The National tribune., 1882-01-28
THE VANDERBILT MANSION,

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The great railroad magnate, w. H. Vanderbilt,
had his house-warming in New York recently.
1t was also made TIE occasion of the first recep-
ton to Mr.. and Mrs. Seward Webb who were
recently married. Mrs. Webb was Miss Leila
Vanderbilt, and she has just returned from her
wedding journey. The reception began at 3
o'clock and ended at 6. Between 200 and 800
people called in the course of the afternoon. A
wide awning carpeted and lighted by gas jets,
extended from the porch to the curb. Within
the curtains were drawn and the gas was lighted.
A few baskets and vases Of roses were placed
here and there, but no attempt was made at ex-
tensive decoration, the brilliant ornamentation
of the parlors making it unnecessary. Delmonico
served a collation.. An orchestra played in the
balcony. Mr.. and Mrs. Vanderbilt and DR.. and
Mrs. Webb received the visitors in the great
picture gallery
Mr.. Vanderbilt's house is the most elegant
private residence, inside and out, in New York
city. The building comprises three houses. A
central porch divides the building into two sec
tiOns The south section is Mr.. Vanderblt's
own residence. 1t is "a feet front by rs feet
deep, and four stories in height. The north sec
ton is "A feet front by los feet deep, and is
divided into two houses. The one next to Mr.
Vanderbilt's will be occupied by Mrs. Sloane
and the corner one by Mrs. Shepherd, daughters
of Mr.. Vanderbilt. Only Mr.. Vanderbilt's sec
ton is at present completed although all will
soon be finished.
To the right as one enters the main hall is the
wide staircase with bronze banisters. The first
landing opens on a gallery which runs around
the aquarelle room. On the second floor, the
room in the northeast corner is the family parlor.
1t is finished in ebony, inlaid with ivory. The
walls are covered with a dark blue silk brocade,
and the ceiling is divided in small panels, with
paintings of children at play. The next room
ON Fifth avenue is Mrs. Vanderbilt's bedroom,
furnished by Alard of Paris. The walls are of
white marble, hung with silk, and the ceiling is
covered with the painting awakening of Au-
rora," by Lefebvre. The frieze is of rosewood
and mahogany. The room is 26 feet square. Mr..
Vanderbilt's room, adjoining, is finished in rose
wood, inlaid with satin wood His dressing
room is wainscOtted eight feet high in glass
Opalescent tiles of blue, gold and silver tints
and gilded on the backs. The bath-tubs and
basins are Of mahogany and silver, and are con-
cealed by sliding plate-glass mirrors. The large
room On Fifty-frst street is a library, fitted up
in mahogany and stamped leather. The bed
room intended for Miss Leila now Mrs. Webb is
fitted with rosewood, inlaid with mother of pearl.
The mirrors are painted with an imitation of
lacework through which chrildren's heads peep.
Between 600 and 700 men were employed for
a year and half on the interior decorations.
Sixty sculptors were brought here from Europe
and kept at work for two years. The total cost,
including the furniture, is said to have been
100000
a MONEY KING SNUBBED.
The house does not show to advantage at
present, and ought not in justice to the plans
and intentions of its proprietor and the artists
who have been engaged upon its details, now be
described Over 1, 800 invitations had been sent
out by the hostess, but not more than one-half
of the guests responded 1t was noticeable that
neither of the old Knckerbocker families, such
as the Astors and Roosevelts honored the occasion
by their presence,