Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-28
MR. RElD's MANSION.
Tho superb Establishment of Our Min
lister to France.

Letter 20 the Philadelphia Telegraph
The homo Of the American Minister and
Mrs. Reid is one Of the most magnificent
OF the private residences Vt Paris. IL was
originally the home Of tine Countess De
GrammOnt, who was born Mile. Sahatier
The father OF the Countess was formerly
the French Consul-Gcncral 10 Egypt, aud
he had acquired vast collection Of
Egyptian curiosities, which he had
cuused 20 be arranged ia tho vast
hall Of his splendid hotel, which at
his death became the property Of his
daughter. IL must be confessed that this
hall, when our present representative ~
Paris came 70 ,akc mp his residence in bis
new abode, was anything but cheerful in
It's aspect. II was adorned with mummics
in their cases, with statues of Isis and
Osiris in black basalt, and with cabinets
filed with Old Egyptian bTOuZes, pottery,
etc, larger pieces Of bronze being placed on
brackets along the walls. Tho effect was
depressing. not so say funcreaL Minister
Reid caused all these dusky curlositlcS to
be carefully packed away, and has had the
walls hung with brOcatelle Of q crimson
brown and figured with a design IA deep
yellow. Only the marble sph'nxes that
decorate the balusirade ends Of the
grand staircase remain 10 tell Of the Egyp-
tOlOgy Of the builder of the mansion. OPP
posite the staircase is the door leading 10 q
series Of sumptuous drawing-roOms. he
smaller sized of these and the first Of the
suite is panclled with Louis XIV. groups
after Boucher. The grand drawing-roo
is panelled and furnished with crimson
brOcaded satin. The cCrnice IS richly
carved and gilt, forming setting 70 q
painted ceiling representing q cloud-heck-
ed sky. IN front Of the window stands a
llfe-size statue of Helen Of Troy by an
Italian artist. Beyond this apartment is
the dining-room, where tweuty-four per
sons can be seated AZ table. Mr.. and Mrs.
Reid gave on Saturday evening last din
ner party in honor of Minister IOriug.
the newly-appointed United States Min
lister to Portugal, and Mrs. Loung
The guests included Mrs. Glover. for
mcrly Miss Dora Miller, Of Washing
ton: Mis-. and Miss McGinuis. Of
Chicago. Mrs. Haggin, Of San Francisco;
Mr.. Armand DUmarcsq, the Well-knoVn
French military painter; Mr.. Farragut, tine
son Of the famous Admiral. hr. Benny, OF
San Francisco; DT. Iouncr. Mr aud Mrs.
Robert ". Hooper, Mr. LOubat, and others.
Some of the toilets were extremely upcrb.
Mrs.. Reid WAS attircd in black tulie, the
skirt front striped withlne- If embroidery
iu minute steel beads and spnuClc9. \ band
of similar embroidery encirclcd the corsqge
40 the bust. and a ru1-shaped ornament lu
black gauze. embroidered with steel and
sti9cned with wire, rose on either shoulder.
A magnificent diamond necklace, support
ing pendant formed of large diamond,
and three diamond roses, set lu front Of the
corsaee. formed the lady's ornaments. Ms.
LOriug wore very superb toilet IN rose
punk pam de Sole and white grounded chine
silk. figured with large flowers. The tram
and corsace and the front drWor'es Of the
skirt were composed of the pfof de soie, the
draperies being caught together NJ one side
over a side panel of the chine silk yelled In
point lace. The corsage had q vest 70 cor
respond with this panel. Mrs. Cloyer's
dress was in silvcr-gray satin brocaded
with groups Of small, gaily-colorcd flowers.
Mrs. NcGinns was arraycd in pcarlgray
brocade with skirt front in embroidered
gauze OF the same hue. Mrs. Haggln's toilet
was in white satin with blue sash. One
of the dresses worn on this occasion was
entirely in point lace over gold-yellow
SATIN. The table was adorned with a large
silver ccntrc-piece representing n ship and
filed with roses, and also with great bou-
quets Of roses in vases of silver.