Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
Mrs. Carr Glad to Return
F rom 777-Roon1 LEGATION
Recalls Prague
Through Mounting
Germun Crisis
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

State Department husband, Wilbur
]. Carr. United States Minister to
Czecho- Slovakia, before the German
occupation, Mrs. Carr is finding that
"the first, best country is ever
at home" in the U. S. A.
The Cars arrived from Europe
on the over-crowded S. S. WASH
ington-and like many other return
ing Americans looked upon the God
dess of Liberty in New York Harbor
with fond eyes as the symbol Of our
Nation at peace, its people free
from the fear that perhaps tomor-
row their turn might come to be
despoiled of their governmental
rights and privileges.
Back again in their Washington
home at 1900 Wyoming avenue NV.
after their European residence Of
two years, cosmopolitan Mrs. Carr
graciously took time OIL from the
unpacking of Various treasures
which they had accumulated abroad
to reminisce a bit on her experiences
as chatelaine of the United States
Legation at Prague.
Occupied III -Room Palace.
Their residence was the historic
l17-room government-owned Scho-
enborn Palace, dating back to the
year 1880, which the United States
purchased from former Minister
Crane.
Mrs. Carr, who is as famous for
her good housekeeping as she Is for
her charming hospitality, used to
keep count of the rooms and check
them of in her housekeeping sur
veys. When her list totaled 86,
she felt she had made considerable
Roadway, although an uninspected
wing still lay before her.
If you think the supervision of
spring and autumn duties is an
arduous one in America. just i'm
agine the feat that the window
washing alone was at the Schoen-
born" she laughingly says. "Neces-
sarily, it went on continuously"
Since the United States Govern
ment furnished the Schoenborn Pal
ace, the Cars took no furniture
abroad with them, but did take
their own tapestries, bedding, glass
ware, silver and china, photographs
and books to add home-ike touch
to the Legation. To their great sat-
isfaction, all Of their packing boxes
have now arrived from Prague with
their contents in perfect condition.
Anything lovelier than group OF
framed etchings which they have
brought back with them showing
the ancient city's ascending and
descending streets, myriad church
towers, irregular tiled roof lines and
many bridges, it is impossible to
imagine.
Unforgettable Palace.
Several features make our one
time Legation in Prague outstand-
Ing" Mrs. Carr said. Its great
arched entrance way and magnifi-
Gently carved caryatides by Matthias
Broun, the. Czech sculptor are un-
forgettable. So is the vast inner
staircase, far more spectacular than
as yet envisioned In the most am
bilious movie set. It was fashioned
at the command Of Count Colorado
Won Walsee, the one-legged general
and owner of the palace In the mid
die of the 18th century, so that ne
might ride on horseback to the first
terrace of its gardens. Anything
lovelier than the vistas and fascinat-
ing glimpses to be obtained from the
Schoenborn Palace, of this the most
beautiful old city In Middle Europe,
whose rich baroque architecture has
as yet been unchanged or despoiled,
we have not seen the world around."
'The ecstasy of springtime was
concentrated" Mrs. Carr said, I'm
the legations gardens Of more than
seven acres, with their series Of IL
descending terraces and their lavish
planting Of apple, ounce and pear
trees, and virtually every flower that
grows. Roses bloomed out Of doors Is
late as December IS, and the hot
houses after that always furnished
an abundance Of flowers" These
Mrs. Carr used in all sorts Of grouped
arrangements to tighten the formal
ity Of thei great drawing rooms with
their 21-oot-high ceilings. Often
these flower arrangements were SO
or 40 in number, In charming color
combinations selected by the head
gardener, who has been in the en-
ploy Of the United States Govern
ment for II years. 80
Carr Helped Map Gardens
Mr.. Carr, before the political situa-
ton became tense in Czecho-S lo-
vakia, used to spend many pleasant
hours with the Legation gardeners
IN drawing plans and diagrams for
increasing the lovely vistas and
charming paths Of this one Of the
lovliest Of Americas possessions in
. foreign land.
The American Legation 1T Prague
Is CENTRALLY heated. but In many Of