Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-23
BY MARGARET n. DOWNING.

The Italian Amba ssador had planned
during the early part of December to
4 kinvite Washington socially to the
~ beautiful ballroom of the embassy, re
Gently furnished with treasures sent
by the Roman government, but Queen
Marie's failure To come to Washing
ton at the time proposed deprived
many of a genuine treat. But when
occasion offers the Ambassador and
Mobile de MARITIME viii throw open this
handsome apartment and their friends
will have rare opportunity to inspect
its splendid furniture. all Of the open
ing sixteenth century-Savanerola
chairs. tall carved chairs Of the F'loren
AEne style, splendid cabinets and settees
2from Venice and a marvellous life size
Etruscan statue of dancer dating,
centuries before the Christian era and
of fabulous value. Many canvases hang
on the walls. taken from museums and
private collections In Italy. one OF The
|@Nativity," by Botticelli, is probably
the most important work of that mas
ter which has crossed the Atlantic.
Santa Caterina on the Wheel by
Francia, is another famous canvas.
and The Coming of the Baptist. by
Andrea della Sarto, may be found
among the numerous paintings of the
most renowned of Italian painters
of the Italian King A series of oil
landscapes. showing the most historic
of the piaZzas and palazZos of Rome,
hang about the spacious chamber.
some of these being the very earliest
expressions of outdoor life, and done
with the skill and delicacy of the min
iatures. Around the ballroom, which
occupies the western side OF the
mansion OF Renaissance
t1A
runs q cornice, and in the panels OF
the corners are two very old mNtho-
logical paintings fitted exactly into
the space with narrow band OF
frame The large paintings have the
original splendid frames of Floren-
tine and mosaic design and are in
themselves worthy of visit
Prince Gelasio Caetani, who in
spired this beautiful embassy build
ing. no doubt established a precedent
when he had the corner stone laid
with impressive ceremony and had
engraved on the travertine rock
brought especially for the purpose
Hrom the quarries near Rome an
kf1talian inscription which tells the
passerby that this royal embassy was
erected during the reign of King
Victor Emmanuel III, when Benito
sdCaetani Ambassador. and that the
architects were Warren & Wetmore
of New York The date is May %.
$ 1924 The embassy was built rapidly,
for in December of the same year
and shortly before his departure
Prince Caetani had dance in the
then but partially finished ballroom.
Travertine, the historic stone of ltaiy
and of which the Coliseum of Rome
and nearly all its ancient buildings
are fashioned. is the principal mate
rial used, although there are trim
mings of limestone quarrisd down
the Potomac. An impressive eXte-
rior feature lie the great double doors
of wrought iron on each side of
which is placed q shining brass disc
bearing the arms of the house of
Savoy and above the entrance is
carved the traditional emolems of
hospitality. the horn of abundance
and the pine cone.
Mr. and Mrs. David X. Estes Bruce
have recently taken an apartment in
the Grand Hotel at Rome. finally re-
Hnguishing their lease on the pic
turesuue palazzo which had been
their home since their arrival in the
italian capital last Spring. 1t is not
the easiest matter TO heat the
ancient palaces of Rome in the WAY
to which Americans are accustomed
and the mammoth rooms require
more fuel than can be readily OBJ
Mined. even with money no object.
/Rbme Is 30 much of Winter re-
sort that It's hotels are well heated
ana excellently conducted, Mrs.
Bruce, formerly Miss Ailsa Mellon,
has been enjoying some of the Win
ter sports at st. Moritz, where she
Joined some Pittsburgh friends for
about 10 days. Mr.. Bruce came for
her. but in the beginning of diplo-
matte or consular career. leaves OF
absence are not easily obtained and
nc he Is tremendously in earnest.
He has piodded away at his tasks
never asking for holidays. Mr. and
Mrs. Bruce have joined the hunt club
~ the Roman Champagne and they are
among the regular riders over that
historic land with paper trail in
stead OF a fox. and they find much
Measure also riding through the
heantiful hills which surround Rome
and where there are many bride
maths. Signora Giuseppe Bra mbilla,
formerly Miss Julia Meyer. has been
Aoined hv her mother. Mrs. George
yon T,engkerke Meyer. and they are
also staying at the Grand waiting
certain changes TO be made i'm villa |
Rrazzs near Ostia, which, since her
widowhood. is To he Signora Bran
bIlla's permanent home.
Mr. John E. Parsons, who Is 10
MARRY Miss Fannie Haven Wickes of
New York City. Is the son of the late
REPRESENTATIVE Herbert Parsons. and
enen, much of his time In Washington
durin1 his parents residence here.
Nrs Parsons was an active member
~ the congressional circle and was.
hesides. one of the literary lights OF
s%fer dav. After Mr.. Parsons left Con.
gross she gave up the social SIDE or
life and became professor OF biology
In Barnard College. Mrs Parsons
was Miss Elsie Clews, and her mother
was that belle Of the late 1S50s. Lucy
Madison worthington of Kentucky,
Aranduiece of President Madison and
<Iyraat .pra nddaughter of Gen. Andrew
Teu-is Washington's associate in the
Continental Army. Young Mr.. Par
arms is following his father into poll
tics and is now an alderman in Lenox,
where he is the third generation OF
his family TO serve in this role. Miss
WicLos is the only daughter Of Mr..
and Mrs. Forsyth Wickes. and she is
fha vranddaughter of the late George
GriAwold Haven. well known art con
noissaur of New York city. and at one
time it's park commissioner. The mar
risre will occur in the Wickes home
in Tuxedo in June. Mrs. Herbert Par'
sons has recently given up her teach
ing and has been living quietly IN
Ierov occupied In literary labors.
She will give up the big Parsons home
N how so, on his marriage and Will
.,.,.5 ,,,orA time in Europe. Her