MRS. WILLIAM H. TAFT
(Copyright, 1908, by Harris & Ewing,
Washington. D. C.)
It was modeled after the palace of the Duke of Leicester by the architect, James Hobon. The foundation was laid October 13, 1792, and the building was first occupied by President John Adams in the summer of 1800. It was partially burned by the British in 1814. The front is ornamented by Ionic columns and a projecting screen with three columns. The space between these two sets of columns constitutes a carriage-way, admitting to the main entrance.
The White House proper contains but thirty-one rooms. The building was refitted and the wings for approach and for the private offices of the President were built during the administration of President Roosevelt. Whether seen through the tracery of leafless trees or through the verdure of summer, the White House always looks cool, restful, and beautiful. The situation is not regarded as very healthful, but everything that modern science can do is now being employed to improve its sanitary condition.
All official duties will in time be attended to in the offices which are situated just west of the White House, so that the latter will be used only as the private residence of the President's family.
Longfellow says:
All houses wherein men have lived and died
Are haunted houses.
How true this must be of the home of our Presidents! George Washington watched its building, and with his stately wife walked through it when it was finished, and was satisfied. They were about ready to leave the scene of action, but they did much to prepare the stage for the procession of Presidents which has followed.
For the last fifty years much complaint has been made that the house has not been large enough and that it was lacking in modern conveniences, but in spite of these objections no trouble has yet been experienced in finding men who were quite willing and even anxious to occupy it.