Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-18
THE WHITE HOUSE CIRCLE.


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THE WHITE HOUSE CIRCLE.
Mrs. Lords Illness and Its Effect on the
Gayeties of the Season.
MRS. HARRIsoN's RECENT APPREHENsIoxs con-
CERNING HER sISTER-THE FIRST LADY AS A
PATRON OF DECORATIVE ARr-THE POSTMASTER
GENERALS WASHINGTON HOUSE.
The visit Of Mrs. Harrison to Lindenhurst.
the elegant home of Postmaster General Wanna
maker in the vicinity of Philadelphia, was very
enjoyable and will long be pleasantly remem-
bered, but since her return to the executive
mansion she has felt very sad and anxious on
account of the condition of her sister. Mrs.
Lord. When Mrs. Harrison left Lindenhurst
for visit to her sister, he also contemplated
a shopping tour and consultation about some
new toilets for the approaching season.
She was greatly surprised to find
that Mrs. Lord had not made the
Improvement which she had expected. al
though she is having the best attention of
treatment. The illness of Mrs. Lord is of a
nervous character, attended with great pros
tration, the immediate effects of over cxcrtion
III assisting her sister i'll the rehabilitation of
the domestic economy of the White House.
1t Is evident that Mrs. Harrison is feeling
very apprchenslve concerning the prospects CT
her sisters recovery. She was so much grieved
that she entirely abandoned all other matters
she had in view in New York and remained at
her sisters bedside until the last moment pre-
v1ous to her return to Philadelphia.
If Mrs. Lord does not materially improve
the gayeties of the White House will be very
much affected as the affection between the two
sisters has always been very close.
At the White House the spirit of mental
culture and artistic Improvement dominates
the leisure moments of the first lady of the
land. Under Mrs. Harrson's patronage u class
for French instruction, composed OF fashion
able Indies. has been proposed, and had their
experimental lesson at the White House today,
under the instruction OF French professor
Mrs. Clarkson. who member of the class, il
quite enthusiastic and expects that the court
ladies of the republic Will be quite expert
linSuists in another season.
CLASS IN CHINA PAINTING.
A congenial occupation in the line of her
tastes has been taken up by Mrs Harrison By
inviting professor of Polish lineage, but lat
tcrly OF Chicago and indianapolis, to come 10
Washington and open ~ class for instruction in
painting on china and porcelain. A class of
twenty-five pupils has been formed among the
ladies. On the list are Mrs Harrison the
Misses Morton, daughters of the Vice pregi-
dent. Miss Wanamakcr, Mrs. Adoc. Mrs. Tweed
ale. Mrs. Philip Dodge. Mrs. Vim. Moses Mrs.
Shcdd, Mrs. James Ii. Mari. Mrs. John L.
Dcall, Miss Ella Noores. Miss Mary Morgan,
Mrs. Col. Dye, Mrs. Paul, Mrs John JOY Edison,
Mrs. j. W. Chickering, the 5iIases Taylor Airs
s. II. Bond, Mrs. CammaCk, Mrs. Reside,
daughter of Representative Harmer, Miss
Amanda Newton and Mrs. John b. Wight of
Kendall Green.
The handsome kiln which Mrs Harrison
used in firing her own china in indianapolis
has IN iohf aud hoe, Loo,
set up at her home at Kendall Green. The
ladies are very enthusiastic over their proposed
winters work. The connoisseurs III ceramics
viii have some agreeable surprises to discuss
at the fashionable drawing rooms when the fair
pupils composing the class are heard from.
POSTMASTER GENERAL wANAMAKER's HOME.
During the past summer the Postmaster Gen
eral has expended good many thousand dol
lars III making the residence which he pur-
chased from ex-Secrctary Whitney at high
price-some $50, 0O0-suitable to his tastes, in
fact, 1t might be said. to make it habitabie. Ii
was supposed when the house was purchased
with its furniture that it was suitable for immc-
date housekeeping. The Postmaster General
was therefore greatly surprised to find
that many articles like china, silver,
linen and other appliances of domes-
TIC use and comfort were not the
property of the eX-Secretary, but were hired
for the occasion. When this discovery was
the articles, the time of their lease having ex-
pircd, it became necessary for the Postmaster
General to send his butter to Washington to re-
connoitor the premises and find out what
was required to fill the gaps occa-
stoned by the removal of the articles
which the Postmaster General supposed
had been included in the purchase
The butler retained to Lindcnhurst and n
new outfit was sent down much richer in
quality and design.
The library, drawing rooms, dining room
and halls have been entirely rcfittcd III the
most costly styles of modern decorative art
The ball room. which was the scene Of so much
terpsichorean grace, motion ana Gayety has
been converted into picture gallery. A few
days ago. when it was supposed that every
thing in readiness to receive Mrs
Wauamaker, the ceiling of the famous
bail room came down, disclosing a de-
gree OF shoddy workmanship which was
amusing, mildly speaking. 1t was discovered
that the ceiling instead of having substantial
backing OF lath and plaster, was simply a cover
ing of a very ordinary fabric. The workmen
were hurriedly summoned, and the boosted
ball room, said TO have cost SO, 900, which was
nothing but II damask-covered shell, is beng
substantially finished. Mrs. Wanamaker viii
have her Thanksgiving dinner i'll her beautiful
home at I.indenhurst, after which - will come
to Washington for the season. De ;. R.K.