The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-07
HISTORIC CURIOS DESCRIBED
RY BIRMINGHAM WOMAN

Miss Mary Tisdale who was one of the
Birmingham women attending the Demo-
cratic convention found time to investi-
gate ancient landmarks and shops filed
with relics, art museums and all sorts Oh
places that add a sentimental interest to
Baltimores fine commercial side. She
chatted with some friends. of a morning
spent in Faris Pitts art rooms on
Charles street next to the ST. James
hotel, where the Ala bama delegation was
staying The especial attraction in the
art rooms was collection of miniatures
by Allyn Williams, president of the So
ciety of Miniature Painters of England.
1.-The first miniature to greet us, in this
exquisite collection said Miss Tisdale.
was the face of President Taft, who
smiled up at us in his most jovial fash
ion, making us suspect that the portrait
was painted before the disagreeable skir-
mish with his one time friend, ending in
such doubtful victory. After the exquisite
williams miniatures. Mr.. Pitts showed
us his other treasures.
Very tenderly he took down from his
shelves. old pewter for our inspection, SO
ancient. its value exceeded that of sill
yer; though there were rare pieces of
old silver too. not reproductions, but the
original articles, which made us wish
that we had the check books of Million
aires While from the walls sweet faces
centuries smiled down most graciously,
yelling whatever contempt they might
feel at finding themselves ostracized from
their ancestral homes, and on the walls
of a salesrooms in this new country. By
way of explanation. Mr.. Pitts told us that
when In England last year he had pur-
chased these pictures; and at our sur
prise that old families would part with
such treasures. he said they had become
impoverished and needed ready money to
go up to London to the coronation He
taking advantage of their need had thus
enriched his rooms. But the gem of his
collection was the most exquisite piece
of ivory it has ever been my good for
tune to see A dressing table presented
to Mary and William of Orange by Hol-
land. when in 1858 they came to the
throne of England. We looked into the
oval mirror which had once reflected the
face of the Protestant Queen. whose
coming meant so much, not only to the
English people, but to the prosecuted
Huguenots. who were focking to Eng
! land from France. at that time. Louis
XIV having just revoked the edict of
| Nantes. The perfect carving of the tiny
leaves of ivory. which framed this mir
ror has lost none of its-beauty because
| time has so mellowed their tint to deep
| creamy tone. The top /of the dressing
table. which is protected from vandal
hands by plate glass, Is the most eXquis-
/, lite bit of carving of all. In the center in
| bas-relief are the profiles of Mary and
| William. There is the crest OF Holland
and tiny cupids play and make love to
/ each other with their garlands of posies
| The base OF the table is supported by
sea serpents who eloquently whisper Of
| the land of the dykes and windmills from
| which they followed their queen. Mr.
| Pitts seemed to enjoy our enthusiasm. so
| VO1lcbSafQ the inflammation a
twenty-eight years ago, after the Duke
of Clarcnce's death. when his effects were
sold in London. this dainty dressing-ta-
BILE was bought by an American and ever
since had been in New York. whore re-
Gently it had again changed hands. Mr..