New-York tribune., 1901-04-27
INTERESTING EXHIBITS.
NOVEL EXAMPLES IN BRABAZON WORK
SHOWN AT GRACE CHURCH HOS
PITALITY HOUSE"

The exhibition of textile work done by the men
and women of the Grace Church Hospitality
House held yesterday in the house No il4 East
Fourteenth-st was attended by large number
Of Grace Church parishioners. The work is novel
in this country. being adaptation of the pr1n-
cples of the 'Brabazon Employment Society. OF
England which was named for its founder, Lady
Brabazon. now Countess of Meath.
Lady Brabazon a frequent visitor at the
''workhouse' in the district where her home was
situated and became impressed by the sadness of
the paupers' lives, with nothing to interest them
beyond the housework required of them. Some had
not even that for occupation. being too feeble to
do anything but sit and think.
Lady Brabazon thought that their lives might be
frightened If they Were taught pleasant and use
ful work that would employ the hands Of those
doomed TO the nlonotony of perpetual idleness and
in 1880 she offered to provide materials for any
workhouse infirmary that would try her scheme.
In the United Kingdom there than
two hundred branches.
Grace Hospital which is of the numerous
charities conducted by Grace Church, is whole
settlement. Ii contains a large chapel for public
services, a private chapel, the House OF Anna"
which accommodates eight infirTn women over sixty
years of age; the House Of Simeon for eight in
firm old with the age limit, and the
House Of the Holy Child which is day nursery,
hospital and home need arises. These buildings
all connected and inclose fine quadrangle. on
whose lawn the children play and the older in
mates take the air. The house mother, Mrs. Fran
ces e. Morand. is Englishwoman who was an
active worker some of the Brabazon commit
tees in her own country, and IT she who in
troduced the system about year ago. She said
yesterday TO a reporter for The Tribune: ''I want
10 the work introduced in every institution for
those for whom the public must provide. Their lot
IS sufficiently sad without the added horror en-
forced idleness- The work is purely voluntary
you understand No one is obliged to do It, but
they seize the opportunity eagerly when pre-
Se0ted. There is old m here ho
was verging on melancholia, and probably would
have been insane now had II not been for this
work. He used sit and look at the floor think
ing Of the past happier days, and longing for night
and sleep. Now he IS cheerful, and says that the
days not long enough"
All the work is chosen with reference to beauty
as well as utility. Ugly work is uninteresting"
said Mrs Morand, whose love for the beautiful
finds expression in the many designs prepared for
The workers guidance. An extremely handsome
rug which has taken eight prizes England was
designed by her. She wrote directions the % coo
stitches used in making it, Several have been
made by the men, reading the directions while
another draws the wool through the canvas Mrs
Morand says that the men do remarkably good
fancy work, often excelling the women they
nave nothing TO unearn- Bedroom shoes. Afshans.
babies shoes and hoods photograph screens and
1ranes and many other articles are exhibited.
ASIDE from the rugs, the most interesting speci-
would term it. is a sumber robe made of silk
squares filled with shredded silk and wool each
are pale lemon and light blue arranged most ar
ustically and bordered by ruffie of light blue silk
over which is ruffe of platte Valenciennes lace.
Nearly everything shown yesterday was sold.
greatly to the delight of the aged workers who 1t
may be noted here. derive no personal profit. ''It
would be against the rules to give them money"
explained the house mother. but you have idea
how happy it makes them to feel that they can
help others. and they allowed what
shall be done with the money. Yesterday they gave
Dr. Huntington slcO for St Mary's children's hos
pital. and they quilts and such things to
various places where they were needed
Our friends are of great help, often sending
scraps of silk and wool for the slumber robes
Wanamaker sent us a great package of samples of
bright fannels and woollen plaids that have made
several pretty quilts
The houses of Simeon and Anna interesting
places visit any time, and the old people
enjoy visitors, and pleased and proud show
their work.
The managers are:
The Rev. G. H Bottome. Mrs. Johnson
Mrs W NJ K.ngsand Hoyt.
Miss D. Hoffman Miss Kernocaan
Mrs. II Ie r Miss A Bliss.
Miss Virginia Potter. Miss A. Robinson.
Mrs. c. D. Dickey Mrs. j. A Hadden, 5r.