The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-17

| largely his own architect, ana the result
| would indicate that he Is not a pad one
! He has been courageous enough 10 oorro"
literally from others but mainly IRON
Switzerland. for the house as seen from q
distance resembles an Alpine chateau
The massive mountains near by add 70
this impression The house IL - yet 1T
an unfinished condition. but work on It's
interior has gone sufficiently far to enable
one to see that IL will be a magnificent
structure when finished. The halls In IL
are as wide and lofty as those In the o1o
house Of England. There are no sIndil
rooms. The dining-halls are immense.
There are no less than 90 guest CHAMBERS
an indication that Mr.. Vanderbilt does not
intend 10 be a hermit In his mountain
home. There are several large rooms
evidently intended to be reception rooms,
and there is a large ballroom looking out
upon the mountains showing most fo-
mantle scene by moonlight. The baths
are OF marble mined from the mountains
near by, and the whole interior is ricn in
appearance and arrangement.
The stables at distance alone are finer
than many modern houses, and the ken
nels-for there is yet game In IN zee
mountains-are on plane with the other
buildings
Withal there is nothing glaring or
garish about all this. Mbny modern
houses would look ridiculous in the midst
Of the Wild mountain scenery, but Mr.
Vanderbilt has been fortunate enough 20
bring about harmony and TO make his
splendid home appear natural part OF
the scene presented.
No one but Mr. Vanderbilt himself
knows what all this has cost him. The
amount IS small compared with what IT
would have been had the estate been in
the North. Land IN Western North Caro-
lima when Vanderbilt purchased was ride
ulously low. So were all sorts Of ordinary
labor, for skilled labor had 10 come from
the North at Northern rates OF wages.
But the building material was right at
hand to be cut or mined, and nature
herself had been the surveyor and land
scape gardner as well.
Whatever Mr. Vanderbilt has expended
upon his estate, however, has been we'll
spent, for he has the most beautiful
country home IN America. and I'm a spot
as healthful as may be found anywhere.
The farm as much as the library. ia
George NandTbnts hobby Just now
lie has found health I'm experimenting
# and he will be a strange member OF
the Vanderbilts If ne does not make the
farm I'm the end pay for itself despite
the heavy outlay upon IL. one thing he
has already set out 10 do, and considering
his capital and the locality OF his farm
he should succeed. He proposes 20 give
our American fower-growers the benefit
OF some experiments that he will make
regardless Of expense. He is an enthusiast
on the subject of flowers. and it is his in
tention. or more properly, perhaps, his
ambition, to grow on his Southern farm
orchids. palms, chrysanthemums and
other rare flowers that may not be eX-
celled. If money counts for anything he
will probably succeed. Mr. Vanderbilt
spends a good deal OF his time in the
South. and while he has never gone in
for sport as some other young men do,
ne has become somewhat Of hunter by
mixing with the Carolina mountaineeers,
whereby his health has been benented
even Il he has not made record as
a Nimrod.
But George Vanderbilt does not devote
all of his large income to those things
that appeal most to his own inclinauons
and tastes. He is like all of the Wander
hits. n large givcr 10 all charities that
are deserving Like all Of his family ne
gives with discrimination, and Is not OF
the sort TO scatter money without
knowing the purpose 10 which II Is TO be
applied But he IL no niggard. When the
project OF a new building for the New
York college for teachers was 10 the fore,
he gave lots for the purpose near the new
site OF Columbia college worth a small
fortune at the time and sure TO be worth
much more. This Is but one OF many
similar acts Usually however, the pub
lie hears and knows nothing Of his deeds
of beneyolence. They are mainly I'm aid
OF educational objects, for he is not OF
quite so religious turn as his elder
brother Cornelius who Is a mainstay OF
the Young Mems Christian Association,
and of numerous semi-religious organi-
cations.
Take him all I'm all, George Vanderbilt
IS a very good type of the young man OF
to-day who IS made up mentally and NOR
ally that great wealth cannot spoil him.
He had every opportunity 10 turn out an
idle spendthrift as a great many young
men with less wealth would do 20 make
garish displays Of richness and Yulgarlty
and 20 help make good the criticism often
freely passed upon TIE sons Of these men.
He did not make use Of these opportuni
ties, and when you meet him alone or
in company he is always the same. quite
an unostentatious and courteous gentle
man. 4 ripe scholar he makes no show
Of the fact, being satisfied with the pleas
ure IL gives himself. With vast wealth he
handles IL wisely but opens his purse
when there IS legitimate need for IL 10 be
opened. It Is hardly strange, all things
considered. that he should be more pOpu-
lar among his fellows than rich men OF
his age usually are.
FOSTER COATES.