Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-04
Observation-Disclosures.
A Marriage Arranged Between MIR.
oliver II. T.. and Mrs. Alva'

.ated among the intimate lr1tnuS vi ui'
n. oh contracting parties"-to borrow
social expression from our Englisf
cousins.
II is probable that the wedding vii
AXE place within a few days, and i'm
mediately after the ceremony Mr.. ano
Mrs. Oliver Belmont will sail for Europe
Mrs. Alva Vanderbilt long since estab
Ished a decided and charming personality
n New York society. yet the history OF
ner social career, watch has been eAsei.--
d into volumes Of fiattery, would be IN
complete without mention OF those Truly
artistic and musical tastes which many
women consider too trivial for culti'd-
lion.
Placed in q position by her marriage 10
Mr. W *. Vanderbilt where money was
as dross Mrs. Vanderbilt demurrer 10
tho pjnnacle upon which fortune thrust
ner and busted herself TO see how riches
could be used 10 the best purpose ana
the cultivation of something higher imam
social display.
The friends Of her girlhood, when she
was plain Miss Alva Smith. "a pretty eiri
from New Orleans" were maze uodpiy
welcome to her fine. new SURROUNDINGS
She became an intelligent worker anu
.lberal dispenser among the many ohail
ties which appeal TO the syhpa'h-lie
heart and for herself she found ample
lime and opportunity for study and N
gest.gation
AESTHETIC TASTES.
Since 1t is a natural part of Tie pro
sramme of the American millionaire IL
Guild for himself great houses, 10 "cdnire
Inc furniture. pictures. bric-a-brac, horses .
nd carriages. Mrs. Vanderbilt devo'eu
time and talent 10 the requirement
these accessories to wealth.
II was under her personal supervision
that the houses in New York and New
port were built and furnished. The late
Richard NJ. Hunt paid Mrs. Alva van
derbilt the great compliment OF saying
that in all his career as an architect ne
had never met a woman with more
thorough and consistent taste and Know
ledge of art No one who has had the
pleasure of studying the interiors OF the
houses built and furnished under Mrs
Vanderbilts supervision can doubt inc
accuracy of such an opinion.
Once housed in manner consistent
with her wealth. Mrs. Vanderbilt looked
about for the most delightful means OF
entertaining her friends, both old ana
new, but the OH dl"dSS COhSlucir" IA
She was the first woman in New York
to introduce a famous orchestra into her
house and give private concerts such as
were only attempted by musical societies
in great public halls.
Then followed her celebrated fancy
ball, than which nothing more splendid
ly conceived and carried out had ever
been given or attempted in New York.
When Marble House, in Newport.
was first suggested, Mrs. Vanderbilt
went abroad to study and plan for its
erection. and to collect furniture. hang
'ngs, and objets dart TO harmonic
with her design for a complete Louis
XIV. chateau.
1t was her mother wit that obtained
Of designs and models from
the French Government which had never
been granted before. 1t was she who
guided and directed the architects hand
in every move toward the complete en-
OF what has been called the
modest temple to art in America"
In the mean time this busy woman
found IL possible 20 perfect her know
ledge of horseiesh and TO become n per-
feet whip so that her horses and car
riares, especially when driven by her
self. have been remarkable in Europe
and America.
HER DAUGHTERS WEDDING.
Upon the education of her only daugh
ter. Miss Consuela, Mrs. Vanderbilt
lavished the greatest care. As the
daughter grew up well versed in the ac-
and possessed OF many OF
the charming traits of the mother, II
became necessary to think Of selecting
a sutton for her hand.
There were many Of all kinds and
characters. They were allowed to come
and so freely, the mother only taking
upon herself the right Of supervision and
advice.
The young Duke of Marlborough came
among others, saw, and was conquered.
II has been said that this marriage was
arranged by astute lawyers and design
ing relatives. on the contrary. II was
pure and simple. fostered,
and encouraged by simple means, and II
there was money on the one side, and
high rank on the other. they only made
the mutual admiration socially the more
agreeable to the mother.
The story Of the wedding is too recent
TO need mention. Every detail or, per
haps, the most elaborate and beautiful
ceremony ever celebrated IN
New York was arranged and carried out
to perfection by Mrs. Vanderbilt alone.
The loss Of the only daughter was com
in a measure by the devotion
to the mother OF her two boys, william
X, Jr., and Harod-the elder a bie,
sturdy, schoolboy, now thinking of col
ege: the younger Harold, dear, little
chap too big for nurse, but noe yet
big enough for tutor.
1t is into this family that Mr.. Oliver IL.
2. Belmont has earned tn right or way
fr 81 A-f 90 no Ifksinar
of that famous politician. financier, and
man OF the world. the late August Bel
mont. He is named for his great-uncle,
Oliver Hazard Perry, the
hero Of Lake Erie.
Oliver IL. l.. Belmont, like his brothers
Perry and August. is imbued with all the
strong traits of character or the Belmonts
and Perrys-determination, aggressive
ness, love OF adventure, patriotism, a
keen sense Of right and wrong. whether
political or social, and a happy faculty
of expressing a comprehensive opinion.
He adopted the sea as a profession
was educated at Annapolis and served
ong enough to discover that he might
be an old man before obtaining command
IF a ship.
His love of adventure caused him 10
-esign. Then followed his marriage 20
Miss Sarah Whiting. Subsequently, long
series of travel and adventure kept Mr.
belmont on the 20 until there are few
portions OF the habitable globe which he
las not visited and exploited.
Mr.. Belmont, like all otnrr members OF
lis family. has developed strong and de-
,ided tastes. Perry acquired fame in poll
les, and became dil'ttante in literature
md art. August took 10 banking, ana
devoted his leisure time to a great racing
itud. while Oliver, when not on jour
icy. gave his attention 10 driving ana
he collection OF one of the best stables
If carriage horses In the world.
Moreover, many curious and rare
peclmens OF wild animals have from
line to time been brought nome by him
rom foreign parts. dnttil his menagerie