National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-13
STOKES, DARKROOM.
An Intorcsting Description OF the Benuti-
fuI Place by "Gntb.'

fuI Place by "Gntb."
Stokes, the man who shot Jim Fiske, has made
n great success by keeping what mny be called an
art bar-room. The high price of paintings within
the past five ten years has made several persons
Of sporting rrocliviCs 10 give their attention to
artistic matters. Spencer, who was long one Of
the partners of John Morrissey, has been con-
noiscur In paintings for many years. and 1t is said
that he has made more money in the figures than
in any other. He had q sale two or three years
ngo which brought him between $500 900 and $780,
00O He keeps Informed of what the French art
lists are doing having very little faith in any other
school, aud frequently gives an order for picture
about to be begun or scarcely matured. mot him
a few days ago In Stokes house, which is portion
of the Hoffman Hotel, on Broadway, New York.
THE HOFFMAN HOUSE
is wedged in the middle Of block. Stokes made
considerable money selling mines or something of
that kind In England, desired to get in the hotel
business, and he bought an interest in the Hoffman
House, and has purchased dwelling houses on the
two side streets. His bar-room comes out opposite
the side of the Finh Avenue Hotel, and is large
place, perhaps seventy by flfy or sixty feet witha
high ceiling, richly painted and ornamented.
Expensive rugs are laid on the tiled floor, and ma
hog1nY furniture of the cafe style Is distributed
around, while the walls are covered with the best
class of paintings most of them put under glass in
order TO keep the tobacco smoke from soiling
them. A family by the name of Wolf Of this city,
who inhabta q largo house on Madison Square,
OWNED A COSTLY PICTURE
by Bougaroau, and 1t wHs sold niter having been
in their possession n number Of years, aud Stokes
purchased II. II is about twelve feet high by seven
eight feet wide, aud il the largest picture have
ever seen of Bougareau. Spencer said to me that
IL was the superior of any painting in the Louvre
in Paris, and would grow In value every year.
Stokes paid littl0 over 10000 for it. 1t repre-
sents Sntyr, who has been pecping at q number
of nymphs bathing, and they, having discovered
him. are trying to drag him into the water and
give him q ducking. The Satyr has black hair and
beard, and rustic countonance well bron2ed, and
goay legs, of course He Is crouching on the bank
of the stream, with the green woods behind him.
nffUrding most clear and beautiful contrast 10 the
naked limbs of the nymphs, all Of whom are full
life size, or larger and
ExQuIsTTELY PAINTED
One is pulling him by the arm, another by the
hair, and third is pushing him by tho head;
while q fourth, taking hand in the performance,
Is bcckoning with her outstretched hand to certain
other nymphs who nre seen further down the
stream, calling to them for assistance. The sun
shines through the woods and strikes one of these
| beautiful creatures upon the skim making de-
| lightlnl golden tint; and spots of sunshine also
strike the others and they are indeed portraits,
| If from tho noblest models to be found. The at
mosphere of this saloon n good deal like tho late
| James Fisks-nudc figures In bronze and models
Of life size standing hero and there, and music
| boxes, vases, wood carvings. &C., abOundng
| Some of the pictures nre Of animal studies but
| they are all costly things, such us might adorn
GATH