The Washington times., 1927-12-19
Mrs. Tracy DOlDs Makes Debut
As, Poet With Charming Volume
idle Hours Is Dedicated
to Three Children of the
Author
BY JEAN ELIOT

Mrs. TR a CT DoWs,
known as one Of the
handsomest and best dressed
women in Washington and
as chatelaine of a picturesque
old Georgetown house, is
making her debut in a new
role-the author Of a book Of
verses, "Idle Hours, " which
is published by Dorrance and
Company as volume 63 in
their series Of contemporary
poets.
This is, l think, Mrs, Dows'
first adventure in the field of
poetry-at any rate published
poetry-but the little book
shows finish in its style, as
well as depth Of feeling and
originality Of thought. It also
reveals new phases of the char
acter of a gracious lady VINO
has made herself popular in
Washington in the few years she
has been ''in residence" here.
"Idle Hours" is dedicated to
Mrs. DoWs' three children, Olin.
Margaret and Deborah, with a
verse which is q pleasant ex-
ample of the books poetic con-
tent:
TO you this little book dedicate
Some OF its stories you have always
Some thoughts. ideas we have shared
since you have grown,
Some for your understanding must
wait.
Don't be too critical and try to rate
Me as poet who in words has shown
His dreams interpreted-for must
Ny verses shame the lines my dreams
But il You feel in life the exquisite,
I am content to know the world
through you
Will have my unsung songs as they
should be.
Do when I'm old Til think-~Psr-
Somehow the flame Of all I meant
to. do
And they have made an artist out Of
mel"
WlHE publishers introduce the
= little volume as something
strong and fine and new" written
with "a pen dipped in the genius Of
more than passing charm and
literary values" And they pick
out ITO a, Madonna Mystery"
the quaint Eighteenth Century
Vanity Box and THE Prodigal
Moon" as being especially charm
ing, with the A lovely sonnets
with which the book closes.
After a season, here to try out
Washington as winter residence
Mrs. Dows purchased the old
house ct 2136 o St., and has made
Of 1t a singularly individual and
charming residence. The place is
generally known as the "house
with the purple blinds" from the
rich color Of the shutters and the
outside trim. Once the Lancaster
School, fashionable in Washing.
toms earlier days, and for a time
the homo OF the British minister,
the house still has the seal of
Great Britain conspicuously dis
played. It was built in 1911 and
all lbs old world charm has been
retained-the fine old paneled
doors, the brass knocker and the
original great locks and keys 1t
would take a strong man to carry.
WITHIN it is fascinating. Per-
w haps the most charming
apartment is Mrs. Dows' small
library.drawing room, which looks
out over a lovely garden ct the
back. The walls are lined with
books except for the wide spaces
left for a series OF paintings of
the owners country home at
Rhinebeck, N. Y.--the house, the
lodge, the ravishing view Of the
Hudson and other dear familiar
spots. These are the work of
Mrs. Dows' son, Olin Dows, who
Is an artist and decorator by pro.
fession. He has recently designed
a small theater in New York,
which has received much enthu-
siastic critical comment, and he
has signed up to decorate two
houses in Washington this win.
ter.
Miss Margaret Dows, who was
with her mother in Washington
tor a year or two, is now Mrs.
Knut RIchard Thyberg. At the
time Of her marriage Mr.. Thyberg.
who is in the Swedish diplomatic
service. was vice consul in New
York. Miss Deborah Dows is still
Of sub-deb age.
\ \ y
Mr.. and Mrs. George Barton
French, of New York, win be at
the Mayflower for a few days.