The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-11
ELEVATORS IN
GREAT HOUSES
Snug Cages in Homes at New
port and New York.
Conductors in Court Livery Handle
the Electric Lever OF Luxurious
Cars in Private Mansions.

Little boudoirs on wings is the appro-
pirate description given by an enthusiast
tic Frenchman of the elevators he found
himself invited to enter on arriving in
the very new and sumptuous houses of
his American hSstesses.
So far in Paris there is but one Of
these conveniences known. and that has
has been recently fitted into the SPLEEN
did town residence of the Countess Cas-
telane. In the great houses of our
American rnillidnaires the elevator is
becoming the rule and not the excep-
ton, especially $50 at Newport and in
New York city. where a foot of land is
worth a small fortune, and the houses
are rearing their heads more loftily ey-
cry year.
The exceeding usefulness and beauty
of the private elevator has never been
more closely demonstrated than in the
great Aston mansion on Fifth Avenue,
especially when an elaborate entertain
ment Is in progress. One of the chief
beauties of this admirable dwelling is
the grand staircase, that sweeps up
from the very doors of the marble yes
the picture gallery. At night, when
palms and candles shed alternate light
and shade along the crimson carpet, sill
yer rods, and carved balustrade, this is
the very choicest spot on which to dis
play gracefully gorgeous toilets. There
fore. when. the women in their wraps
and fur boots are set down under the
porte cocherc, they are led to one side
Of the veStibule a gTillcd door slides
back and six at a time are ushered in
to the Suggest little elevator ever seen.
Its floor is covered with velvet car
pet Of the warmeSt cerise tone and, be-
ing octaeon shaped. four of the sides
are made Of plate glass mirrors framed
in gilt, and four sides are panels of
tufted cerise satin. The roof is built os
gided iron wrought in odd shapes and
partly filled in with rose-colored glass.
over which spray of electric lights
spring.
\ solemn young man in powdered
head and court livery guards the cleo
tic lever and the travellers in the ele-
yator, all of whom are landed on the
third floor. There they are ushered in
10 a dressing room, wraps are removed,
toilets touched up, and the charming
butterflies are ready To meet their male
escorts and join the gay procession NOV
ing down the great stairway.
Mrs. George Westinghouse. however.
who owns one of the most gorgeous
homes in this city, has gone Mrs. Aston
just one better in the completeness of
very up-to-date COnveniences. Her hall
way is provided with a tufted satin ele-
vator on both sides. One is used 10 carry
guests up the other to bring them down.
ana gilied baskets attached to the cor
ners Of the elevator hold the programs Of
the dances, music. or whatever especial
entertainment is provided for the even
ing. Though so exceedingly important on
occasions Of festivty. the private eleva-
tor is not for such slight convenience
alone. and it is a commentary on our
American civilization that eight out Of
ten Of the private elevators have been put
in at the command Of the family physi-
clan. There is one New York woman Of
wealth who boasts that in twelve months
she has not walked up or down not only
her own stairway, but that Of friends
house. since she only leaves cards at
those places where no elevator is proyid-
Cd.
OF course ii all depends upon circum-
stances whether the private elevator shall
Ice costly or Inexpensive addition to the
modern comfortable house. Since cleo
triCity has come so rapidly into use as a
domestic servant for lighting and heat
ing. "a small elevator. capable Of holding
three persons. can be fitted into house
al an outlay OF ABOUT SfHl- II Is Dld4NNeF-
ed by a touch on a button and is safe in
deed. No elaborate interior decorations
come for this price. as. for instance, will
be found in the exquisite little basket af-
fairs that some women use in journeys
from floor TO floor Of their homes. These
are wicker ears. and hold but the owner
and a couple of friends.
On stepping inside OF wicker elevator, |
the sensation is Of having entered gor-
Gil. 10
walls are OF rattan. treated with gliding |
and enamel paints. the floor covered with !
a white soaJskin rug, against the broad /
seat upholstered in delicately-tinted china |
silk, pillows are heaped. and the roof is !
a prettily woven dome of wicker. with a |
cluster of electric lights falling from the |
center.