Evening journal., 1895-01-18
rhe Homo u the Rleh

Very few OF the sixty Eve millions Of
people in the United States realize the
palatial splendor and msgnihcencs Of the
homes Of the wealthy in the great cities
Of this country. Entire Nous, has given
in the Boston Herald an interesting
article on this subject that will surprise
many people. The luxury which exists
in these homes is far beyond that en-.
joyed by many royal families In the
world aud we judge surpassed by none
During the past week two Of these
private palaces have been opened In New
York and an authority says that Cornelius
vanderbilt's house has been duly chris
tened By the debut Of his elder daughter
and the Elbridge Gerry mansion, that
scene second to no other in that city Of
palaces, Aad house-warming that was
felt even over In cold little Boston. These
new residences, which represent several
millions of dollars from gross money
point Of view, fairly illustrate the latest
American ideas Of luxury and It would
be singular il on-lookers did not cFiticise
the visible results, and wonder about the
effect they must have on the future,
The Vanderbilt palace Is 50 overpower
ing with its display, it IS SO loudly
elegant that the spectator Is surfeited
and at loss to appreciate al the art
which has been lavished without sliut
Finite man soon wesries Of this modern
splendor; It bears the Impress ofsueh
great wealth that the charm OF dear
acquisition is neutralizsd.
One feature Of the Gerry mansion IL
the absence Of visible staircases; they
exist, but ale shut from view, and the
transportation OF the inmates aud
the guests Of the other night
was made by means Of an orna
mented elevator. This Is decided in
novatIon, If not concession TO Americas
lszness, and It robs the house Of one Of
the most firtatlous attractions, accord
ing TO every young woman who likes
now and then, TO sit out dance on thu
stairs In family with marrageabls
daughters this Is one error in worldly
Judgment, II not ia domestic srohitee-
ture. It Is true there are enough and 70
spare Of cosy hooks In this splendid
abode, but il Is also true that it will b.
bold man who daTes ask girl to leave
II for $4,000 howell oH Fifth avenue,
with a 6ne staircase thown In
Speaking Of these royal domiclles, q
vision Of Boston's humble homes Of
wealth arises, and oDe asks u the paueity
OF private bathrooms there Is net grea'
advantage There may b. two Of thes'
festive apartments within the city limits
Think OF It. And even then they arr
known as music rooms because rich
conservative Bostonians are content Il
hide their lights under bushels
A number OF years ago a we'll know
fnaneier and plunger built a house o.
the water side Of Beacon street. Il wa
mere hy speck compared with thes
later New York residences. but It wa
spoken OF with awe. for the reason tha
it contained ballroom and servant
ball Money was lavished on it's decora
tion and furnishing, but before tn
glory Of that ballroom could be reache
smash the curtain fell and for sewers
years It enveloped the hsndsomes
private residence In town
Now club enjoys itself in thos
spacious rooms and Boston's represents
tive millionaire mansion ovsrlooks II
lovely public garden without maxim
any fuss over its interior elegance
Apparently iu is not Boston's soci
ambition to possess bathrooms II
sufficient to have white and gol
music room tucked away at the rear
the drawing room or some modest lit
hall like that ia Mrs Jack" 6 GArdner'
Beacon street house, where sms
musicales can be givel by very grea
artists Musical people affect mus
rooms, but they are quite content to civ
their dancing parties at Pierce Hall, al
call It even with any Plutus in 81
country.