The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-18
ART AT THE CAPITAL.
How Noted Society Women Have
Decorated Their Homes.
MRS. HARRIsoN's PAINTINGS.
Mrs. Senator Hearst's Magnificent DIM
fng-Room-An April FOOLS Feast
With Silver Doughnuts.

school OF painters here now, ana the eof-
coran gallery has a regular art college,
which is supported by fund which the
millionaire philanthropist left Mr. wan
amaker's gallery contains only few oil
the finest pictures of Washington, and you
will find elegant paintings and works OF
real art in nearly every statesman house.
The art tastes of the people of the United
States have been greatly improved within
the past few years, and we have number
of ladies here who could make a living by
colors and brushes, If they had to.
MRS. PRESIDENT HARRrsos's ART WORKS.
Mrs. Harrison's ability in painting and
china decorating is already SO well known
that there remains little to be said ON the
subject The private apartments OF the
White House bear many evidences OF TINS
artistic talent on the part of its mistress.
Two water-color scenes at Cape May,
painted during her stay at that place last
summer, are prettily framed in gold, and
hang in the presidents room on the wall
where his first glance on awaking, will fall
upon them. By the dressing table
in silvered frame, is
third water color, white orchid, the DELI
cate tints of which are shown to advantage
by the moss-green velvet mat in which 1t
is set. Several bits of porcelain painting
ornament the walls of the library, and
charming studies of flowers are scattered
about throughout the sleeping apartments.
The flower pieces placed on exhibition at
the art exhibit of the Cosmos Club last
spring are not considered by Mrs. Har-
rison as among her best works, and they
were only allowed to appear at the
earnest solicitation of those IN
charge of the exhibit. A piece of work of
which Mrs. Harrison is justly proud is the
painting of orchids sent TO Chicago, and
from there 10 the Cincinnati exhibit few
weeks since. A new feature of art work
which Mrs. Harrison has recently taken
up, is painting on tapestry, in which she
has taken number of lessons from Mr..
Putzki. German artist, formerly resid-
ent of Indianapolis, in whose career the
mistress of the White House has taken
such an active interest as to get up
a large class of scholars, setting the
example herself of going to his studio,
where she was last year one of the most
punctual attendants throughout Lent.
Formerly Mrs. Harrison took great pleas
ure in preparing bits of her handiwork for
distribution among her friends at Christ
mas, but during the last two years her Of
fetal duties have precluded the possibility
of her keeping up this custom.
LITERARY ARTIST.
Mrs. n. S. Lincoln, wife of the eminent
surgeon, in addition to the distinction of
being an author and an acknowledged So
ciety leader, is quite famous as a hostess,
inasmuch as her dinners and luncheons
are always marked by the charm of origin
atty, while in all other respects conform
ing to the rules Of conventionality. This
matter, difficult of achievement as it
naturally is, has been reduced by
her to perfect science, which is
ut once the envy and admiration
of those friends so fortunate to be in
cluded in the list Of invited guests. With
true artistic instinct, Mrs. Lincoln has
made the outward setting of these little
feasts a fitting one, and the dining.room is
in all respects what it should be To accord
Herewith. There is harmonious
mingling of dark waxed
floor, Turkish rags, polished mahogany
furniture, pretty crimson-lined hooks
filled with bric-a-brac and bronzes and
pictures, over which the light from log
fire throws the requisite picturesqueness
of warmth and shadow. There are hang
ing cabinets of rare china, and over the
buffet, lowering like presiding genius, is
white owl, the outstretched wings of
which touch on either side the curved
walls of the niche in which it is placed.
GUILDS MAIL.
Among the most notable luncheons
given by Mrs. Lincoln, was that on last
Valentines day, when each of the guests
carried away with her a dainty set of
verses of pleasant personalities, especially
written for her by the hostess. The deco
rations of the table were symbolical of the
occasion, the center ornament of GRIM
son flowers beng pierced by long
golden dart. Just before coffee was
served, a loud knock was heard, and
SMILING maid entered. bearing big square
bag with paddock marked in gold.
'Cupid's Mall" The contents being dis
tributed, each guest was glatihed to find
that special envelope had been prepared
in her honor and that the cupids disported
themselves among the hearts and rose
bowers in specially.quaint and appropriate
manner.
AN APRIL FOOLS FEAST.
Another luncheon worthy of mention
was one given some years ago to Mrs.
Winnie Grey, of New York, at that time
Miss Title Frelinghuysen. All unwilling
~ on the part of the guest of honor the
date set by her for the luncheon fell on All
Fools day, the LIST of April, but the host
ess resolved TO take advantage of the same
and in her own clever fashion
render the occasion memorable Ac-
eordingly the center-pjece which greet
ed the sight of the amused
guests was big fool's-cap of pink and
blue satin, jingling with bells. This was
finally passed TO Miss Frelinghuysen. who
upon lifting 1t mp discovered beneath a
silver epergne filed with douChnuts
Each guest took one and upon breakinr
the deliciouSly Drowned surface found
embedded in the raw cotton interior a
lovely little souvenir of the occasion in
silver.
Mrs. Judge Gould, mother of Mrs
Lincoln, is an artist of ability, her china
paintings being as fine as those done bv,
professionals, and when distributed amony
her friends as souvenirs of Christmas or
anniversaries, are priced as genuine works
of art,
SENATOR sAwYERs DAUGHTERS WALL PAINT
IN6s.
Mrs. Howard Ganson White. who dis.
penses the Inequalities of the season for
her father, Senator Philetus SAWYER. is
hsppy in the possession of some of the
finest painting 10 be found on the walls Of
any house in the United States. The cell
ing of the parlor is of highly polished
satin wood, the center of each souare
painted with rose SO natural as 10 have
the appearance of the natural flower rest
ing there. A deep friexe, which extends in a
broken graceful line overlapping the edges
OF the ceiling. is a veritable shower of
roses. Above the ornamental SafiD-uo,3