New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-02
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A NEW DROP-CURTAIN.
DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY AT THE MADISON
SQUARE THEATRE.

DECORATIVE EMBROIDERY AT TIE MADISON
SQUARE THEATRE.
Yesterday afternoon invited guests. repre-
seutiug all the little worlds of our social planetary
tem assembled in the Madison Square Theatre to in
spect the embroidered drop.curtain which has been
made TO replace the destroyed by fire few weeks
ago. The curtain has not yet received its final
touches. but 1t lie so near completion that a
sufficient judgment perhaps be formed OF its merits
One these merits and Of the chief Is that when II
is place forms is intended 10 form, essential
part the decoration Of the whole theatre to round 10
OUT aud complete It, 1t is not accident; 1t is not
separate contribution 10 the general housekeeping Of
the establishment sent in like wedding present 10
newy-married couple, which may, may not
with their other belongings has been carefully
and thong ltfuy designed to I'LL this particular place
and doubt the artists who have created IT would feel
that enough had been said IN its praise allowed
that this end had been accomplished In our opinion
enough has not been SAID this theatre as an
architectural and artistic work is natural with u.s.
attention has been almost exclusively given to the re-
markabe mechanical oOntrvances, in The conception
and successful carving OF which Mr. Mackaye has
made for himself real distinction To the admirable
for ventilation the convenience OF the
seatngtO everything short but to the architectural
design and the artistic decoration OF The Interior OF
hafa-1Ozen persons among the assembled visitors TO
whom yesterday addressed Ourselves TO learn the
name Of the architect to whom we are indebted for
perhaps the only III
country. could tell what wanted
to know, and Mr.. Wiredel might have been
a hodcarrier for anything the company knew
to tho contrary No doubt the dOuble-stage Is
wonderful cOntrvance; doubt the comfort and con-
venlence Of every visitor have been consulted In the
seating. that there is not bad seat In the house,
the ventilation perfect and the setting Of the
stage as perfect in its way; but these things which
this mechanic, luxurious age has taught us to expect
while thoughtful architectural design, unity IN
ornamentatiOn and artistic beauty yet
too rare among us, that be justified in thinking
Of them things OF custom. To the pleasure OF
sitting in this theatre Of Mr. Wlsedelrs the
unity Of the whole aRir-in the solid foundation Of
sense and utility which Mr. Mackaye has laid with In
finite ingenuity and determined will in the beauty OF
architects lines the harmony of his proportions. the
elegance and the novelty OF his details. aud finally
IN the beauty, taste, and exquisite workman
ship OF Mr.. Louis G. TiRany's and Mrs.
Wheeers curtain. upon which the pleased rests
upon sunny landscape seen from the cool and some
what sombre richness OF grotto.
simple praise TO give this curtain that III Is the
most beautiful that has been seen, the fact being
that nothing like II has before been produced The
defenders of legitimacy, the loyal who have en-
deavored to push from their stools the wood-cutters
who have been audacious enough to make paint
ers' brushes Of their gravers, will doubt
is straight ut Mira Wheeler and her pupils
who have setting painters palette with crewels
ane satin It Is quite too awfuy leGitimato and the
worst part is that the very stitches irregu
lar aud have recommend" to show from south Ken
siugton or the Royal School Of Needlework but are
devised by Mrs. Wheeler TO suit the occasion.
In fact If there thingpeasanIer than another
this pleasant little bower OF the Muses. 1t Is the way In
which the whole artistic symphony that s played
ia worked out on American themes ideas have
beon digested In American brains. Mrs. Wheeler, aided
by MT Louis c. Tiffany experience and skill prac
tsed artst-a gentleman who has travelledmuch and to
much purpos, and made himself familiar with beautiful
oroducts of mans taste an ingenuity the world
Mrs Wheeler who brings educated wOmans taste and
sl,, Of hand-wth high purpose 6esGe, such springs
M naturally In wOman's heart, has entered on the field
Of embroidery with belief that something be done
Here nm mai field drcut from anything that has been
done tins curtain is offered to the public
os nj earnest of what sue hopes 10 perform
The design OF fnc curtain Is landscape OF our own
souiIern eountIy tue border OF stream III Florida
TIC 1rounh on which the embroidery IS Wrought IS OF
cain and velvet these tier materials being employed
e. wut.r md sandy shore, while satin IL en-
nyrd for inc bach ~ Ound misty exhaaton through
y J,yIc, ,be sun strikes aud turns It into amber
The p0rtous VI the curtain representing Tue wafer aud