The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-05-17
THREE SOCIAL FAvORITEs.
MRS. CLEVELAND, MRS. WHITNEY,
AND MRS. SPINOLA,
Their Homes and Home Life In New
York-An Interesting Talk with Mrs.
Whitney--Mrs. spinola's Beautiful
Long Island Residence.


Marie Decca as soloist. No better orchestra
music is played in this country than by our
Marine Band, and Decca has shown plucki-
ness united to skill in vocalization that will
yet cause the hearts Of Washingtonians to throb
with pride at the mention of her name as 'one
of u.s."
On Monday morning the spring atmosphere
was irresistible, and thought would hunt
up those erstwhile Washington favorites the
Incompatible Mrs. Cleveland, and that queen
of hostesses, Mrs. Whitney. In very mod
est house, compared with many other New
York mansions Grover and Frances
have set up housekeeping on Madison avenue.
The maid, who appeared in answer to the
pressure on the electric button, politely In
formed me that "Mrs. Cleveland had left for
her country home In Massachusetts last
week." Like Joe, the sweep, moved on.
No. / Fifty-seventh street and Fifth ave-
nue. is not go very far away. The elegant
Whitney mansion is covered to the depth of
one. stcry with the greenest Of Ivy. Mrs.
Whitney was at home, and received me as
cordially as though it was only last week
since we parted, The elegance and richness
of the appointments of this establishment
are we'll known by reputation, but to be ap-
preciated they must be seen. Mrs. Whitneys
home in Washington was elegant and rich,
but this New York house has a surprising
beauty and ornateness One enters wide
vestibule through doors Of Tiffany glass.
Reception, writing, and drawing. rooms COM
plete the suite, while to the right there is a
fine ballroom, which is decorated and fur
nished in the style of Louis XIV. On the
tertained the Yale Glee Club after their public
concert. The Oldest of her sons is now
Yale man. These gay youths were treated
royalty by the father and mother of young
Whitney. "They are jolly set" said Mrs
Whitney, s'and they sing their songs mimi
tably, besides performing on stringed instru-
ments like professors. They are full of talent
and fun, and it pleased me to be able to make
a good time for them"
In answer to question about Mrs. Cleve-
land she said: ssShe is as lovely as ever and
great favorite in New York society. Thepast
winter she has not been quite well physically
that is, less robust than formerly-although
one cannot say just what is the cause of it.
She is very much taken up with the Kinder
garten work, in which Mr. Curtis and Mr..
Glider are also Interested They have three
or four fourishing gartens running now.
Mrs. Cleveland loves country life and always
goes away early"
"What do you think of politics, Mrs. Whit
ney2s", 49,, 49,, , -, -. . no,,.,o,.r : ,,,+ a.
confess to having been little amused at some
of the Waterloos of the present regime; and l
cannot help thinking that the Democracy will
come into power next time."
"When are you coming to Washington :"
81 do not know, but think may for a
time next season. / have enjoyed many
happy days there, but could not bring myself
to go to Washington for the past two years to
see so many changes in social life. 1t Is one
of the most charming cities in the world, and
shall always remember with pleasure my
official residence there"
s'How about little Dorothy ?'' ,g.11y
''Oh, she is just the dearest and sweetest
little maid of four years and the best child
ever had. My other children cried, kicked,
and had whims, like children generally, but
Dorothy has never yet found out how nice 1t
is to have her own way. She is always docile
and good. She Is out this morning with her
nurse, with "a hat and sash, mamma, widout
coaty at ALL as she said to me as she went
for walk in the park. am sorry, otherwise
YOU might see her.''
Thus our talk ended, in the womanliest
way, of the children, all Of whom are from
home but this lite fairy, getting aH education
in schools, colleges, or by travel. The oldest
daughter is now abroad, completing her train
ing In the study of languages.
sit makes the house seem very lonely
said Mrs. Whitney, as she said good morn
ing and turned to receive another visitor.
On Monday evening took Long Island
train to fulfil an engagement made some
later, to visit Setanket, the family country
seat No New Yorker thinks anything of
two hours run home by rail after ones bust
ness day is over. That is schedule time tC
''Crane Neck" the name of the delightful,
situated residence of the late General ant
Mrs. Spinola. Very fair it looked in the glow
of sunset, which rested on the wellkept lawI
and was reflected In shining ripples on thu
waters of the Sound. The mansion is the &C
cretion of years, and the place was given Il
Mrs. Spinola by the General as weddipl
gift. 1t is situated on the heights OF tn
north shore of the island, and has over thre
miles of beach within its area. The view 1
very charming. White sails can be seen al
day long in the distant ofiing. Genera
Spinola asked his bride over thirty year
ago which she preferred, "a countr
or city home," and she answered, ''If we ca
have but one prefer the country home," an
they chose this spot, because he was born ol
the island and loved its associations an
scenery. They first occupied the old home
stead where the tenants farmhouse nov
stands, but as that was later on burned dow
this more modern mansion was built on tn
rising ground quite near, that overlooks fai
meadows, with q fine orchard, and the eyel
changing, never-wearying water The res
building Of this house Is cottage with 10y
caves and dormer windows, in which are sitr
ated kitchens. fine large low-ceiled dining
room, with an incomparably hne view 1roI
the bay window, Mrs. Spinola's sitting-roon
reception-room, and wide back hall al
also In this a." The new part is thre
stories high and surrounded by twelve-foo
piazza on three sides. The salon parlor is on
of the finest of rooms, some twenty-five iet
broad by forty-fve long. 1t contains wv
Veronese pictures of great value and sewers
other valuable works of art, with rare vases froi
China and Sevres, and many choice ana beat
tiful things seldom seen in the summer res
dences OF even our wealthy men.
1t has been the custom TO keep IN the stael'
eighteen or twenty carriage or riding horse