The age-herald., 1897-08-05
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By MRS. GEORGE 0. BALL.

there has recently been cOnpietsd thS most unique cell. .ction of old fashioned china 10 be found in America. Thers is 8. 1aresF Humber of plates on exhibition than any other kind of china, and these are of great interest, not only because of thlin age, bu5 because they are of histor- ical value, as the decorations generally represent famous homes, public buildings, or notable ctizens of lahe periad when they were d'asigrll. Theus are plates adorned with portraits of George Wash ing.on, Henry Clay, General LaFayeUse and otneu distinguished patriots; soup 4ureen with the Boston Alm.house on tlsher side; meat dishes with views of the principal cities covering their oval shape. and some ba1.Ie scenes as a deco 1abiom Thls china was chiefly manu- faeuured by English peters who had learned how to cater to the patriotic tastea of Lha American colonists Nearly all of this old ware Is in blue and white design though there are handsome spec in1ens of 1t in other colors.
 Two very valuable old specimens of this grade of chrna are ownh by Bir- mingLam women, to whom they came from grandparents. One is u long, broad meat platter, in blue and white, the blue being not unlike that shade made So ia nihar to us with the bauliful Delfe r ware In one corner of the dish is am oval shaped place, lower than the dish proper, which IS intended for the gravy. The decorations consist of trees and houses, and everything about 1t indicates its greaa age and value.
 The liner dish is similar in shape and design, even ito the graVy-VaDey, but the coloring is very different, being in flowers and fruits, in bright rsds and greens. Bo.h platters are evidently of, the same time of manufacture, and both would atrace much attention in any col lection of old china.
 Some of the specimens of the potters' art, which are on exhibition, at Memori- al Hall, are of interest because deeorat- ed with the heads of famous Americans and English statesmen of the exciting period of 1S40. In speaking of this unique display of china a writer de- scribes this political turn which was given, about 1s40, to the designing and decorating of china. She says: Already familiar with the practice of issuing pa- trietic designs in china for the home trade, the English potters very naturally bethought themselves of furnishing cam paign china for their patrons across the water. The memorable campaign or -1 1S40' Dr. Barber says. was perhaps the most prolific in souvenirs There were Log Cabin inkstands in pottery and glass; Hard Cider pitchers made in Jer- sey City. Log Cabin tea sets and dinner services for table use and for chiidrens s4 playhouses alsa were made in England and sent in large consignmentS to this sacountry. Plates with blue portraits of a nalGeneral William Henry Harrison were , ordered in Staffords5ire for John Price s Wetherill, of Philadelphia, who used them at a barbecue which he arranged in honor of the presidential nominee at his country seat in Montgomery county, T1A T tl.
 served by some of his descendants. Four years later Henry Clay souvenirs aboundcd throughout the land. Mir. Wetherill also ordered plates from Eng land bearing the portrait of Henry Clay in blue, companion (x&c.gn to the har- rison plate of the preceding campaign" Such a Henry Clay plate may be seen at Memorial Hall. It bears the portrait of the great statesman and orator in the centre; above the portrait are twenty six stars indicative of the number of states in the union. and below the :n- scrption Henry Clay, star of the . West" The plates were made to order for MT. Wethcrill to be used at a bar becue at his country place, Walnut Hill, in honor of Henry Clays nomination in 1S44 It is said that Clay was present at the barbecue.
 Speaing of china naturally suggests dinners and diners. and that brings up tn QueSIlOn OI Lduy f1SiniN somerset nav ing rec qI ly dne1 i'm London while on the menu cards wore the fatal words. Cham pagno, Pol Roger 1882, Irroy, extra, sec 1889, PoI Al1em1rle, Chateau Pape Clsmen' Amorillado, Liquers etc" This dnr wefs given by one hun'll'ed dis tinguished wG1re9, to one hundred ceae- brated men, sn1 beca--a Lndy Henry Somerset, 'iha gr, st tamperaalo- advocate, was present and proposed bhe toiast, 'Our ruesits." the papan; of The country are x4s -bls-leated editorials. Newspaper men of inaUiSitve nir,sis are enQEiring what fluid Lady Henry used for drinking the t1nsst ann always oa the wornarlfs side especially if sh" lsas done as much as Lady Somerset for he good of '.ll-e world, sl3I believe tahe r'scl orcly wster andA hen said as many brilliant and witty things as any mon prsgen., whether he inlbibed champagpi alona or every veristy of wine on the menu card.
 - The ene1ag erne mt of Miss Francfs Alger. second daughter of General Alger and .lMr. Charles Burran Pike. of Chicago, has been annornIcsd MT. Pix irs a young Lawyer of promise. and is a popular mem- ber of Chlcago's smart set. The engage ment dates from larl- January but Iche an- nounoement has only be fn' recently made, owing to the opposition Of the Alger fsm- fly % the match Miss Frances Alger is etwerty-five years of age, tall well formed and of a pronounced brunetaa style of beatty. She is a very highly educated, accomplished young woman, a good mu- sieian and attractive companion.
 MT. Pike is the son of wealthy father graduate of Harvard, and altogether is an exceptionally promising young fell low
 The Tuscaloosa Times says: Miss Alice sWyman left yesterday for Birmingham where she will join parry of friends Go- day on an extensive trip through the east. They go from Birmingham to Att fanta, thence to Savarinah. where they will take passage on a steamer for New York. t'N
 When Henry Rucker, the newly ap- pointed collector of customs for Georgia was appointed by President Mckinley,