Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-02-06
Mr.. BANcROFT'S HOME.

A Charming Picture of the Newport Houss
of the Celebrated Historian. -.
The Newport home of the historian
Bancroft, is one of those delightful cliff
villas, the situation of which seems as
near perfect as it is possible for any
thing to be in this world of woe and
wants. The entrance to the place is ON
a quiet lane or side street, about .
stones throw from the avenue
The historians great. pleasant. old
fashioned dwelling seems to invite one
to repose and rest such rest as comaS
only after the labor which alone makee
recreation worth having. The whole
house is covered with creeping vines,
which Chamber lovingly over its sides,
giving it their own freshness and beauty,
as the affection of the young winds itself
about the hearts of the old The whole
atmosphere of the place is utterly unlike
modern Newport, for which let us be
thankful
The house is beautiful one, with
large rooms and wide, spacious halls.o
Here during the life of Mrs Bancroft
many beautiful entertainments and
stately dinners were given. where the
talk was brilliant and the guests people
of distinction, both foreigners and
Americans. As ex-Minister to St. James,
Mr.. Bancroft extended his hospitality to
many Englishmen-
Occasionally he is seen at the great re-
ception, where he is always surrounded
by friends and admirers, and where he
is always treated as the most hcnored
guest of the occasion. AT Mrs. Cornelius
Vanderbilt's beautiful lawn party. held
on the spacious grounds of the Vanderz
bilt cliff villa, ''The Breakers the
cream of Newport beauty and fashiof
were gathered beneath the great mar
quee tent, where refreshments were
spread in tempting profusion- Here
we're the bellies of the season, Miss Har--
zous, Miss Letter and the rest. with
their attendant SWANS, the young ladies'
looking their best and bravest. as be-
fitted the occasion and their own posis
ton as the acknowledged bellies of the
season At first these fair warriors who
conquer the hearts of men had every
thing their own way-they were. As
usual, the cynosure of all eyes. Present.
ly an old gentleman of venerable as
pect, with thick, white hair and aslendef
figure, approached the citadel of the
afternoons gayety-and presto, the cit
adel instantly capitulated, and the fair
conquerors at once abandoned their lau-
refs. 10 crown Wild them tn3S quiet eli
derby man. The most interesting tete-
a-tetes were abandoned, the fascination
of love-sick youths was deferred till .
more convenient season, while young
men and girls alike gathered about Mri
Bancroft, congratulating him., compli-
menting him and vieing with one an
other to do him honor. Some one pre-
sently proposing his health, it was en-
Enthusiastically pledged IN champagne
Mr.. Bancroft, in return. made one Of
those chivalrous speeches which are 50
characteristic of the refined and polished
old gentleman
Mr.. Bancroft is an old friend OF 1frs.
Julia Ward Howe, his acquaintaDce
with her family dating back - the
twenties or thirties, and to the days OF
the famous Round Hill school. where
the late Mr.. Sam Ward studied. In COM
mon with many other bright boys, under
the tuition of Mr.. Bancroft and the late
Joseph Green Cogswell-N- Y. Epoch
If we could know all the bad things
that our neighbors are constantly say
ing about us, we should probably talk