, 1884-06-25
HOME ENJOYMENTS
or Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt and
His Family.
No Aggressive spIepdor In che In
terior of Their Nansion---Rieh
Folks Who Find Life
Worth Living.


III. H. A IN chicago Trlbune.l
The most successful musicale probably ever
given in New York was that of Mrs. Cor
nelius Vanderbilt, the other evening. The
house has so often been described tina l will
not weary you with q repetition in detail of
this orgeous interior. The thing that sur
prises me most in this mansion is the har-
monious appearance OF it as a whole, and
that in no Instance does tho richness or the
amount of wealth expended ON, it force itself
upon you. There is nothing aggressively
splendid in the in.srior. The only room in
the house which looks the least bit too fine
for every day people to live in is the dining
room When a friend asked Mr.. Cornelius
Vanderbilt IL they really ate in tuis room,
explaining that il looked too grand for any
such everl day purpose, he replied: 20 yes,
we are quite a large family, and we always
eat here, for several reasons: first, because |
don't believe in a d~ining-room for show, and,
secondly, because we JLink 1t keeps our
servants in very much better trim not to
have any changes when we are entertaining
company from our regular mode of life"
1t IL said it takes three generations to make
a gentleman, but in this case the old rule is
proved by the exception, for certainly there
cannot be, in ali New YORK, d Lnvr5 eolrse-
Gus aud more uno5tentatious gentleman than
Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, anu a gentleman
In the true sense Of the word he certainly is
1t is unnecessary for me to add that he dlffe.s
very greatly from the other Vauderbils.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt are an
exceedingly devoted and attached couple;
they have a number of children, and Mr..
Vanderbilt has quite a little taste for art and
literature; while he does hot make any pre-
tensions, he is an exceedingly 1ell-read man,
Knows a good picture when he sees one, and
has quite u taste for bric-a-brac. l noticed
while serving on the committee of the loan
for tic Bartholdi statue fund that many of
the most valuable objects and curios bo-
longed to Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt; he has,
of course, a magnificent art gallery, and has
been n g.eat friend to the American artists.
1t is not necessary, in Mr.. VanderbiIt's
opinion, that a picture should have a
celebrated name. and that a foreign name, in
order TO make 1t meritorious; and ON two or
three occasions which l could mention he has
discovered talent in a hitherto unrecognized
artist. Mr.. Vanderbilt mas a charming col
lection of old snuff-boxes In gold and enamel,
also an excellent collection of japanese
curios, and a good many pieces Of rare old
silver.
The other evening Miss Kellogg sang at
the concert, Josefy played, and as usual MIR.
Vanderbilt gave the very best talent he could
command for the pleasure OF his guests, who
numbered on this occasion about 3OO. and all
were invited because they were known to be
lovers OF music. 8irs. Vanderbilt the evening
in question was dressed more plainly, proba-
bly,, than any of her guests; In fact, Mrs
Cornelius Vanderbilt makes no show person.
ally, either at home or in the street Her
carriage Is n very quiet one, without display
in regard to livery or armorial bearings, and
she herself would probably be the last per-
son in an assembly of ladies one would
naturally select as the wife of the many
man times millionaire.