The advocate., 1895-09-18
SOCIAL CONTRASTS.
Which We Are Trying to Wipe Out Of Ex-
istence.
LOoK AT THIs PICTURE.

were swung wide open for society. II
Was the grand ball, long looked for and
long In preparation, given by Mrs. Alva
Vanderbilt in honor Of her daughter
Miss Consuelo Vanderbilt, runors OF
whose engagement to the Duke of Marl-
: borough have long been current. In
every respect the event outshone any
similar junction that Newport has
known 1t is reported to have cost
scores Of thousands Of dollars. The
9avors alone are known to have cost
$4,000. They were made In Paris especi-
ally for this occasion. They consisted Of
silk and satin sachet bags, long, wide
ribbon sashes, hand painted; crystal
hand glasses, large oars with solid silver
blades, books. and bagpipes as played
by French peasants. They were hang
ing on the silken screen In the gilt draw
ing room, and made a pretty picture.
The grand staircase Is a wonderful
piece OF architecture and decoration. At
IT'S very top are medallion heads Of
Mansel. one Of the fathers Of architec-
ture and Of the late Richard M. Hunt,
who designed the structure. Marbles
OF various kinds, onyx and precious
stones are used in the staircase, and It Is
particularly resplendent under a blaze
Of electric lights tonight All were at
tracted to the Gothic room, leading
OFF from the drawing room where, in
full view, was the famous Gavit collec-
tion of fifteenth century stones and jew
els There was no attempt at extensive
floral decorations here, for the per-
manent appointments are so beautiful
that 1t would be a. question even II
flowers could add to the effect. In the
large hallway, near the grand staircase,
at the south side of the hall Is a large
bronze drinking fountain, surrounded
with an immense beveled plate glass
mirror. With the purpose of making
that spot cool and inviting. the basin
was filed In with water plants In
full flower. The tall Lotos of the Nile
stood up above the score or more of pink
and white nymphal blossoms and the
delicate flowers of mass of hyacinth
Among the flowers were tiny fairy
lamps, while all around appeared to
swarm flock of humming birds. At
one side of the mirror was a group OF
pale pink hollyhocks, standing fifteen
feet high, and seemingly hovering
Ground the open flowers Were butter
files and bees, which had been imported
for the occasion. They were very natur-
al and lifelike.
For the supper, which was served
upon thlrty-five small tables. additional
room was provided in the inclosure of
~ ~ 81 A. 80 ~
mansion That improvised dining hall
was most deliberately decorated with
strands OF rich green garlands, radiat-
ing from three central points on the cell
. ing, which were accentuated by three
huge prisms or bright yellow flowers.
This divided the ceiling into three parts,
one, In the center, being oval, and the
n other two round. The garlands were
continued along the frieze, meeting at
Intervals wide bands of flowers, which
ran from floor to ceiling on the sides OF
the light pasageways leading to the
\ house proper. Single palms lined the
sides, and groups OF tree ferns with
orchid plants In flower filed In the cor
ners. Each Of the supper tables held q
wreath OF pink hollyhock flowers tied
with pink ribbons.
The veranda reserved for promenad.
ing was decorated with green bay trees
In pyramid forms Down on the terrace
and lawns were groups of huge satina
palms. all lighted with the colored
butterfly and fairy lamus. OF those
large herioc palms Mrs. Vanderbilt had
the choice of scores for this occasion.
The fairy lamps were very dainty and,
like many paper lanterns used in ex-
terior Illumination, were Of pearly white,
To harmonic with the marble Of the
villa. These lamps glistened on almost
every tree branch.
Mrs. Vanderbilt wore her smartest