The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-23
FAMOUS SETS OF DISHES.
Material from Many Out-oEthe-way
Lands-American Housewives Like Fine
China aad Are ExeeIlent Judges OF It.

~ Notes Saha@s ehe ~ eEto EoE14s ohs
Material from Many Out-oEthe-way
Lands-American Housewives Like Fine
China and Are Excellent Judges OF It
The most famous set OF dishes In the world is
In the White House. II was begun by Martha
Washington and completed by Mrs. Harrison.
who decorated with her own hands enough
pieces to finish out the missing numbers. The
largest addition TO the set was made by Presi-
dent 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 a few very large pieces. which
had been given to her as wedding gifts, evil
IDENTIFY 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 Aston has the second famous
set It was given to her by ner husband about
twelve years ago. and she cares for IL and cher
ishes It more tenderly than any other OF her
private possessions. She even employs a man 10
look after IT, This famous set of dishes is OF
pure gold. And the gold is so unusually free of
all other substances that 1t scratches IL a knife
IL drawn across It. Therefore the set is rarely
used in courses that have game or meat served
with them. There are thirty pieces In the set
and the price paid by Mr.. Aston In England was
5000 or about $4,000. 1t is probable that
the gold set will descend 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 weTs presented 70 her at her wedding:
people that she has always belonged 10 a family
OF culture, II not of wealth, she brings out some
a complete breakfast OF hye courses. and sew
eral rose bowls are. included. Mrs. Stevens has
a wonderful set OF gold plate. like Mrs. Astor's.
old china which has descended to her from
her mother and sister, Two years ago Mrs.
dishes, long promised her, sOund their way to
her china closets. These are six in number with
glass fronts 10 display the dishes. There Is only
one complete dinner set, but there are several
heirloom sets made up Of different patterns.
On1 mas CANT piaI1Irs OF ths on NeM YORK
ladies with hair 4 la pomPadour,
Mrs. john Jacob Aston has more punch bowls
than any other matrOn in the world, For some
reason her friends chose these, and happened To
pick out the largest sized ones ia the shop. One
OF these stands upon legs each representing a
figure OF Bacchus. while nymphs dispOrt on the
sides. A great punch spoon, as long as a tea
taole' rsRoses IN the sath Ease alongside the
"a generous dip. truly. The glasses used With
this bow art, Of a peculiar make Of china pur-
chased abroad. and seldom seen in this country.
Mrs. q. T.. Huntington once bought a dinner
sol that cost high In the four figures. 1t is said
ington would never tell even her most intimate
friends about II; She saw II as she passed a
il. All Of Mrs. HainIineton'ss china is bPoasRt
out every day Tor regular USE, as she has a fad
for living As well when alone as when she has
guests.
Miss Pauline Whitney is more careful OF the
family plate and dishes than her mother was.
she holds these things As a sacred trust, in keep
ing, as IL were, for her two brothers and little
sister, and she religiously guards all. The sill
yer Is in the care OF an old and trusted servant
Of the family. and the Irtceless dishes gathered
abroad, wherever Mrs- Whitney saw anything
she much desired, are locked in safes or IN
massive sidebOArds. Once y month Miss Whit
ney inspects everything 70 see that all Is safe.
Her faYorite breakfast set Is a blue one that
cost u 1000; lille for dinner there Is . set that
u half silver.
Mrs. Bradley Martin has . set OF gold dishes
so massive. and 50 magnihcently wrought, that
they are the Admiration OF her guests. They are
kept In New York In q safe deposit vault, so
that there are years At q time when their owner
does not see them. The last time Mrs. Martin
used the set, was after her trip 70 the Worlds
Fair, Nhen she gave a farewell dinner IN her
New York friends. Her sOn-in-lAw. the Earl OF
Craven, has requested that the gold SGT b. given
his wife when Mrs. Martin gives up her use Of
them. and abe mas promised them TO the House
Of Craven, where they will no doubt some day
decorate the dinner table OF old COOmbe Abbey,
the EArl's English country seat
Among the Americans Who have fAmOus
dishes are Mrs. Potter Palmer, whose husband
bought 8 representative set nom each foreign
ara - IL hns u hs Worlds KAH. Thsrs as