The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-15
Where Mrs. Astor and Ward Nc
Allister Camp is the Head
quarters Of Swelldom.
Newport is just Now the Seat Of
Government of the Ameri-
can Aristocracy.
Some Interesting Facts About the Peo-
pie Who do Not Mix With the
Common Rabble.

t6D9ClM correspondence VI LIE 1NOEfANOANI.
New York, Sept. 12.-Fashion's court ID
not where the president is, nor where the
|greatest number of people are, nor yet
where the money is, though money is there
incidentally, but it is where Mrs. Aston
gives audiences and dispenses hospitality.
In Mrs. Astor's wake is always the efficient
prime minister, Ward McAllister, and
where these two are is the headquarters Of
american aristocracy. If certain others
did not eieot to come also-the Belmonts
and Goelets. the Livingstones. Vanderbilts,
Coopers, Lawrences and Bonapartes-
these did not make common cause with
Mrs. Aston; then no place could be called the
court; but they do, and by these presents
upper swelldom is still at Newport.
But the super aristocratic pretensions of
Newport are not based entirely on blood
and money, for Bishop Potter lends his
holy presence, and last year fought the
claims of the common people to the use of
The beach.
There is subtle difference, but differ
bnce entirely palpable to the casual visitor
between the social atmosphere of Newport
md that of the other similar resorts-Nara-
.ansett Pier, Lenox, Bar Harbor and Rich
ield-to which swelldom goes occasionally.
This is gravely important point on which
he public will be glad to be instructed.
30 it known. therefore. that at the other
places visitors not in the set are graciously
flowed to enjoy themselves unfrowned
kpon as intruders, and one may live at the
hotels without being called vulgar. OF
curse by including Lenox refer to the
lime before the court moves up there later
the autumn. But at Newport everything
de rigeur. Society does not indulge itself
ven in surf bathing, taking its aristocratic
aths indoors. There is here no hotel life;
My hotel existence. There are sets in
st, and woe to you if You are not in it.
The social surface here appears to the
utsider calm as a summer sea, but it has
,s sensation within; its intrigues, its jeal-
usies; its people with idiosyncrasies.
mong the last is Mrs. Paran Stevens, who
at present robbing the set of its beauty
eep and furnishing the stock theme for
nall talk. Mrs. Stevens inaugurated the
Jason by the loss and recovery-found in
or own bed-of $13, 600 worth of diamonds,
nd suit for false accusation Of French
laid. It is not many months since she had
arts agog, and the detectives OF two CONT
snts hunting for Jewels found eventually
her own rooms. At this time she had a
lit against her by Swiss maid for false
nprisonment. Last year she had three
stectives to watch her grounds which we're
vaded by night marauders, who turned
It to be her own maid keeping tryst with
ould cause harsh remarks, but Mrs. Ste
ms is an fait at Newport, and they are
ought a delicious manifestation of indi-
duality.
Ward McAllister is social nondescript
no gets a kind of advertising which he
odicum of refined taste. There is not a
an with whom he knocks elbows socially
no would not scorn it. One can't help
cling for his family; to be known in
ciety as Ward MoAllister's daughter must
heavy fate. The announcement at the
lister had gone to Newport earlier than
his custom to prepare for the reception of
ince George of Wales and the English
uadron," struck the keynote of his i'm
rtance here this season; and though
ince George has not appeared he has en-
rtained everybody else, and fairly fills the
70 as the most important parsonage in
ewport after Mrs. Aston. It will interest
9 philosophic reader to know that the man
10 has attained this eminence has COM
ratively small income and that he does
live in costly cottage.
Mrs. Fred K. Vanderbilt is perhaps the
psf interesting cottager here. She has
ore character than all the other women
together. She is the Lady Bountiful
Newport.
Mrs. Cornelius is stingy. and counts even
money she pays out to those who serve
:, but Mrs. Fred, born herself in poverty,
ems to have heart for all who suffer.
10 Christian Scientists in the set-there
lots of them-maintained after her Sc
re- sickness last summer that it was the
slth. ' '"' '0'' '' 10
The truth seems to be that Mrs. Fred has
'te as we'll as character and heart, and
atever pertains to her gains some new
zee thereby. But there are really some
thetic marvels in her house. There is a
wport. 1t is sunshine color, of all others
color for summer interior. It has
.sh wall hangings which are deep orange
the folds and pale yellow where the light
noes. like sunlight through wood, and
ld-wOven tapestries of the same colors
ngled, and woodwork of white and gold;
ummer's idyl.
ONE knowing people have turned their
glasses on Newport for the express pur-
ct Watching the operations Of Mr.. Cal
Brice, OF Napoleonic ambition, who, not
tent With a western senatorship. is un-
stood to be now engaged In scooping in
social position at Newport which his
ius has clearly predestined him to hold.
vas bold experiment, for politics are
sidered vulgar by ''the SET" but an he
been allowed to acquire valuable prom
and to become one of the governors of
Casino, his success to an outsider seems
aady assured. ADA Cone,
Upright.