The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-07-04

NEWPORT, R. l., July 3.-What is
undoubtedly the finest cottage the
world over is now the scene of many
festivities. 1t took three years of time
and $3,0000o0 in money to build this
cottage. The grounds around the cot
tage cost $1,25O,oO0. The furniture in
the cottage cost 81, geo, 600, making in
all IS. 100000. This is the sum of money
which Cornelius Vanderbilt has tied
up in his Newport place. He speaks
of it as his Newport cottage. Next to
his New York home and the vast pal
ace Of his brother George, in North
Carolina, it is the finest residence in
the land.
1.-The Breakers for that is the name
of this cottage, was only opened at
the fag end of the Newport season
last year. Many people in the Wander
bilt set failed to see it. This season
an opportunity will be given to all of
those. in the inner circle of swelldom
and to those who are hanging on by
the outer fringe to marvel at it's love-
illness. The engagement of Miss Ger
trude Vanderbilt to Harry Payne
Whitney will supply the motive for a
series of entertainments which viii be
dS anu 81 llO11ON anu Oullu4Cu LcobC
can make them The alliance between
young Cornelius Vanderbilt and Miss
Grace Wilson will not disturb the social
plans of the family, no matter how
distasteful it may be to them.
Locally the site Of The Breakers
is known as "Millionaire's Point" be-
cause of the great cluster Of rich mems
palaces in that neighborhood. Speak
ing by the map the house is located
at Ochre Point. Here the land juts
far out into the ocean, and offers a.
commanding view of the far-famed
Newport Cliffs Here the rocks rise
almost perpendicular from the sea to
a height of nearly fifty feet, and offer
stubborn resistance to the surging
waves that break against their base.
Along the top of the cliff runs the
cliff walk" which has been kept open
to the public, so that even the poorest
may stroll along the carefully kept
walk and admire the stately grandeur
Of the palatial residences that front
tho sea.
The Breakers stands out alone
upon the rocky promontory and is the
first structure to meet the eye of the
sight-seer. Near it are the summer
homes of Robert Goelet. Louis Loril
ard and Ogden Goelet.
THE ENTRANCE.
The entrance to the Vanderbilt pal
ace is from Ochre Point, one which
ends at the ocean. A dense hedge
lines both sides of the avenue, so that
one does not perceive the beauty of the
grounds within until he has reached
the terminus. The Breakers at pres
ent is entirely open to view, as the
small shrubs and plants, which have
been arranged tastefully in the spac-
ious grounds between the cliff walk
and the house, have not had time to
produce the same shielding foliage that
the trees in the adjoining grounds
have.
No attempt has been made by Mr..
Vanderbilt TO shut himself up in Sc
clusion by the erection of high fences
or walls Everything has been planned
to please the most aesthetic taste, and
yet left entirely open so that it may
be enjoyed by all.
A POEM IN STONE.
1.-The Breakers" in general outline
IS huge square structure. with
Dutch tile oof, but the skill of the
modern architect has been displayed
in breaking the heavy solid appear
ance in many unique ways The pre-
vailing style of architecture is the
French Renaissance, but the Corin
THAN column is used in several places
with telling effect
The house is four stories high, and
while the main entrance looks out TO
sea, there is another entrance which
is reached from Ochre Point avenue.
A gracefully curved driveway leads
from the avenue to the north side OF
the house, passing under an imposing
por-te-cochere, from which wide stone
stems lead I'D to the spacious doors.
The columns that support the porte
cochere are sandstone. The whole ex
terror is beautifully carved and con-
tains the date of erection in Roman
characters and the initials c. V. in the
form of a monogram. The vaulted in
terror of the porte-2ochere contains nu-
merous electric lights.
The square appearance of the west
end has been artistically broken by a
semi-circular portico, supported by
fiuted columns.
Beginning at the northwest corner
of the house, a stone balustrade runs
around in a. serni-circle, inclosing the
lawn. which is terraced on this side,
and. finally, extending to the south
west corner of the house. The inclosed
ground is laid out in flower beds and
gravelled walks.
THE MAGNIFICENT STAIRWAY.
The south side of the house looks
toward the sea, and on this side is the
most imposing entrance. A double
stairway of stone leads from the log
gia and gracefully widens out until it
reaches the lawn. This stairway is,
perhaps, The most beautiful outside
feature of the house. Above the spa
cious liggia is an open portico. sup