Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-25
GOTHAM SOCIAL LIFE
Senator Clark's Mansion That
Cost Many Millions.
PUBLIC TO SEE GALLERY
REMARKABLE IN VIEW OF HIS
AVERSION TO PUBLICITY.
Last Two Weeks of Lent Free of Gayety
Prospects for the Newport
Season.


NEW YORK, April %, 1905
Senator William A. Clark of Montana has
been piling up millions, building one of the
finest houses in New York city, and ac
quiring an extensive gallery of paintings.
And now it is announced that the senator
has decided to let the public have free ac-
cess to his art gallery when he occupies
his new mansion at 9th avenue and nth
street. The full scheme of this open ex
hibition of famous canvases has not been
worked out, but just how earnest the sena-
tor is in his purpose is revealed by the fact
that he recently had the plans of his house
changed to permit the admittance of the
public to the gallery on the second floor. 10
effect that doorway has been cut through
one side of the pOrte-cochere, from which
a stairway will lead direct to the gallery.
Thus all who visit the place may do SO
without disturbing the household. Whether
admittance will be general within certain
hours or limited to those having cards Sem
ator Clark has not decided.
The custom of opening private art gal
leries to the public, which is such gen.
eral custom in Europe, has been adopted
in this city In only one previous instance.
George Vanderbilt for short time after
his fathers death opened the galleries of
the William II. Vanderbilt house on certain
days to the public. But the acts of vandal-
ism were so many and the wear and tear
of the furnishings so severe he soon with
drew the privileges III disgust.
That was one of the experiences in New
York that drove Mr.. Vanderbilt to live at
Biltmore. Since his residence in THE
Land of the Sky he has been quite liberal
in allowing his rooms to be inspected by
visitors though of course, the necessity
of carrying the thing to the extreme that it
was carried in New York city does not
exist, and even if it did it is not likely
that Mr.. Vanderbilt would care to dupli-
cate his New York experience by throwing
doors wide open to the general public.
Senator Clark's determination to let the
public visit his gallery and view his LORI
aines and Greuzes Is all the more remark
able in view of the fact that he is averSe
to having his collection described by writ
ers art or having any Of his pictures
reproduced. 1t is the invariable custom of
the Montana senator to reply in the ne
gative to requests of that kind. 1t is now
twentysix years since he began to form
the collection, now one of the most note
worthy ones of this country.
One of his characteristic purchases was
the acquisition of the famous Preyer col
lection from Herr Preyer, the choir master
of ST. Stephens Church in Vienna. Clark
paid 100000 for the Preyer pictures which
include Rubens, Franz Halls and works
by Ruysdael, Cuyp, Vandyke, Gerard Dow.
Lorraine and GreuZe. Another of his SEN
sational purchases was the Fortuny "Choos-
ing Model, for which he paid $4,000.
Plans for a school of fine arts at Column
bia University are rapidly approaching
completion. The plans involve cooperation
between Columbia University, the Metropol-
itan Museum of Art and the National
Academy of Design to establish and MAIN
tain instruction in the fine arts on as high
a plane exists anywhere in the world.
If the university's plans are carried out
In their entirety fine arts building Will
be erected on south field, probably at the
corner of Broadway and 10th street. I'M
adjoining the subway station.
1t Is estimated that it will take at least
a year after the funds have been procured
to erect the building.
Season Not Very Gay.
The last week of Lent is never very gay
socially, and this year has proved no ex-
ception to the rule. 1t Is considered ex-
tremey questionable to go in for social
entertainments during the last two weeks
of the Lenten season, and this year, with
Easter coming so late, there is little inter-
est in such matters. Were 1t not for the ex-
element attendant upon Eastertide festiv-
tiles New York would be painfully dull
place of abode to tne lovers of gayety.
There are, however, to be weddings ga
lore. no end of smart entertainments Eas-
ter week, and consequently informal enter
sucn dinners and luncheonS.
with just a few intimate friends, who will
meet to talk over what is coming.
Coaching is always fashionable In the
spring and early summer, even in Passion
diversion to go out on the coach now and
drive up to Ardsley and back, especially
when one engages the whole coach. Many
four-in- hands now turn out daily, so that
the park in the afternoon is indeed gay,
and as for automobile parties. hundreds go
out of town every afternoon. While 1t is
the time of year to open ones country
house 1t Is not yet hopelessly questionable
to be seen in town.
The Hampstead hunting season has
opened and the hunting colony is just be-
girring the spring season, as evidenced by
the people who were seen at Mrs. Mackays
musicale Now that automobiling is so
fashionable distance is nothing, and con-
sequently there is a large tract OF country
to draw from when guests are needed
Around the Westchester Country Club the
season is opening. the houses are again fill
ing with their owners, who have been
south or elsewhere. ard the club house Is
very gay. while all of the places are being
put in summer trim.
Meantime the summer schedule is in or
der. few weeks In Europe are being
carefully arranged for and no end of well
known people are sailing this month in an
effort so 1t is said, to view such parts of
France and Switzerland and England as
can be covered satisfactorily in a motor
car before the annual summer rush of
tourists begins. From present indications
1t would appear as though great many
Americans are going over with the inten-
ton of taking these trips In their own mo-
tors.
The Wickes-Ha wedding on Thursday
brought out a larger contingent of the
older set, with no end of young married
couples for whom Miss Haven has officiated
as bridesmaid. Two other April 20 we'd
dings were those of Miss Fanny Ellis and
Mr. Duane Humphreys at Trinity Chapel
and Miss Natalie Munde and Mr.. Henry
Schroeder in ST. Bartholomew Church.
The list of guests was much the same for
both and II interesting to see how
many persons were able to attend two we'd
dings and a reception In an afternoon. The
weddings, 1t should be explained, were an
hour apart.
Gerrys to GO Abroad for Summer.
For the first time in many years the Ell
bridge T. Gerrys will not be at Newport
this summer and neither the gallant old
commodore nor his steam yacht Electra
will take part in the annual cruise of the
New York Yacht Club. The commodore
and his boat have constituted such familiar
features for years of this yearly carnival
afioat of New York's fashionable set, dur
ing which the Electra has been the scene
of such generous hospitality that 1t Is diff