides, or from corner to corner, the most chaste and beautiful surprises of vases, wreaths and bouquets of flowers and fruit pieces excite our love of true art. The carpet, in its mechanical construction, as well as in its artistic design, is a wonder.
It was made in
Glasgow, Scotland, upon the only loom existing in the world capable of weaving one so large.
Mr. W. H. Carryl, of
Philadelphia, went to
Europe, and, after examining various patterns in different cities; including
Paris and
London, proceeded to
Glasgow and designed this.--His mission was a success.
The next attractive features among the ornamental in the East Room, are the curtains and drapery at the eight windows.
The inner curtains are of the richest white needle-wrought lace, made in
Switzerland.
Over these, and suspended from massive gold gilt cornices, are French crimson brocatelle, trimmed with heavy gold fringe and tassel work.
The
embrace, or curtain pin, at the side of each window, is of solid brass and covered in gold gilt.
The design is a commingling of banners, arrows, swords, an anchor, chain, &c., interwoven behind the
American shield, upon the front of which is a raised figure of an eagle.
Opposite the great east window of the room is the door leading to the promenade.
In order to harmonize the interior appearance of the great
East Boom, this door has been curtained with lace and crimson brocatelle, trimmed with gold fringes and tassel, to match the window opposite.
The eight mirrors in the East Room are the same that have been there for years.
Passing from the East Room, we enter the
Green or conversational room.
It has been newly papered, carpeted, and curtained; and greatly improved.
Next is the
Blue or
President's reception room.
This is the only room, when
Mr. Buchanan left the house, that was very well furnished.
A new carpet has been placed upon the floor; otherwise the room is in the same condition it was when
Mr. Lincoln took possession.
Next we come to the
Red Room.
This is properly
Mrs. Lincoln's reception room.--Everything in it is new except the splendid old painting of
Washington.
The fine pictures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and other members of the royal family, presented to the
President of the
United States for the
Presidential Mansion by the
Prince of
Wales, that hung upon the walls of this room, are missing.
I learn that they were removed to
Wheatland with
Mr. Buchanan.
He also took away from the
White House a large number of
Chinese or Japanese curiosities, intended, upon presentation, for the mansion.
All these are missing.
Nevertheless, under the general direction of
Mrs. Lincoln, (to whose excellent good taste we are chiefly indebted for the beautifying of the
President's House,) this room does not need those pictures.
It is a model of elegance and modesty combined.
The most perfect harmony prevails throughout.
The sofas, chairs, &c., are covered with rich crimson brocade satin.
The guests' room, now known as the
Prince of
Wales' room, since that youth occupied it, has been thoroughly ornamented
and refurnished.
This carpet is a beautiful
Wilton.
The paper is a light tinted purple, with a golden figure of a moss rose tree in bloom.
The principal feature of the room is the bed. It is eight feet wide and nine feet long, of solid rosewood.
The sides are cushioned and covered with purple figured satin.
The head board is a piece of rich carved work, rising eight feet above the bed, and having an oval top. Twenty feet above the floor, overspreading the whole, is a magnificent canopy, from the upper carved work of which the drapery hangs in elegant folds, being in the form of a crown, the front ornament up on which is the
American shield, with the Stars and Stripes carved thereon.
The drapery is a rich purple satin fringe, and otherwise ornamented with the finest gold lace.
The carved work is adorned with gold gilt.
The curtains to the room are made of the finest purple satin damask, and trimmed to correspond with the canopy.
The centre table is of solid carved rosewood, is quite costly and exceedingly beautiful.
The private apartments of
Mr.Lincoln and
Mrs. Lincoln are more modestly but very beautifully ornamented and furnished.
The President's library is chastely and not extravagantly refurnished.
Green is the color that predominates in this room.
The room where the
Cabinet meetings are held, and where the
President is usually to be found, is very neatly papered, but should be better furnished.
All the furniture is exceedingly old, and is too rickety to venerate
Mr. Lincoln don't complain, because it resembles so very much the dingy old room he occupied and familiarized himself with in the
State House at
Springfield, from the time he was elected until he left for
Washington.
The rooms of
Secretaries Nicolay and
Hay are ‘"near, but not gaudy."’ They are newly painted, carpeted, and curtained.
The principal ornament in
Mr. Nicolay's room is a war weapon used by the Vikings.
It is about five feet long, with at least fifty prongs, and resembles very much the weapon used by the aborigines of this country before it was much settled by the white.--This instrument of death is a great curiosity, and employs the time of the office-seekers who wait for hours in the lobbies of the
Cabinet to obtain a hearing.
This weapon is finally to be transferred to the Smithsonian institute.
Mr. Hay's room contains some valuable parchment and several elegant pieces of wax-work.
The bas relies on the mantle, and the engravings upon the wall, exhibited a taste for the beautiful and artistic.
There is also an extensive law library in this room, which the
Secretary has frequent occasion to explore, especially with reference to our international affairs.
So much for the
White House and its new decorations.
