The morning times., 1897-02-23
OPENED THE ART GALLERY
Five Thousand People Attend the
Private View of Its Treasures.
MRS. CLEVELAND WAS THERE
Unique and Brilliant Scene in the
Hall OF ScuIptures-A Large At
tendance of Cabinet and Diplo-
matic Notables-Music by the
Marine Band.

Nearly five thousand people visited the
new and beautiful Corcoran Art Gallery
last evening blythe courtesy oftbe trustees,
VINO had issued cards to the friends OF the
institution for private view OF the
treasures i II this exquisite temple of art.
Nothing in Washington can exceed the
attractivenesS of the interior OF this gal
lery, considered architecturally. There
were a great many there last night, indeed,
WHO said that it had no rival in America.
This interior has heretofore been described
in The Times, but, last night, for the first
time, it was lighted UP brilliantly, when,
in addition TO its own interesting inhabi-
tants of marble, bronze, stone, and on
canvases, there was throng among which
were great many Of he most distinguished
and fashionable folks in the country The
lighting was admirable, all white, and
intense enough to make the living and
dead figurantes visible from any point
within the splendid environment.
AT times during this first function every
foot of space between the Doric columns
of the hall of sculptures was filled by hand
somely dressed men and women. The eX-
ception was the space on the left OF the
hall on entering, where the Marine Band,
under Prof. Fanciulli, was stationed, their
uniforms OF red being in sharp contrast to
the Simple and chaste white OF the marbles
and general tone celor OF the hall
The grand stairway leading from the
hall of sculptures to the second floor, where
are the several halls Of painting, was
adorned with a row of palms on either
side, and whis was all tine decoration, all,
in fact, that was needed
1t was understood that Mrs. Cleveland
would be present, as she had accepted her
invitation, and this possibly secured the
continued attendance Of the crowd until
after IL O'Clock. when the doors were TO
be closed. Between Q and 10. however.
the notables arrived. in great numbers,
among them being Sir Julian PamcefOte.
his three daughters. Lord Aberdeen and the
Countess of Aberdeen, and their daughter,
NJ and Madame Patenotre. the Chinese
Minister and Madame Yang Yu. the Japan
ese Minister, aud members of the legation,
Minister De LONE. Madame De Lome,
Senator Hoar and party of ladies, Senator
PaSco and party. Vice President Steven
sol. and party, NJ Andrade and party,
Senator Blackburn and party, President
| b. L. whitman, Of Columbian University,
and party. Rev. Howard Wilbur Ennis and
party, Rev. Mackay-Smith, ID. d., and Mrs.
Smith, Senator Lodge, Mr.. McMillin and
Mrs McMillin, and quite number of
other Representatives and Senators. All of
the emba ssies were represented.
The Presidential party did not arrive
until IL O'Clock, the hour announced for
the closing The delay was caused by the
Cabinet dinner, but the crowd, aware or
unaware OF this, stayed to see the people
who are TO represent the coming dissoiv-
ing view OF political Importance and van
ities.
Mrs Cleveland came in with the Presi
dent, and so far ahead that she paused ON
! the top step of the vestibule stairway,
wcbre she made pretty picture in her
handsome gown Of yellow hrocade and
shoulder knots of violcts. On her right
was Antinous and on her left Gcrmanicus.
who probably in their palmiest days had
nOt seen q iOvelier vision. The other mem
hers Of the party arrived in few mo-
ntents and We're Secretary Lamont and
Mrs. Lamont, Secretary Herbert and Miss
Herbert, Postmaster General Wilson and
Mrs Wilson. Secretary Carlisle and Mrs.
Carlisle and Mr. Olney and Mrs. 0lney.
These were received by the committee
and were escorted to the retiring rooms,
after which they were conducted upstairs
to tie halls of painting, Mrs. Cleveland
making the tour on the arm of Mrs. c. Z.
Glover: the President with Mr.. Kaufman,
the chairman of the committee on recep
ton The President and Mrs. Cleveland
threw off great deal OF their usual re-
serve, and talked familiarly with hundreds
of people whom they knew. Mrs. Oeve-
land paused perhaps the longest at the
portrait of Mr.. Olney, which occupies a
place n the Dolly Madison hall.
Possibly the proudest man in the build
| ing was Dr. Barbarin, the curator, andth
was much to be proud of. The arrangements
were as perfect as if they had been CHS
| eled or painted by artists, and there was
| much appreciative comment on the disposi-
ton Of the works Of art in all the halls.
| Good critics said that the view is vastly
superior to that in the Museum OF Chicago,
and in the exquisite symmetry OF the hall
| and its contents even the much-vaunted
| interior Of the Congressiona! Library will
| have To look to its honors.
1t would require figures of speech as
| perfect as the figures of marble il the
gallery to convey an idea in detail of
the peculiarly inter eStinE scene which
was made last night with the combined
effects of most of the best things in art
in Washington and very large percent
age of its loveliest women and handscm-
est men, the former arrayed il their most
attractive garb.
The public will not see this often, but
after the formal opening tomorrow night
the gallery will be IS usual open Gil week
and on the usual terms.
The committee under whose ma ia cement
the affair OF last night was given
was composed of Mr.. S. II. kaffmann,
MI Walter S Cox, Mr.. Fred. b. Mctiuire,
Mr.. Charles C. Glover, Mr.. Edward Clark,
Mr.. CaIderou Carlisle. Mr.. Matthew w
Gait. Mr. william Corcoran Eustis and
Mr.. Thomas Hyde.