Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15
notice, it seems to me, without attention being
directed in al directions to things Of special


BEAUTY OF THE STATE BUILDINGS.
One Of the greatest surprises 70 me has been
the beauty Of the state buildings. I expected
more temporary looking affairs, more in the
line OF summer cottages may be, where q rest
Ing place would be provided for the citizens of
the state, but where there would be nothing to
specially attract the general visitors to the fair
md instead colony Of beautiful houses,
most OF them large many of them exact repro
ductions OF historically interesting houses, and
each and all worthy of visit for their intrinsic
beauty or the collections they contain.
A different idea Of the purport of these state
buildings evidently prevailed in the east and
the west; the western houses have many Of
tnem collections Of the specialties Of the states
tney represent and are little else but show
places Tor them, while the eastern buildings
carry out as much as possible the furnishings of
the originals Of the houses and show forth the
stately LIE that went on in the old times there.
wAsHINaToNs HEADQUARTERS.
In point of fascination to me the state build
ing Of New Jersey easily leads; the counterpart
OF the old house at Morristown, which was
Washington's headquarters for long time, it
way for a country house. The wide piazza and
open door invite all to enter, and once within
the roomy hall. with the open gallery above
and skylight Of stained glass in soft colors
toning the light below, the attraction of the
house is at once felt and one cannot leave until
every room is explored. The furnishing is
very taseful and the rooms seductively ar
ranged, one leading from another and thus
having pretty little vistas showing beyond from
open doorways. The last room to see upstairs
10 charming climax to the whole. From q
little boudOr two steps lead down to a small bed
room in the corner Of the house, which is the
prettiest chintz room imaginable. The cano-
nfad ohnry I,oIs l.
balanced and covered with chintz, a blue and
white stripe, with dainty pink flowers over
running them, being the design. A very broad
couch with cushions, window curtains and two
old-fashioned rocking chairs are likewise
chintz covered. These last show no wood at
all, even the rockers being smoothly covered
with the goods: mahogany dressing table Of
antique design and light bedside chair are the
only articles in which the wood il uncovered
The down stairs furnishings are all modern, -
IN beautiful style and finish, which suit :.
ostensibly old house we'll.
THE OLD HANCOCK HOUSE.
Massachusetts has for its building model Of
the stately John Hancock house, which stood
on Beacon street, Boston. 1t il q delightfully."-
roomy old place, and, besides much interesting
old furniture, has q large collection Of his
torical pictures and colonial relics galore, which
Will more than repay visit Of some length.
New York has the old Van Rensselaer, residence
for its state building, and it. too. has a most
interesting collection to show and some ex-
pensive furnishing, but to me it does not COM
pare in any way to the buildings I have men,
toned or, indeed, several Others its red and
gold lofty ceilings and palatial air being not at
all to my taste. Pennsylvania Independence
Hall is familiar form to every one. The lib
erty bell is the first object secs on entering
the vestibule; the reception rooms are hand
some, the collection Of relics most interesting
Among the many pictures on the walls is a par
ticuiarly lovely portrait Of young girl q full
length figure in a dark velvet gown and with
large picturesque hat On the head. Anadjoining
small room has etchings. cabinets Of china and
beautiful painted glass window, all the work
OF women Of the state Of Pennsylvania. Many
OF the etchings are very good. One, a poetical
scene OF delicate lights and shadows, has been
called by the artist "Wiliow, Weed and NAL
low Unfortunately the printed label is too
illiterative. and the NJ Is by mistake made into
Nv, SO that now it reads absurdly Willow,
Weed and Wallow."
Connecticut carries out the same ide. of re-
producing what was good in her old archi-
lecture, and typical colonial house il the re-
suit, with suitable furnishing and cases Of
relics.
THE WESTERN STATES.
The western states have many handsome
buildings, Iowa being very interesting, beau
tifully situated near the lake, and with her
wonderful cereals playing an important part in
the decorations Pictures made of corn, all
sorts Of devices formed Of grain and ingeni-
ously arranged, are to be seen; while the center
piece. SO to speak. is large model Of the fine
capitol at Des Moines. Ohio Is one Of the most
popular Of the state buildings, representing
nothing in particular, but with hospitable en-
trance and handsome furnishing, being more
like club house than anything else 1t is con-
veniently situated and is a fsvorite rendezvous
for people wishing to arrange meetings with
each other. Lack Of space prevents even
mention Of .the other state houses, though all
are interesting and worthy Of . visit. Lack Of
time in seeing and space in writing will curtail
many description Of the worlds fair, and,
perhaps, 1t is WE'LL for readers may feel they are
long suffering in having the theme SO con-
stantly brought to their notice.