Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-03-14

From q Special Correspondent
NEW YORK, February 28th.-It gives
me great pleasure to write you q letter
about what ia going on in our great city
at present. and first of all, think must
tell you of Mr.. Vanderbilt's new house,
or rather palace, on Fifth Avenue, of
which you have all. no doubt, heard
wonders, and of which I had my first
glimpse or view the other day.
The occasion was the first of series
of receptions given to the newly.mar-
ried daughter of the house, Mis-. DR..
Seward Webb. The house is, as have
said, located on Fifth Avenue, a little
above the grand and beautiful Catholic
cathedral With its exterior / know
you must all be familiar, for descrip-
tions of it have been going the rounds
of the papers for the last year or 80. 30
I will devote my time to describing the
charming interior.
As the massive Ghiberti doors swing
open, entered a square vestibule, sur
rounded with architraves of pale yellow
marble, and in front of me stood an ex
quisite Parian marble vase filled with
rare and blooming roses and hyacinths:
Three more brOnZed doors then opened
into the dressing rooms, and l then en-
tered an immense hall which extends
to the top of the house, with galleries
on each story. The balustrades running
around them are composed Of single
figures exquisitely wrought of bronze
and brass. and they are supported on
columns of crimson marble with bases
Of bronze and silver. Around the hall
extends rich carved wainscot of Eng
lish oaks, and y sparkling wood fire
h,,r In. ~ nloO vyh hioh roo nj o.
to the ceiling Around the hall are dis
tributed with lavish and ARTISTIC touch,
superb statues in bronze and marble.
The drawing room or SALON where
the guests were received reminds one Of
the dazzling pen-pictures of spbterra-
mean palaces in that book SO dear. to
childhood's days, the Arabian Nights.
The room is hung with delicate crimson
plush over which wander beautiful
flowers, embroidered in their natural
colors, real butterflies of brilliant plu-
mage, and cut crystals which resemble
the precious stones, diamonds, ruhies,
sapphires, and emeralds. The wood
work is inlaid with mother of pearl,
and profusely carved. The columns
which support the ceiling are OF the
finest porphying and are enriched with
seeming precious jewels. The win
dows are of stained glass, the furniture
and carpets most luxurious. Female
figures Of silver clasping clusters of
lights stand before all the mirrors,
few rare pictures hang on the wall and
about every article in the room the most
perfect taste is displayed, and everything
harmonizes beautifully. A prominent
person who had visited fifteen palaces
In Europe said to me after seeing it and
being charmed with its splendor, ut is
as noble, sincere, and fine as II Albrecht,
Duer, and Peter Fischer had made it
with their hands. So far as I know, it
70 the most beautiful room In the world.
I have seen the interior Of many PALACES
abroad, bnt meyer one to compare with
this "
The Japanese room opens from this
jeweled parlor, and in it ia displayed all
the luxury and perfection Of that cplti-
waited nstion. Even the. carpet is OF
bamboo pattern. Here we could sit and
read and feel at home, SO exquisitely
harmonious is the perfection of art and
luxury. The yellows and greens, the
Japanese uncut velvet In low tones, the
panels of bronze relieved by dots of gold
and silver, the red and Miaco LACQUER
work-all are Japanese Italmost seems
as If the beaming and artistic genius
which for these tho1sand years has been
dreaming in Japan wakes up to-day in
that lovely room in Fifth Avenue.
Every day Is feast day in such a
room as MI: Vanderbilt's dining. room,
It is in the style Of the italian Renais.
sance and our first impression is of gran
deur and spaciousness. Its arched cell
ings and paintings; its beautiful detail
Of silver network and golden vines
which ornament the panels Of the CELL
ing; its artistic cabinets full of priceless
porcelain, plats and china; its heavy
English oak chairs and tables, its vases
of Sevres, Dresden, and Worcester; it's
silver, porcelain, and glasses on rich
consoles, make this room one of the
most superb hanqneting rooms in the
J v nrld