Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-04
HON. LEVI Il. MORTON.
His Splendid Hospitality while Minister
to France.

Paris Correspondence Philadelphia Telegraph
Under the official regime of Mr.. and Mrs.
Morton the American legation was lodged in
palace. The United States government does
not possess in the great capitals of Europe any
buildings in which to lodge its legations; but
for four years the one in Paris Wed success
fully with the splendid ambassadorial abodes
in that city of England, Austria and Russia.
The spacious hotel on the Placedes Flats Unis
(afterward inhabited by the duke de Padua)
was the scene Of a lavish and continual hos
pitality, which has left brilliant memory be-
hind it, not only among the Americans but
also in the highest French social circles. The
spacious drawing-room, whose furniture in
gold yellow brocade had originally been made
for Christina. queen dowager of Spain, was
adorned with fine works of art, prominent
among which was ''The Burial of AIanon Les
caut." by Dagnan-Bouveret. and the noble
portrait of Mr. Morton by Bonnat. one of the
masterpieces of that powerful and conscien-
tious pencil. The personal charms of
Mrs. Morton made a deem impression on
Partisan society. and her Worth toilettes
and magnificent jewels seemed to form
fitting setting for her beauty. Her winning
manners and the kindly courtesy of Mr.. Morton
always made their reception days peculiarly
agreeable. One was always sure, too, of meet
Ing in that hospitable drawing-room some one
or other of the noteworthy personages of the
day, French "a well as American. Their enter
tainmentS were always on an extensive scale.
They gave one grand general evening reception
or bail each winter during their stay, inter-
spersed with minor receptions dancing parties,
DC, throughout the season. On an average
there was dinner party of twenty-four covers
given once week. as long as Mr.. and Mrs.
Morton stayed in Paris. They generally went
to the seashore or to Switzerland in the sum
mer on account of the health of their children.
Since the election of General Harrison, the one
exclamation that / have heard on the subject
from their Partisan friends is. May we not
hope now to have Mr.. and Mrs. Morton back in
Paris again?' A good deal OF disappointment
is invariably manifested when the questioner
is told that our new Nice-President and his
charming wife are claimed henceforward by
Washington society.
THE PLACE DIES ErATs UNIs.
The story about the remaining of the open
square on which their hotel was situated will.
L think, bear repeating, and the more as it
is literally true. When Mr. and Mrs Morton
first arrived in Paris they had some difficulty in
finding a residence at once comfortable and
spacious, and exactly suited to their tastes.
The handsome hotel that Mr.. Morton afterward
engaged was precisely what was required. But
the name of the square. when he first in
spected it. was the Place Bitsche. having been
christened bv the municipal authorities after
gallant defense against beseging foe. Natu-
rally Mr.. Morton objected to living on a square
bearing such a peculiar name, and the more
so as his naughty countrymen had already
commenced to concoct wicked jokes on
the subject. So he frankly stated his
objections to the owner of the hotel, who
at once rushed off to interview the municipal
authorities and to bewail his hard luck in not
being able to rent his house to such an adj
vantageous tenant and all on account of the
name of the square. Forthwith an eloquent
document was officially promulgated to the eff
feet that in view of the long friendship exist
ing between France and the United States. and
also because the new minister from that coun-
try was about to take up his abode on the space
aforesaid, its name should be changed to that
of the Place des Etats Unis, anda square on the
other side of the city should receive the dis
carded appellaton of Place Bitsche. SO every
body was satisfied and America is honored, not
only in the names of the Rue Washington and
the Rue Lincoln, but also in the designation of
the handsome square, whose most sumptuOus
dwelling was for four years the residence of the
latest of our republican ministers.