The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-16


family. Their dinners have bsen the best
rtven in New York, and the various enter
+ainments at the Vanderbilt mansions hav Q
been on a scale of magnifcence scarcely il
ever eaualed III the world.
1t was not long ago that the Vandsrbilts
we're rated as second-claSs people. They
were never spoken of in tn same breath
with the Astors, the Fisks, the Rhinela nders,
the Stuvvesants, or any of the other families
Who make I'D the charmed circle of Meal
listers -four hundred" But five years has
made a great difference. and the Wander
bits are now not only the masters OF the
greatest aggregated fortunes in the world,
but thew are indlsputably at the head OK tn
fashionable set in Gotham.
This revolution has not come about in a
single day. 1t has grown slowly, and now
whatever the VanderbiltS do in fashionable
life is quickly f)llowed by others of smaller
fortunes who swim in the great social sea.
Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, the head of
the family, is as ordinary looking man as
YOU will find in days walk. He looks like
a well fed and prosperous banker, and to
see him passing the plate in st. Bartholo-
news church on Sunday morning, no one
would dream that he could draw his check
for $3.50 900 900. There's nothing about him
or his wife that is in the slightest degree
SNOWY. They dress well but never loud
They give fortunes to charity every yea,
but never ostentatiously. They give elabo-
rate entertainments, but the facts never get
into the newspapers except at second hand :.
In word they are as modest, gentle and
atfable as any couple whose income is not
over s., 900 year.
1t is interesting to know that the entire
Vanderbilt family goes in for religion, art
and literature. Even the children are re-
ligiously inclined, and there is not book
sale of Importance, or an art sale, or brio
a-brac sale, where there is likely to lie a
rare piece of lace, embroidery or china,
at which the VanderbiltS are not repreSen-
ted ...
Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt gives two din
ners each week during the season. He
never has less than thirty guests, and some
times fifty.
William K. Vanderbilt, the next brother
in point of age and prominence before the
public cares little or nothing for public
life. He has chicken farm on Long Island
to which he devotes great attention, and is
great lover of whist.
The ladies of the Vanderbilt families are
accomplished women. They embroider,
paint, sing fairly well. are clever in anna
tuer theatricals and Rotations, are well
read, and can perform on several musical
instruments. When they give an entertain
ment at their house they employ the best
talent the metropolitan stage affords, the
best singers from the opera house for their
guests, and frequently artist of the cal Der
Of Coquelin and Jane Hadlng to reclte for
them.
Their afternoon teas are marvels of good
taste GUESS come and go as they please.
There is no restraint and all the pretty So
ciety buds find it advantageous to shelter
under the wings of the daughters aud wives
of this wealthy family. Even for au after
noon reception the refreshments are Of the
most elaborate character. Yet there is no
vulgar extravaganza anywhere visible.
There is always enough champagne to I'LL
hogshead. The Va1derbilts have estab-
lished the English fashion of decanting the
champagne into pitchers, and it is served
without the froth, in regular continental
fashion The wine and supper are always
served separately.
The family is never too gay or too much
occupied to pay strict attention to devo-
tlonal exercise, and every Sunday morning
they are found in their pews at church.
They walk to and fro. They believe in CIV