Smyrna times., 1877-01-24
"reminiscences of Vanderbilt's Private
Life.

stated that the vast fortune which
had collected and the power which he
necessarily welded were constantly in his
mind. lie was consequently always a
master among his friends. He disliked to
be cOntradicted when his views were cv
pressed, for he felt he had made great
achievements during life at which other
men wondered. As 10 the accumulation of
his vast wealth, the friends declare that
many transactions proved successful through
chance. Considerable money was made.
and much was kept safe 10y fortunate oc.
currenceS over which he had no influence
His private life was not an eXtravarant
one. He lived in a simple and methodical
manner. His favorite breakfast was tho
yolk only OF three softhoiled eggs, Il cup of
black tea, with twelve humps OF sugar in if.
little toast, and a lamb chop. He ALWAYS
ate this alone in his room, but the other
meals were taken with the family. Every
day he took a drive through the west side
ei Central Park, to Central Bridge, and as
far as Fleetwood Park. These drives were
taken every afternoon. but within the last
ten years the Sunday drive was altered to
10 o'clock in the morning, to avoid the
great crowd on the roads in the afternoon.
lie always had company, tut his friends
rarely saf IN the same carriage with him.
Sometimes there would be several carriages.
Inc Commodore always took winerlass
three-quarters full OF gin, with six lumps of
sugar. This was about the extent OF his
drinking. His management Of horses was
considered perfect. He knew the condi
ton OF his horses, and whenever there was
" brush on the road in which he took
part his horses would eventually win.
When driving, he always had cigar, for
he was an lnvrterdte smoker, and with this
pXppOfiOO he IyaS TpOI.I,ly ,,,o,o c,,.., e..
the tolbles and weaknesses of the world
than any oc his companions On a trim
from New York to Albany ON an express
train, lie WAS known 50 have smoked seven
cigars.
The greatest passion of which he was
possessed was his delight for card PLAYING.
In former Years the games were ALWAYS /
played at either the Union or Manhattan
Club, and consisted only OF whist, of which
he was very fond. Those who have played
many games with him state that he was :,
very adroit and clever player. He mad /
most remarkable and wonderful memory /
OF the cards after they had been played. I,
He always received poor play with fr,wn /
and praised a good one.
Since the marriage to the present Mrs.
Vanderbilt the games in this city have never
been regular, and would only occur when a
party, made up among his old friends, went
to his house. Every summer he went to
Saratoga, and it was there that the greatest
games have taken place within the last ten
years. Within that period the games of
Boston and point uchre' were. sul,sti.
tuttd for whist. The Commodore said that
his Increasing aye impaired his memory in
recalling the cards that had been PLAYED.
and the game then became dI~agrceable
task rather than pleasure. Point euchre
then became the tayorite game. The ses
SIOns Tor play at Saratog "a were held twice a
day as regularly as the striking of the clock.
The first session was held at 10 o'clock. and
play was continued until o'clock. Then
The party dined and took drive After
tea the session was resumed and play con.
tnued until 1920 2. VI. Five persons
always played, each putting one dollar in
the pool and the dealer two dollars This
was the extent to which the betting was
carried on. and many of his old friends
ueny the statements that he ever niavad
poker or had thousands Of dollars on the
table at once. Although the meetings AT
Saratoga were Regular and long. no liquor
was ever allowed, except a pitcher of ice
"altr ana some water from the Hamilton |
springs Among the old friends who Joined
IN these Games were Joseph Harkpr. Mr.. !
Ihrhhull. Chester W. Chaplin of the Boston
and Albany Railroad, Commodore c. X. ,
garrison, Col. Sandford of the Adams Ex.
press Company, Mr.. Peabody Of Philadel-
Pima, Azarlah Boody. and, within the last
lew years, William II. Vanderbilt, his son. {
As 70 other games he rarely ever plaved
them because he did not think that he
would ever be able to excel in them. He
learned the game of billiards, but never be- |
came skillful player, and after suffering
defeat from several inferior PLAYERS. in his
estmation, he discarded the game altogeth- |
ef remarklng that he began to learn too
late IN liie ever to hope to excel in it, In
all The pleasant hours which his friends re.
cail' they emphatically state that he was s
utterly opposed to any lasciViOus or lewd
remark. He would not listen to anv i'm. :
proper words, and would resent such con. 5
YeT,atlon if it happened in his presence.
Dnrng the last hours Of his sickness his /
o!l friends remembered him and frequently /
visited him, when discussion Of the past .
"ouId ensue. Every evening", when suffi {
GENTLY well, concert would be held. the I
performers being the members of the family {
ana visiting friends, for his qualification. |
4 parlor organ was procured and the con- |
Gerts were carried on regularly. Both
hymns and songs would be sung, and some {
unies the Commodore would Join in, as he ,
was exceedingly fond Of music One of his ,
- l'"'"9 "bulu sing Il comic Dutch song: |
some one else would sing an Irish song; $
layorltes of the Commodore were Dixie" /
Scots wha hae wi Wallace bed," and
many popular songs. An amusing incident {
Occurred at one Of these gatherings. A a
hymn was selected which depicted the life t
o. man after he had passed the allotted
Time Of life, three score years and ten. The
music vas Of a very plaintiye tone. After {
one verse had been sung. and when in the ,
middle Of the second, the Commodore, who
mad been intently listening throughout,
suddenly cried, Stop! enough of that; no ,
%Stup jobs on me. Give us some more
Hely music" The hymn was drop sh, I
Sna ni the well-known minstrel sony of "The
= va Folks at Home" was substituted. This .
"~ only few evenings before he died. /
CATcHING HAwKs.-As the season is an.
m,oaehlng when hawks are most destrur-