The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-15

Is lady whose name is well known, not
only in San Francisco but throughout the
United States, for the lady is one of the
richest women in the world AS The widow
of Mark Hopkins, she fell heir to an immense
fortune, which has been judicIoGsly in
vested and made to return large profits.
She has extensive railroad interests, and
altogether it would be difficult to accurately
estimate the exact amount of the Hopkins
estate. In 1887 Mrs. Hopkins married again.
The gentleman who persuaded her to for
sake her condition of widowh0od was man
much her Junior, who no doubt taking cour-
age from tie precedent established by the
bold AShmead and the Baroness Burdett-
Coutts. felt that if faint heart ne'er won fair
LADY, he would have nothing to do with faint
heart but would brayely go in and win.
More than once after her husbands death
had Mrs. Hopkins been the subject of spec
ulatiye gossip rs to the chances of her mar
rying again. Names of the happy men were
given from time to time. AT one period
knowing ones declared that it was to be a
certain young Lieutenant stationed at the
Preside; but whatever may have been
his grounds for hope, they were suffered to
come to naught. Mr.. SearleS had the inside
track, so to speak, and he obtained it by a
series of fortuitous circumstances. As is
well known, Mrs. Hopkins has perfect
mania for building houses. She owns
several in different parts Of the United
States, and of the magnificent won
derS of her home in Great Barring
ton, Conn.,, only those who have seen
it can form any adequate conception of their
richness, elegance and massive grandeur.
Mr.. Searles was decorator and furnisher,
or to be more explicit, he became Mrs. Hop
klnS' superintendent OF construction. Her
consultations with linn were endless, and at
last they were married. The wedding took
place early in November, 1887. In New
Y ork City Mrs. Mark Hopkins was united
in marriage to Mr.. E. t. Searles. The
ceremony was quietly performed in Trinity
Chapel by the Rev. DR.. Piatt, formerly of
Grace Church, San Francisco, and former
pastor OF the bride. A breakfast at Del
monico'S was enjoyed afterward, at which
there were present Mr.. and Mrs. Moses
Hopkins of this city and Mr.. and Mrs. E. ID.
Faulkner, Mr.. Plat. Miss Plat Of New
York. The bridal couple departed upon a
wedding tour, speut the winter in New
York and in the following spring went to
Great Darlington.
The Hopkins house on California-street
hill Is palatial IN its design and beautiful In
its appointments At the time of its con-
structiOD, the representative of Mrs. Hop
kins gave permission TO several parties to
inspect its proportions. But some vandal
took occasion TO scribble with diamond
point over several OF III pat Ass wiz
dows. and of course that put an end to all
visits Of inspection. Mrs. Hopkins Ia this
. was before her second marriagel was de-
votedly fond of Music, and her m lsie-ruom
in the Calfornia-Street house was perfection
in its way. 1t has very fine organ as well
as magnificent piano More than once did
the hostess entertain few of her friends
with muscales, rendered by the best of our
local society talent.
The main hall of this elegant mansion is
beautifully frpscoed, and its side walls
painted in Moorish design. On the right
of this hall is the recepti9n-room in white
and blue and gold On the left of
the main hall is the grand saloa, a room of
magnificent dimensions. The frescoings
were executed by leading fresco artist. At
the further end of the salon hangs Toby
Rosenthal's great painting, The Seminary
Alarmed" A multiplicity of expansive
mirrors flash back the light. the rich tints
spective indefinitely. All the other apart
ments are on the same grand scale
Not only is Mrs. H0pkins-Searles patron
of the arts and of music. but she is a collec-
tor and lover of rare old lace. Her pos
sessions IN this line are declared to he very
fine. Among her specimens may be men
toned some magnificent pieces OF the an
Gent point d AleGcOn, a lace not now to be
purchased in any market In the world. Mrs.
HopkIns-Searles' specimens are in founces
of all widtlis-some remarkably deep and of
sufficient quantity to cover court-dress
In this incomparaOly valuable lace she has
also several shawls, fans and a parasol
cover. Her pieces of magnificent
f Fanders lace ,bi are i also very rare
sold under the name OF Duchesse. She fire.
quently dons au entire dress of Chantlly,
with fan and parasol to match. Besides
these this fortunate lady has a number of
ancient point applique f1ounces, a scarf of
light point de Venice, guipures in great
quantities, both black and white, fine col
lection OF old MaIines, Valenciennes in all
sizes and designs Zone founce is sixteen
inches wide and ten yards long, and much
real Spanish lace. both black and white. On
her bed-linen Is a profuson of the rich,
heavy cd linen lace, or antique tape lace,
which is now rarely if ever manufactured
About two years ago Mr. and Mrs. Senrles
revisited California, spending some time in
this city and resuming their delightful mu-
steal evenings. Among those who sang
were Mr.. and Mrs. Mariner Campbell, OF
Grace Church choir.