Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-19

What May be Seen i'm the Old TaylOe
Mansion.
SOMETHING FROM ALL LANDS AND ALI. AGES.

The very greatest ere liz Is due to the band OF
self-sacrificing ladies who are giving up 50
much OF tier time to their duties at the Loan
Exhibition In the Old Tayloe mansion. This
house, which used to be called the ''0ctagon
House, IN itself nearly asgreat curiosity as
any Of the many treasures tt now contains
General washington selected the site for it for
bis friend Col John Tayloe OF Mount Airy, Va
who desired city residence for his family In ad
dillon to their country home at Mount Airy.
For many years this house was the scene of the
most notable entertainments given In the new
national capital. and during the time 1t was oc-
cupied by members of the Tayloe family every
foreigner or American OF distinction who came
here was entertained therein. The house was
completed about the time the seat OF govern
ment was removed here. 1t is built Of imported
brick and most OF the manteis were ma1e In
London or Paris, and are of wood moulded in
designs fashionable at that time In those cities.
AS most OF our readers know. 1t stands on the
corner OF 18th street and New York avenue.
facing the Rawlins statue.
Flags aid other bright decorations now en-
ilVen the Old halls and staircases OF the man
sion: Which, after its long slumber, knowing
30 festivities Or bright faces, seems suddenly
10 have revived its youth, as II touched by a
iaiTys wand. On the. first floor is room A
which is devoted 10 pictures. bronzes and
sculpture In marble. Some very Old paintings
a5 wen rs many OF interest and value from
tnelr intrinsic beauty, appear in the collection
ole OF these Is portrait OF Blanca Capello by
bfonZlno, who died In 1850. Several OF Stuart
portraits are shown, one OF GOV. Mexican, OF
pennsylvania. The works OF art in this room
represent some Of the best private collections
Ia Inc city. Among the ladies' in charge OF
room A are Mrs. l.. r. Mcdonald, Mrs. Tullo;k.
ana Misses Kennedy and Emery. one OF W aom
Is always on duty while the exhibition Is open.
II, Room Is devoted to antiques aud bric-a-
nrac. MISS Rlsley-SeWard, Mrs. Ricketts,, Miss
Waite, Mrs. Mcpherson and MISS LorIng are
among the ladies who take turns in displaying
It's wonders. There are here ANTIQUES in terra
COLA na glass and bronze that cover a period Of
5000 years, and specimens OF medieval and
modern workmanship In brass, silver cloisonne
and lacquer. There is Characteristic work.
manship from Europe, Asia and Africa.
glassware containing much that has interest
Ing historical associations. Miss Lizzie Robin
son, Miss Sallie Schenck and Mrs. F. b. NC
SURE are among the ladies who alternate In
Inc miniature collection is IN Room D, In
charge of Miss NJ. B. Dodge. Here Is very
valuable collection OF miniature portraits
by ST Memin. Many beautiful faces and some
historic characters are shown here.
Room has highly interesting assortment
OF washington relics and Others or Revolution
airy Gays. The curtains at the windows, which
have white ground with red figures repre-
Sent1ng characteristic scenes of the Revolution
airy epoch, belonged to the first Society of the
cincinnati. Pieces OF Martha Washington's wed
NAA1S
articles OF great interest are displayed, some OF
them loaned by Martha Wa5hngton's great
granddaughter. Mrs. KenDon, OF Tudor Place,
Georgetown, the only living person who has a
right to speak OF Martha Washington as
grandmamma." Mrs. Steuart, Mrs. Emory,
Mrs. Montgomery Blair, and Mrs. Carlile Pat.
terson are among the ladies on duty N this
room.
In room are shown the finest specimens Of
artistic needleWork, including some specimens
OF the very rare old church lace-Venetian
point. A very valuable set OF emeralds-an an
tique-is also shown here. Mrs Ross Ray, Mrs
klndleberger, Mrs. Crane, and Mrs. Ruggles
are among the ladies who Superintend this col
lection.
Japanese and Chinese works OF art OF great
merit are show1 In room G, which is under the
special care OF Drs. Kindleberger and AntiseII.
In room are seen numerous literary cur1os.
lilies and books OF all ages. Mrs. Garfield, Mrs
TIema1ne and others preside here.
Room shows many articles which contribute
to the comfort OF the sick.
Room K Is the depot for the arts OF unctvilizad
races, where many Indian curloStieS are sho Va.
Mrs. Mallery, Mrs. Powell and other ladies at
tend, In turn, to this room.
The retreShment room Is a special featura
and one which does great credit 20 the ladies' In
charge-MrS. Whitney, Mrs. BARLEY, Miss E
Caltis Smith, Mrs. John Rodgers and others
Here most excellent bill Of fare Is provided
and everything is well served and at low prices
1t Is open through the day and evening.