Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-08
HOUSES OF GREAT PEOPLE.
Washington Palaces Adapted to the
Uses of Entertaining.

"Of all Washington houses" said q society
woman of English birth the other day to a
STAR writer, probably the best adapted for
purposes of entertaining is the British lega-
ton. The rooms are so altogether suitable for
dancing, and, as of course you know, the din
ing room Is one of the finest in this country.
There is something at once homelike and
superb about the legation inside. 1 consider
the establishment an illustration of the fact
that the English are the most civilized people
In the world. We may laugh at and revile
their aristocracy-I speak as one now consider
ing herself an American-but they are way
ahead OF us in most of the refinements of life
The art OF entertaining they understand to a
perfection not at all attained on this side of
the water. If you don't believe it visit the
British legation
OTHER FINE WASHINGTON DWELLINGS.
'Do you not find any other houses in Wash
ington well equipped for entertaining?"
'Oh. yes indeed. For instance, Mr.. Nor
tons house is most delightfully."- arranged for
entertaining. The most important thing for
such purposes Is to have an extended sweep Of
rooms. Now, since the new addition has been
put on, there is in the Vice Presidents house
a stretch of ITO feet of drawing rooms and din
ing room in straight line. This affords most
you doubtless are aware, the new addition gives
room for separate entrance and exit for
guests at parties and other entertainments,
with second porte cochere outside and large
dressing rooms and cloak rooms within. 1t is
quite new idea to me. and on the whole
have no hesitation in saying that the Morton
establishment is as well equipped as any have
visited III my native country In fact
there are very few of the great houses in Eng
land so well provided with entertaining facili-
f1nO ia fln Nr.A
low stairs it Is marvel. To begin WITH there
are two chefs. one n general manager and the
other pastry cook. while all the appointments
are marvelously complete"
THE wANAMAXERs' ESTABLISHMENT.
"How about the Wanamakers'?"
'Their house is very we'll adapted for enter
tanning purposes, particularly now that the
great ball room built by the Whtneys has
been added. 1t was reported some time ago
l have understood, that Mr.. Wanamaker con-
templated turning the ball room into Sunday
school, taking down the damask wall covering
preliminarily. However. the predictions do
not seem likely to be fulfilled On the con-
trary the Wanamakers are entertaining con-
slderably, although, of course. in no such gor-
geous way as the Whitneys did Nor is this
surprising. know it to be fact that when
the last Secretary of the Navy was appointed
Mrs. Whitney was given by her brother. Mr.,
Payne, $780, 600 to be used exclusively for en-
tertaing during the four years of the Cleveland
administration. And furthermore, Ihave every
reason for believing that the money was actually
so spent. Certainly Washington is not likely
to see such gorgeousness as was DISPLAYED in
the OLD Frclinghuysen house during the Whit
ney regime for many years to come. Mr.. Wanna
maker never used to allow wines to served at
his house in Philadelphia. 1 don't know
whether he permits it here or not. Maybe he
has relaxed little of his severity since he came
to the capital Once upon n time Tread an in
tervlew with Mr.. Wanamaker in which he said
that he had never in his life drunk drop of
wine, danced. gone to the theater, visited the
dinarliy termed rational amusements. 1 sus-
pect that now. he is cabinet officer he is less
OF an ascetic than he used to be-"
AS TO THE LETTERS
"What do you think of the Letters house?"
''You mean, of course, the Blaine house oc-
cupied by them on Dupont circle. 1t is hand
some residence, but not at all well adapted for
entertaining. There are only two parlors
available for dancing, and in Haltzing from one
room to the other you must jump over the
brass rod on which the folding doors run lest
you trip up. Perhaps altogether the most
available house for parties in Washington. with
the exception of the British legation. Is DR..
Hammonds. l have never been able to mag
Inc why so magnificent mansion should be
placed in such locality. The hall itself is as
big as large ball room. in the shape of a ro-
tunda, and you may go through a dozen apart
ments before You arrive at the living rooms of
the household. Among other houses in WASH
lngton which consider superb enough to vie
with any private residences abroad are those of
Gen. Nicholas Anderson, Justice Gray, Col,
John Hay, Henry Adams and the Tucker
mans"