Kang Hsi Porcelain and Mongolian Rugs Mr. T. Raaschou' entertained a large group of members of the Literary Department of the American Woman's Club, by an_ illuminating, informal talk upon blue and white Chinese porcelains at his home in Avenue Dubail on Saturday afternoon. The talk was supplementary to Miss Bosworth's paper upon the subject, given the preceding day, and was from the practical standpoint of a collector. It was effectively illustrated by examples of each variety, whith were displayed on a standard in a stream of sunshine, which acted like a searchlight to bring out the colour.
All inferior examples were shown first, leading to the climax of the matchless Kang Hsi blue, pure, rich, strong cobalt blue, like which there has been no other before since. The purity of the Kang Hsi white, and the marble-like texture and perfection of glaze were brought to attention. The distinetion of outline ws apparent to all in these Kang Hsi pieces. Examples of Kang Hsi powder blue were also shown, and mazarin and peacock. A few famille verte and blane de Chine followed.
After an interlude for tea, Mr. Raaschou displayed his unrivalled collection of antique Mongolian rugs, which defy attempts at description. The surpassing art of the old Chinese design is fascinatingly apparent, and courts hours of study. Weave and texture and the kind hand of age have given these products of the loom a_ fasminating effect of rich colour, blend and sheen, with designs beautiful and appealing. Although neither so fine in weave nor so durable as the Persian rugs, the superiority of the design from the standpoint of art gives the Mongolian rugs precedence. Honey and gold. amber, rose, coral, olive, turquoise, sapphire, and deeper blues, all blend in the memory left by these exquisite art products which were never meant to be trodden upon. we feel bound to refer, though with reluctance. In the usual "calls" and speech at the close of the performance, there appeared a regrettable spirit of partisanship which, in passing. must have been quite s obnoxious to the lady for whom it was displayed as to her against whom it was palpably aimed. Misunderstandings have, no doubt, occurred in the A.D.C. in the past, as in all institutions, but it has not hitherto been considered necessary to drag them before the public. We are not aware of the reasons for which Mrs. O'Hara found herself compelled to withdraw from laddin™ and, in the absence of h knowledge, the evident intention to "have a slap at her? in public can only have appeared, to the public, as, to say the least, in very bad taste.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.