The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-22

| n2rDie- Below the stairway, 10 The
right, is the conservatory, and one is con-
WINGED AT once on entering this spot that
| the mistress of the home must be lover
| Of flowers of all descriptions. The con-
| servatory is masterpiece Of arrange
| ment, reaching UP two stories and roof
ed with conventional subdued glass.
Next to the fine selection Of orchids own
cd by Mrs. Cleveland when she was first
lady of the and and which are still ad-
sion, comes Mrs. Yerkes collection Of
these exotics. They are in every shade
and every degree Of colorings and tinge
the whole conservatory with an artistic
effect. A great deal Of money and
study has been given TO this part Of the
home, and il is one Mr.. Yerkes' fads
that there shall be nothing in the land
finer than the floral portion Of mis- house.
The back ground 20 the conservatory is
formed Of the narrow-leafed palm, path
ways are Of marble and il is fitted with
the very latest applications for water and
heat.
To the right Of the ante-hal, az one
enters tXe house comes the reception
room, finished in the renaissance style in
white and gold, elegant, though severely
plain, and the eye fails 10 find single
error in dacora ton. A Grecian scroll de-
sign in exquisite hand painting in the
dainLiest pink TINS form the fresco. The
chairs are upholstered in costly stuffs Of
brocade designs, and the room has the
proper tinge of Formally Of a call be-
tween and S.
Across the hall is the drawing room,
with the same renaissance finish. AS
one enters the latter from the hal he
passes a broad seat designed out OF a
solid oak block of marble, which stands
just 70 one side Of the mantle piece, which
is the chef d'oeuvre of all the marble
work in the house. II is the symbolical
Of the word welcome" Across the en-
tire breadth Of the mantle and directly
over the fireplace, arranged in three pam
els, the long one occupying the center.
with the two smaller on each side, is
Greek design, with mythodica. figures
expressing the idea OF greeting and feast
ing. Mr. Yerkes spent months in looking
over every conceivable design that va
riety Of artists could show him. This was
d
thought, and was drawn by the we'll
known artist, H. B. Matthews Of New
York, the carving and finishing by j.
Massey Rhind. the sculptor.
Still above the panel are the Greek OK
heads, the horns entwined with garlands
and ribbons, continuing the idea of the
feast, and with sketchy little designs Of
wreatAs caught here and there with low
ers' knots. The idea is So thoroughly
exquisite that it seems a pity 70 keep
such a beautifully instructive piece of
work from the public eye. Broad, plain
columns of marble finish either side Of
the mantle the fireplace is deep and open
suggesting hospitality and good cheer.
The medallioned OK heads of white
marble form decorative motif for hal!
and staircase, and there are some eighty
five in ALL
Mr. Yerkes' love for pictures and his
keen appreciation Of the merits of the
different schools las enabled him to col
lect an unusually interesting ar. gal
lery The portrait so much admired dur
ing the worlds fair OF a Rembrandt pose
OF Mrs. Yerkes. painted by j. Van Beers,
Yerkes Chicago private art gallery. is
now placed over the second landing of the |
stairway in his New York home. 1t is |
one of the cleverest things Van Beers has |
ever done. Perhaps his success is due |
to the fact that ne is a long time per- !
sonal friend of the Yerkes, and possibly |
the truth is that she is so charming a |
subject for his brush. The picture shows |
Mrs. Yerl1es in full length figure, gowned |
in ve.vet with the train trifie |
thrown to the front. A square Gu. bodice |
has broad epaulets Of lace; around the |
throat is band of pearls. The corSage
is finished in fine jet. with a broad fold
of soft white silk about the waist, while
the full short pulled sleeves are met by
the long mosquetaire gloves. In one
hand she carries her lorgnette, the other
falls easily at her side. An immense
black hat covered with graceful plumes
comp.etes the costume and the ensemble
IS thoroughly bewitching.
Another picture Of Mre. Yerkes, paint
ed by the same artist, is panel twenty
two inches long by twerty-eight and one
fourth inches high, shows her sitting by
4 lake on a rustic bench under shade
tree, her head turned TO one side as
though expecting to welcome friends. It
has a picturesque style of the directore
style. Diamond, her black, curly, French
poodle. who is quite an important mem
Der of the YeFkes establishment. adds an
Interesting touch TO this picture, which
5 delightful in posing and coloring.
Mr.. Yerkes shows tendency toward
he Dutch school in selecting his paint
ngs. but perhaps among the rarest and
most valuable of his collection is The
Garden Party" by Vatican. Then that
,harming conception of Bouguereau, In
-ading Cupid's Realm; Meissoneir's
The Reconnaissance" and Alma-Tade-
mas Loves Missile" are all exquisite
aings. The Reverie,'' by Greuze, sew
raj of Rembrand;'s. Reuben's. Corot's
nd MiIlet's form part Of the New York
objection.
Great attention has been given 10 this
RI gallery. and nothing finer exists in
Sew York Il occupies the extreme end
z tae house on -Sixty-eighth street. ex-
ending two stories up. The interior fin
sh is all OF dark. highly polished wood
york the lighting perfect, and enc feels
thorough artistic inspiration upon
merely entering. This part Of the house
ir Yerkes has supervised in al de- ,
ais.
The most uniquely interesting thing in
he home IS The India room upstairs. ,
Everything in IL is from India, and the .
rtist who arranged the room came es- .
eciaEy from that far off country TO fin
n the work which occupied him year
nd j half Nothing touches the floor !
xcspt an occasional odd rug. \ luxu- :