Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02

outline, glassed over, light none too good, the
general effect IS somewhat lost He who per-
sonally conducted US suggested that we look
in q lsxge mirror over the fireplace and there
we beheld the Washington Peale painting re-
hected in such q peculiar way that the head
81 the Father of His Country seemed to be
detached from the canvas and to stand out
like q sharply executed hust.
In the same room Is q White House mirror,
for which the lovely dolly madison paid the
gigantic sum Of $50 and which purchase
brought about the introduction Of q resolution
OF censure by a member of the House. The
mirror Is hung very very high and it has been
suggested that 1t made an excellent shaving
glass for the late extremely tall and lanky Vice
President Charles Fairbanks.
On the large mahogany desk used by the
second IN command Of the Omitted States are
many not unfamiliar white rings" tumbler
sine. But. assimilate this or not the rings
were caused by buttermilk- filled glasses, q
denatured milk product to which vice Presi-
dent Charles Dawes was deeply addicted.
Our tour manager showed us where, in by
gone days, switchboard stood In one of the
Senate reception rooms Behind it, some 20
years ago, q Texas visitor managed to place
q time-bomb, which, exploding prematurely
injured no one but made shambles of the
room. chandelier and paintings. This bomber
explained that he wished to blow up the Capt.
tol as q first step to destroying the Gov
eminent Declared insane, he escaped tried
to kill J. Pierpont Morgan, was unprecedented
and returned to the asylum.
In Senate corridor we paused to admire an
excellctlt likeness of Calvin Coolidge, q bust
by Moses Dykeman, the eminent sculptor. In
voluntarily We raise q respectful handkerchief
to wipe of very perceptible smndge on the
ex-Presieenf,S left clleeiy- F3tffi
kind that won't come OF, a flaw in the marble.
From this corridor we enter what may safely
be claimed as one of the most beautiful rooms
of its kind in all the world. Somewhat small,
it glows with color, magnificent tribute to
the brush and unfailing technique of Gem
stantino Brumidi Italian political refugee who
for 2S years toiled in the Capitol, much of the
time at SD day Brumidi who had painted
in the Vatican. brought to this New World. to
this young Republic, love and ardor and
patriotism that expressed itself in radiant bird
and flower designs; and in portraiture. which,
says Charles Fairman in his invaluable book,
Art and Artists of the Capitol" were mot only
portraits of distinguished men, but portraits Of
distinction"
In the Presidents reom the Itaiian-born,
Acknowledgment Brllmidi painted high on
the wall an categorical figure called Religion
but which has come to be known THE Lady
of sthe An-Seeing Eye" For though you travel
in a circle, hide in corners, bend low stand
erect, the eyes, the figure, the outstretched
hand OF the symholical Religion" follow you,
find yon out, admonish you to look after your
immortal soul. F4.-
Tall gilt mirrors placed at opposite ends of
the Presidents room parposely tilted, thus
giving vistas of mysterious beauty, repetitions
of BrHn1idis jeweled and lowered wall
tapestries" gold chandelier in the center
attracts much attention hnd some idea of its
first cost and magnihcence may be gained from
the fact that 1t takes SIS 600 worth of real
gold to re4gild 1t. Until woodrow Wilson'S
time there never had been q telephone in the
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