The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-05-05
IN THE LOOKING GLASS.
FAMOUS PEOPLE HAVE GAzED
AT THEMSELVES. =.
Mirrors so Used Become Historic-White
! House Mirrors That Have Reflected
?the Images of Presidents and Pictured
Famous Scenes.

The mirrors of the White house, if
they could reproduce the pictures
which they have reflected, would tell
wonderful stories. Some of them
are very old. They have framed the
images of many presidents and have
witnessed historic scenes. General
Arthur had the glasses all through
tie mansion carefully arranged so as
to take advantage of favorable lights.
His full-length portrait in oil now
hangs in the Red room, directly op-
ppsite big mirror, in which he
seems to be surveying himself, with
one hand thrust into the breast of
his fur-trimmed coat.
Ihe most interesting mirror at the
White house met with p sad acci-
dent recently. 1t is twelve feet long
and two feet wide. and framed in
gold. On occasions of ceremony for
many years it has adorned the table
in the state dining room, represent t.
ing small lake in the middle of the
festive board, and is surrounded by
beautiful flowers from the govern
mont conservatories. It is composed
of seven rectangular plates of glass.
In the middle stands a golden bowl,
which holds a huge bouquet, and at
each end are two massive caldelabra.
Around the frame are twenty-four
graceful female figures of gold, each
bearing two wreaths, and in these
wreaths candles are set. The effect
is quite gorgeous.
This crystal lake was bought in
France during the reign of the love-
ly Dolly Madison. Seven years ago
Colonel Wilson, then, as now, mas
ter of ceremo onies for Mr., Cleveland,
sent it away to be re-silvered, When
it was being put together again a
colored man, carrying one of the
glass sections, fell over chair,
smashing his precious burden. It
was replaced with new piece. The
largest fragment was set in an oak
frame by Colonel Wilson, who has it
hung in his own house.
At each end of the state dining
room is a large, gold-framed, mirror,
and third is hung over one Of the
great sideboards, in which, the cut
glass is kept. In the presidents
private dining room are two enor-
nous side boards of mahogany, with
huge looking glasses in them. These
contain treasures worth many
thousands of dollars in precious
| metal and costly glass and china, in
Guiding a service of spoons and forks
in solid gold. Mr. and Mrs. Cleve-
land use these forks and spoons
every day, eating even buckwheat
cakes and sausages from Dresden
plales, and drinking coffee out of
hand painted cups worth SIS apiece.
Mrs. Harrison added to the pantry
equipment of the White house new
set Of American china that compares
favorably with the finest products
of Europe or the far East
Eight great sheets of silvered glass
contribute Importantly to the decora-
tion of the famoui east room Thev
| are set in frames of white and gold,
matching the ornamen tation of what
is probably the largest parlor in the
world. What brilliant scenes have
they reflected, as from auministra-
tion to administration throngs of
gay]y dressed people have passed
under the light of the three huge
chandeliers which illuminate the
apartment. Each of these cost $4,000
and contains 5000 prismshaped
pieces of Bohemian glass When
the thirty-six gaslights and as many
electric bulbs aae all blazing the
effect is like that of a mass Of rain
bows.
Over the Fireplace in the green
room is a mirror in a massive gold
frame. having a shield with stars and
windows is another of the same size
and pattern. In the blue room are
two more gold-framed looking glasses,
one bearing the Roman fasces for a
device and the other an eagle with
wreath on either side. Two very
fine glasses are set like panels in the
walls of the main corridor of the
White house, each of them ten feet
high. They are so old that nobody
knows just when they were put in.
Nearly all of the mirrors described
were Drought years ago from abroad,
being of French manufacture. Nova
days those procured for Uncle Sans
use are of American make
over the mantlepiece in the execu-
tive clerks room at the White house
is mirror, though not very costly
one, which many a time has reflected
the image of Guiteau, when the as
sassin used to come day after day
and sit there waiting for his ex-
pected diplomatic appointment.
Often did he grin into it casually
while arranging his necktie and
nursing iendish purpose in his
heart.
In the presidents room at the
capitol two huge mirrors face each
other from opposite walls. The re-
Elections interchanged between them
produce an effect as if one were