Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-27
AN ECCENTRIC HOST.
The Queer DOings of MIR. Henry Have


The New York 3a1'js says-NIr Henry
Havemoyer, whose sanity is to be inquir-
cd into by commission appointed on
Friday last by Judge Lawrence has long
been known to a wide circle of friends and
acquaintances as jolly good fellow and
princely host, and to this circle the an
nouncement of his unfortunate mental
condition, if it does not come wholly as a
surprise, will OF leabt be received with un-
feigned regret. Mr.. Havemeyer enter
tained freely at his house in this city, but
it is chiefly on his entertainments at his
country seat that his fame for hospitality
rests.
His country seat is on an islet known
as Havemeyer's Island, in the Great South
Bay, ON the Atlantic shore Of long vs.
land, not far from Fire Island. Upon
this property, which Mr.. Havemeycr OBJ
tained by purchase a number Of years
ago, he set up model country cstab-
lishment, and instituted princely aud in
many respects unique fvst-m Of enter
tainment. Communication with New
York is had chiefly by way Of Babylon
and the Long Island Railroad, and fol
the conveyance of his guests between the
island and Babylon Mr.. Hnvemeyer pro.
vided himself with fine steam launch
He frequently entertained parties of la
dies and gentlemen, but "Ptag parties
were his particular delight Whcha stag
party approached the island in steam
launch, its members were astonished, no
to say startled, by a salyo of artiler,
from a masked battery near the landing
} The surprise of tine guests was increase,
on landing to find corps of tormentors
attired as United States Custom Hous,
officers, rushing for their baggage, an,
insisting on the formality of rigid ex
animation of portmanteaux and band
boxes. Being finally, and after nil tn,
: delay ordinarily experienced by Ney
Workers returned from European trip
acquitted af attempted smuggling, tn
guests proceededto Mr.. Havemeyers resi-
dence, and We're struck speechless at tn
= sight of uniformed and armed sentrie
7 pacing before the entrance.
| If the arrival did not take place nea
the dinner hour, the party was beguiled
: as it elected during the intervening time
3 with sailing or fishing excursion, O
some other outdoor amusement. 1t wa
c at the dinner hour, however, that the fan
clcal climax was reached. The Lu,at
+ were ushered into the dining.hall W.
Il great formality by Mr. Havemcver ni!l
self, When all were seated, the hos
+ placed himself Mt the head of the tabl
: and tapped a silver bell. Instantly door
flew open ON different sides of the room
/ and in filed what seemed to be an impo.
y ing visitation of military commander,
e but really walters bedecked in the gaud
e uniforms of Austrian and Prussian gel
s erals, French marshals, and officers {
e other eilete European monarchies. TIL
n semblance was complete, down to th
!. smallest particulars. The mimic Officer
= were helmeted and plumed, spurred, b,
sworded and epauleted. But to heighte
l. the caricature each generalisslmo bon
!. aloft upon his gloved and uplifted hand
d a dish of sumptuous and savory viands.
n But there the farce ended. There wf
: no caricature beyond the cuisine. Thos
e who have had the good fortune to sit ,
Mr.. Havemeyer's hospitable board woul
8. have to go far to find more sumptuor
i table. The peculiar features with whic
& he encompassed his hospitality were r.
garded at the time as the enactment of
l. clever satire on foreign pomposity an
20 certain existing domestic customs, b,
his II lends gravely ask themselves no
n whether they might not in reality ha,
S. marked the point at which natural
1t keen and ingenious intellect began to d
id verge from the course of sanity. With
ly the last year or two downright eccentric
in ties have manifested themselves in NJ
y, Havemeyer's conduct Latterly it h
at been no uncommon thing for him to i
vite friend to call at his house at
| specified time for the discussion of (
p important business matter, and to see
ID entirely forgetful of the matter when Il
appointment was kept.