The Portland daily press., 1894-09-27
some Famous Dishes

The most famous set of dishes in America
is in the White House. 1t was begun BY
Martha Washington and completed by Mrs.
Harrison, who decorated with her own
hands enough pieces to finish out the miss
Ing numbers. The largest addition to the
set was maze by President Arthur, and was
paid for out of his private purse; and Mrs.
Cleveland, during her first term as first
lady in the land, presented to the White
House few very large pieces, which had
been given to her as wedding gifts, evident
ly with the idea that they would remain in
the Presidents house, as they were far too
large to be used upon an ordinary private
table.
Mrs. William Astor has the second ia
nous set. 1t was given to her by her hus-
band about twelve years ago, and she cares
y for it and cherishes it moro tenderly than
any otherlof her private possessions, She
even employs.a man to look after ii This
famous set of dishes is of pure gol' And
the gold is SO unusually free of other
substances that it scratches if Knife Is
drawn across it. Therefore the set is rare
ly used in courses that have game or meat
served with them. There are thirty pieces
in the set, and the price paid by Mr.. Astcr
in England was S6o,0OO, or about els,oOo.
1t is pi obable that the gold set will de-
scend to the son and heir of the family and
his handsome young wife, although Mrs.
John Jacob Astor has nearly complete
gold set of her own in different pieces
which were presented to her at her we'd
ding.
When Mrs. Param Stevens wishes TO show
people that she has always belonged to a
far of e,11t1 of CHI
brings out some very famous blue dishes.
There are enough for complete breakfast
of five courses, and several rose bowls are
included. Mrs. Stevens has a wonderful
set of gold plate, like Mrs. Astors, only a
little less massive, but she prefers the old
china, which has descended to her from
her mother and sister. Two years ago Mrs.
Stevens lost both of these relatives, and
the dishes, long promised her, found their
way to her china closets. These are six in
number, with glass fronts to display The
dishes. There is only one complete dinner
set. but there are several heirloom sets
made up of different patterns. One has
game platters of the old New York style
with gentlemen in knee breeches bowling to
ladies with hair la pompadour.,
S Mrs John Jacob Astor has more punch
.
For some reason her friends chose these,
and happened to pick out the largest sized
ones in the shop. One of these stands upon
legs each representing figure of Bacchus,
while nymnhs disport on the sides. A
great punch spoon, as long tea table.
reposes in the satin case alongside the
bowl. and the bowl of this spoon holds just
a pint-a generous dip. truly. The glasses
used with this bowl are of e peculiar make
of china purchased abroad, and seldom
seen in this country.
Mrs G. P. Huntington once bought din
ner set that cost high in the four figures.
1t is said that $4,000 was the exact pl1ce,
but Mrs. Huntington would never tell even
: her most intimate friends about it, She
saw it as she passed china store one day
and stepped in and bought it. All of Mrs.
Huntington china is brought out every
day for regular use, as she has a fad for
living as we'll when alone as when she has
gUests.-Bostons Record sS4