The Portland daily press., 1886-01-22
SECRETARY WHITNEY'S HOME.
The Center Around which the Social
Universe of Washington is Expect
ed to Revoive.
rCorr. of Chicago Inter Ocean


1t is very plainly to be seen that the wife
of Secretary Whitney is to be the leader OF
Washington society and that her home will
be the sun about which the social universe
will revolve. She is the daughter of Senator
Fl. B. Payne of Ohio, a woman of So years or
SO, not beautiful, as many of the society
writers insist, but fair and graceful and with
charm of manner that had made her popu-
lar from girl Intellectually she is bril-
liant, and has all the accomplishments neceS-
sary to perform the distinguished duty which
has fallen upon her. With immense wealth
at her command and a knowledge of its uses
she is not only fitted, but able to shine Mr..
Whitney has leased the large mansion on
street, which has been the home Of the FIRE.
linghuysens for twenty years, and is remem-
bered as the scene of many gathering to
enjoy the graceful hospitality of the former
Secretary of State and his family. Many
changes have been effected in the house since
Mr.. Whitney leased it. With the aid of a
young New York architect, Mr.. Kelly, and
of Mr.. Watson, the art decorator, the lower
part of the house has been transformed, The
entrance hall runs through the middle of the
house, leaving a library and staircase at the
right dining room across the end, and two
parlors at the left. The library has been
changed less than any part Of the house
The walls, covered with dull electric blue
paper are finished with frieze and ceiling
of pure yellow, and this glowing color is re-
peated in the heavy silk curtains draping the
windows and in the bookcase at each side of
the fireplace. The wall above the fireplace
is hung with a gorgeous bit of old yellow
plush, traced with rich design in colors,
and large pair of antique tapestry covers
another wall The carpet is dull red, and
the furniture electric blue of the same tone
as the walls. A carved screen and plush
hanging half conceals the staircase, and back
of it increased accommodations have been
given for the buffers pantry, by extending
the walls of the house a few feet
The dining room was greatly enlarged by
including with wide arch the broad porch
upon which its windows. opened, and taking
in the old pantries at the end. The wood
work of the dining room is black, and the
walls are covered with satin brocade of the
most vivid carnation. With side lights, an
imposing mantel, on which stand two old
blue jars of large size, and the antique side
board and tables glittering with their array
of silver and crystal, the dining room has
been made the most striking feature of the
house. The two parlors are carpeted, tinted
and draped in pale soft combinations in
which amber predominates. The furniture
is gilded wickerwork, finished with cushions
and ribbons of delicate tinted satin, the pale
pink and blue grounds Striped and strewn
with fine flowers. Dull pomegranate plush
curtains divide the two parlors, and beyond
the two rooms is little green walled alcove
set with palm trees, and entered through a
heavy plush curtain. A second curtain of
fine old tapestry admits one from the alcove
of palms to the large ball room, which has
been built by Secretary Whitney. This ball
room is properly the living room of the house,
and is a noble apartment over forty feet in
length, decorated in Louis XVI style. The
walls are wainscotted in dull gold, papered
in rich crimson and gold, and the golden
frieZe and ceiling are decorated with the gar
lands and festoons of the last century mode.
The room is lighted by a skylight and
stained glass and by broad bay window
that curves out at one side of the room.
Two curving lines of steps lead to the plat
form in this window, and the curtained and
cushioned alcoVe makes a pretty retreat and
break in the long wall ana serves 1or
stand for the musicians when ball is given.
The balustrade encloseS in its curves low
table set with palms, and a tall lamp with
huge umbrella shade of yellow. roses. Vel.
low is the keynote to the whole scheme OF
decoration of the room, and from the bright
amber satin shade of tall silver lamp occu-
pylng place in the middle of the room all
the tones seem to radiate.
a monumental fireplace is deeply recessed
at Ine end Of the room, paneled at the sides,
and paved before the hearthstone with yell
low Sienna marble. Rugs of different sizes
break up the long. stretch of the parquet
Iloor, ana Meg oaq chairs, pretty tables, with
antique embroideries and brocades thrown
here and there give fine artistic melange Of
colors In one corner is an old sedan chair
cleverly turned into cabinet for bric-a-hrac
and at another place Is grand piano Gov,
cred with rare old piece of velvet draperv.
At one side of the fireplace is a large giltt.
framed arm chair, upholstered with a piece
of Genosese velvet of alpurple and whine.
This is distinctively the Presidents chair,
and while it occupied a place in Mrs. Whit