The Washington times., 1894-12-05
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND DoINGs.

warming reception last night in honor of Rev.
DR.. and Mrs. Jessup, of Syria, who enter
tained them during their travels in the East,
from which they returned few months since.
Rev. DR.. Jessup has been for thirty-nine years
past actively engaged in missionary work in
Syria, and has numerous friends in this city.
1t was on that account, as well as for the fact
of ex-Secretary and Mrs. Foster having been
entertained by them while in Syria, that was
the cause of the handsome reception rendered
in their honor last night The reception was
attended by several hundred guests, for the
most part members of the New York Avenue
Church and the Church of the Covenant. Dr.
Jessup has fund OF most interesting anec-
dotes and "reminiscences in connection with
his life work and delighted the company by
relating much that to them had all the charm
oi novelty. The life in Syria, the scope OF the
present missionary work as compared to that
OF the past, when he was among the pioneers,
and the habits and customs of the East,
proved a never-failing source OF interest,
upon which he was called many times TO
crafty the desire for knowledge on the part
OF those asked to meet him.
The receiving party stood in the front
drawing-room, but as Mrs. Foster has been
quite i'll for a number of weeks past and was
down for the first time last night, she re-
NAMED seated for the greater portion of TIA g
evening in the large living-room that, open
ing ont of the draWing-room, has been re-
Gently added 10 the house. This liying-room
is replete with far more than ordinary inter-
est and is one of the most decidedly unique
apartments to be found in any private house
in Washington. About the walls are book
shelves and cabinets, the latter filed with the
rare and curious things gathered during the
Df md
the world. Every country of the world is
represented with some distinctive as we'll as
valuable memeuto.
Many of these are extremely valuable and
have as well personal associations 10 the
owners from the fact that they were pre-
sented them by the dignitarie5 of the Eastern
countries, in which much of their travel was
spent. On the left OF the wide doorway open
ing out from the draWing-room stands a
screen brought from CAIRO that IS an eXact
reproduction OF the ornamental outer walls
OF a house. Near the top on each OF the three
panels are little windows with freJted blinds
from which it would take no great EFFORT on
the part of the Imagination TO conjure up II
veiled face looking out on the sly, the dusky
beauty of young Egyptian watching fur
lively for her lover. who. at the given signal,
will appear from some hidden recess and
make his court to her after the fashion of the
country.
Beyond this. hanging againstithe west wall,
are four large panels OF ebony on which in
semi-precious stones are depicted wonder
fully lite-like little scenes. These panels rep
resent respectively. in Chinese mythology,
Concord, Prosperity. Wealth, and Honor.
The jade stone, in various shades OF green,
and the coral are especially prominent in
on top OF one OF the cabinets in the northeast
corner, is photograph that has now his
toric interest. 1t is that OF the celebrated Ii
Hung Chang who has been deprived OF hon
ors in the way OF his yellow jacket aud pea
cock feather. This photograph was presented
TO ex-Se3retary and Mrs. Foster upon the oc-
casion OF the dinner rendered by him in their
honor. Above the frame OF Chinese work
manship are crossed the chop sticks used 10y
Mrs. Foster at the feast. Directly above this
is the immense flaming red visiting card of
Ii Hung Chang, on which, in CORES pond
ingly large black hieroglyphics. is painted his
name. Al one side OF the picture is the
large red envelope containing the invitation
TO dinner, and on the other side IS the menu,
also on the same red cardboard.
singular looking square object from which
the mortar has been partially removed occu-
pies a place Of prominence on top OF one of
the cabinets directly beneath a large panel
of japanese embroidery. This is a brick
taken by Mr.. Foster himself from the great
wall of China Near this. in a carved Egyptian
frame, is the picture of the Khedive of Egypt,
on which is his autograph. The idea OF ap-
propriateness between the frames and the
pictures is further carried out in the case of
the Mexican President and wife, who are
framed in native frames made Of small feath-
ers. On the piano, which is covered with
magnificent piece of japanese embroidery in
the guyest colors. is the photograph of one of
the princes OF India This is in large cop
per frame intrlcately carved by the hands of
an Indian workman of skill
In one of the cabinets is an exact repro
duction of the Grown of Thorns, made and
presented 10 Mrs. Foster in Palestine. APP
propriately near this is a tear bottle dug
from some ruins OF temple in Asia Minor.
OF Indian and Burmese idols there is an
almost endless variety. One of the curious
things is a Nubian dress and necklace COM
posed entirely Of colored beads.
The ornaments of the mantel over the big
open fireplace are of the kind to attract
attention anywhere. The central piece, a
clock, represents in cOlored metals an Arab
just parting the curtains of his tent. and is
gorgeous with all the Eastern accessories of
color On either side the candelabra repre-
sent Arabs standing as though awaiting the
signal to approach. They are leaning slightly
against beautifully plumaged ostriches har-
messed for a trip across the desert plains.
Beside divan is placed Cairo stand of
curious workmanship holding a dilapidated.
but almost priceless. Koran nearly two cen
turies old. Not lar from this is Turkish
coffee-stand set out with the queer little long
handled brass coifee-pot surrounded by the
tiny porcelain cups IN brass holders cut with
various designs About the rim of the circu-
lar brass tray holding these is engraved the
history Of Joseph and his brethren and the
entire history OF the great mans life as given
in the Bible.
One of the pictures on the wall near the
grand piano is almost obliterated by age. 1t
is of fine feather work and represents the
Madonna 1t, together with the frame, was
taken from one OF the churches in South
America. Another object of interest in the
line OF personal mementoes is a circular fan
presented to the ex-minister by the students
of the college in Pekin. The names Of the
students are signed in full after most fat
tering tribute TO the life and political career
OF the one to whom it was presented. On
the opposite side IS a free translation OF the
tribute. Quite near this is what at first glance
looks like an Apache war club. but strangely
enough, patterned upon exactly the same priri-
cples and almost identical in appearance TO
the one used in Egypt as fly killer. From
India have been brought candelabra in the
form of cobra with head raised to strike
the yenomous sting. The top of this ia Jew
eled cup in which the candle is set.
Mrs. William Clagett's residence. on Six
teenth street, was crowded yesterday after
noon at the tea given in honor OF the debut
of her second daughter and of Miss Belle
Hagner. daughter Of DR.. Charles Hagrer.
That the debutantes had been well remem-
bered by their friends was apparent on enter
ing the drawing-room, in which the receiving
party stood, as not only was the piano COM
pleteIy covered with bouuuets and flowers of
every description but the chairs and tables
near were called into requisition to hold the
flowers.
Mrs. Clagett received in gown of black
silk; Miss Clagetts gown was of white
chiffon, and Miss Hagner's was of the light
est shade of lavender. Miss Glare received
in the second parlor in gown of black bro