National Republican., 1883-06-14
Mr. James Whistler the Esthetc Painter
at His Home In Tite Street.
The Menu and the Company-Mr Oscar Wilde Minus
His Sampsonian Locks,
yho English Capital in the Throes OF n
Fashionable Season,
Sp,efai Corrcspopdence.


luncheon party; then the tailor or dress.
maker after that tea from to $3.50; drive
in the park until Z then dress for dinner at
: at one looks in at the opera or play; at
1880 a "smal and carly;" at If reception
at IL a soiree, and at ] n german.
Imagine what physical strength is required
in order to keep up this sort of life. In Lon
don to be in the fashion one must do as does
the rest Of the world.
Sunday Mr.. James Whistler (called Jimmy
in vulgar parlancc) gave n breakfast at "the
Studios" his new house in Tite street. The
hour named was II, and many arrived at that
time The ignominy of being late does not
count at Mr.. Whistler's. Sunday is really
n hospitable reception day, and the great
painter welcomes his guests late or carly with
the same cordiality. The cook may rage, the
chaps may grill to desperation but the com.
pany must be in some way completed before
any one sits down.
"The Studios" is built much in the fashic
of ordinary houses. Bricks, mortar, wood,
and glass have with hands been raised up
into habitation, and therein dwels the cec.
bratod American aesthetic artist. Beyond
that cannot note anything special about the
place. The host probably out of respect for
the varied opinions usually passed upon his
efforts, spared his guests sight Of novelties.
There were many canvases but all turned
face to the wall.
When the visitors bell had rung for the
twentieth time the gay guests entered upon
the business of the day. The company was
prolific of lords and ladies, honorables and
madums, herald or two, stray Bas- -Bleu, a
well known scrbblor, q famous portraitist,
and another whose name is also not unknown
to fame.
youth with velvet cutaway, danced int1
the apartment. i noticed n full boyish face,
n shapely head crowned with aromatic locks.
al Taa 10 a,,l
son, shorn of his hair but not of his strength.
think that unlike Dclilah's victim, he retains
quSe as much of that as - as he ever had
said with surprise:
"Mr. Wilde"
A low laugh was my answer, and the gen.
tleInan spoke.
Yes; see you scarcely recognize me.
lt's-its my hair"
You look like a Greek statue"
No, not Greek; Roman. thought of my
favorite character in history, and decided to
look as like him as possible. | went to the
Louvre in Paris and decided upon-Noro."
gasp: THE. gentleman who fddled
while Rome was"
"The same. You SEQ the change in my
hair is almost a national problem, but don't
at all mind troubling people to solve it,"
1t suits you (gravely), and you look quite
historical Your barber should have " c.
/ must congratulate him on SO superior
work of art, but don't it hurt"
"What?' r......e..
"Why, pinching your hair upon pins and
then ironing it outl"
"Oh no. ] am quite patient The hair is
thick; there's no danger of getting at my
head"
" No; others have likewise failed"
20 smiled. Are you chatting"
No; but in the Neronic head dress you
are certainly success"
3rpalk fnsL il waiIinp.N A fine yOipn well
tempered, ingrainGd, breaks upon tho ear.
'Tis that of Mr. Whistler's butler. Oh, by the
way, this gentleman was dressed in ordinary
black-not clothed in the yellow plush livery
which startled the visitors at the Bond street
gallery some time ago. Quite change and
really rational.
The dining room at the studios is simple.
The principal decorations are the walls, cor
rdors, aud door. Tho latter is yellow, the
fol,ner "A saddencd tea color.
Two pots or vases stood against the wall
near buffer. One was higher than the
other. They were wide apart and void of
any decoration, The color was queer, and
that was all.
The porcelain was real Goode sickly whit
ish, with cranes necks, crabs, small fish, birds
wings, bees, and other dainty creatures
cooked i'll good blue color into the yielding
clay. In the center of the table was large
basin in deeper color. 1t was half filled with
ing alone at one side of the surface
They had been denuded of their
green and looked like twin Gardenias
at a wedding breakfast. Several flower stands
were on the table, each one filled with common
flowers in every shade cfyellow Add to this
an mproyisod fog which chose at that mo-
ment TO drop upon London. The home being
upon the Thames embsnkment, Mr.. Whistler's
dining room had the full benefit of this
morning mist. We were treated TO another
natural symphony in topaz with an auroate
of citron crocus, aud tho gentle dafodil, will
ing guests at the feast. And what feast I!
Quite perfect, | assure you. The menu was
rather original. Hero it is:
symphony de Hors d'nuvres,
d'habtude
Poisson-Mackereau ct Turbot, sauce de beurre
dormoTe yellow.
P0lygOue.
oeuls broulles, en- amille-sauce tomato.
Rice fTiltCrs-a / Americain
Corn COnes-Olc NiTgnny.
CGtelettes o'Agneau-Malgre la Refine
n, R.-Mr. Whistler being an American citizen,
the fact OF Queen Victoria not eating lamb this
season. enabled the artist To place substantial sad
dies OF the aforementioned before his guests
Menu continued:
Poulet brai5e--G Ia main gauohe.
Studies in biscuitG--arranGements In butter.
PoiTes deguiaes-sans poll.
Vim.
Chateau, so so, ct so on.
Refrain d. Hors d muyres.
III puis le cafe.
CrGspeSGule de liqueurs
As II is rudo to look gift horse in the
mouth, so II would not be right TO inquire
why SIR. Whistler's breakfasts are associated
with Sunday 1t is possible that in his piety
he may have scruples as to making that day
other than one of rest from his labors, or that
in his unmeasurod hospitality he has found
that no can secure thereby the larger number
of his guests. Certain it may be We with
nll tho world, counted il great privilege to
obey his quaint summons A large card
finely engraved with "Mr. Whistler request,
the honor OF so and so to breakfast at -
then comes sort of rope ladder
ON the bias going into one corner where the
date is conspicuous. These cards are really
planGurres. The artist designs and writes
them himself Mine was also decorated
Something In something have not yet fount
out what. Posterity will undoubtedly rende
the artist his just dues in case fail, and a
present l am inclined to leave it to tn,
former.
As the hours wore on the fog lifted. w
were again forcibly struck with the delicac!
of tho host. The pictures were still turne,
TO the wall, but the painting room wore al
uncommonly happy look. My eye roVed ever.
now and then in their direction. POO
thingsw said Whistler, "let them rest, it,
Sunday"
Removal OF the Chinese Legation.
The Chinese minister has leased DR.. Mack
allis residence on ii street, between Twelft
, and Thirteenth streets northwest, and the le
cation will be removed there in a few days