The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-09
WHAT rs GOING ON IN soC1Err.

AliNo NhVhA Wv ~ " 'i''hN wv
of the Steeplcchase Association. Tho wind that
blew over Long Islands plains on that occasion
was as savage and unrelenting as the northcr
that assailed spectators of the Grant parade.
Two very good things wero spoiled by tho
treachery Of the weather, and plucky as they all
were. tho ladies on top Of the four-in'hands and
the men who turned out in every variety OF Omen
trap could hardly be said to have enjoyed them.
selves at the hurdle races. The meeting WINS in.
tended to DO an opportunity for great social dis.
play, but II turned out to be only n refrlgcrating
process for tho acquisition Of coughs and colds.
II must DO acknowledged, however, that the dis
appointments of tho day wero amply atoncd for
by the lavish hospitality of the Mcadowbrook
colony, whose residences were open 10 al
strangers and sufferers. and by whom house
parties were entertained in princely style.
The hunting season being now ut an end,
polo and golf practice will give the members OF
the Hunt Club all that they want in the way Of
out-of-door sport. M~eadowbrook men take
certainly a broad view of their opportunities 10
promote athletic sport, and of their duty in rN-
tending 10 those outside OF their own orgnni-
cation the privileges that they themselves en-.
joy. Already by good care and n liberal outlay
their golf links are among tho best In the coun.
try. A comfortable clubhouse has been erected
on the grounds and the premises opened to tho
golhng fraternity generally upon payment of
suitable subscription. A tournament will bs
held at M~eadowbroo on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday of this week open to mcmbcrs Of REQ
ognized clubs and all players approved by Tho
committee. Meadowbrook thus becomes tho
home of hunting. polo and golf-an unusual
combination in this country-and to tho original
Meadowbrook Association must be given all
praise and credit for their able management Nc
well as for their generous outlay OF funds. The
ladies, too, of Meadowbrook who play no
eiUpi lcn pt mari in fhe outdoor md indoor liza
of tho club. can now, instead Of music" or
dancing, inscribe their cards of invitation 10
do the women in the hunting counties of Eng
land with the programme "horses.hockey.
hounds-high tea"
The accident to Mr.. Thomas Hitchcock. Jr., at
the polo game on Friday, on the M~eadowbrook
grounds, though not SO serious as many Of tho
newspapers the next morning made it to he, is
nevertheless sufficient to spoil his riding fOr
some weeks, il not months, to come.
The appalling calamity which has befallcn
Paris has been a topic of absorbing interest in
clubs and drawing rooms. Messages of inquiry
have been flying over the cables to rcassure
those who have relatives and friends on tho
other side, happily with favorable answers in
every instance. 1t is n marvel that just at this
season. when English and Americans on their re-
turn from the Riviera are filling every hotel in
Paris, that not one should be numbered in tho
sickening list of victims, while the flower of old
French society was swept away like chafr.
The fire epidemic seems to have seized upon
both continents of late. Three handsome gentle
mems country seats, stored with art treasures,
valuable family relics and furnishings, 10 say
nothing of jewels and clothing-thosc of Mr..
Dune an Elliott, at West Chester; Col. Tyler, at
New London, and the old Lathers mansion, now
owned by Col. c. II. Green, at New Rochelle
have been burned to the ground within a few
mpnths while the loss Of 1fo and prOperty In
more humble dwellings has been deplorable.
In consequence of having attained the
superior age OF 200 years, Trinity Church
has been u great central point OF interest
and observation during the week. Its COM
memorative celebration has been marked
by fine musical services, and a scale OF
ecclesiastical decoration in the interior of the old
church. which, with a limitless profusion Of
flowers, has attracted hundreds of sightseers.
For some reason best known TO themselves
and to the city authorities, who have made New
York SO strangely unlovely at the most charm.
ing season OF the year, the town is fast becoming
depopulated, and green blinds are obtruding
themselves upon stay-at-bomes at least three
weeks earlier than usual. Newport, LenoI,
and even Southampton, are preening and beau
tifying themselves for a long season of gayety
and success. The trees at Newport are nearly
in full leaf. lawns as verdant as in June, and
house owners and house hunters coming and
going every day. Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Payne
Whitney are already settled in their beautiful
new home, in which they show such delight
that even graybeards smile in sympathy.
The trio Of young matrons who were married
last summer in Newport, which includes, be-
sides Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. John Ellis Hoffman
and Mrs. Moses Taylor, ought to brighten ma
terially the social atmosphere this summer.
There is q rumor that Mr.. and Mrs. Ogden
Goelet may return in time to open their stately
Newport mansion, and give their young daugh.
ter a taste Of its summer life. but their visit
here two years ago was 80 disastrous that their
coming again is most uncertain. Should their
great chateau remain untenanted, the gigantic
Breakers be closed during the entire season,
Marble House left cold and desolate behind Its
iron gates, and Mr.. o. II. p. Belmont's pic
turesque domicile abandoned to its four-footcd
occupants. the beauty of Newport will be some
what marred by the absentees. But as nothing
is certain but the unexpected, it may be that all
these big houses will be blossoming like the rose
before September comes.
Lenox is always behind Newport in the
progress of its spring. but this year cottagcrs
have announced that they intend to go early.
whether natures beauties are unfoldcd or not.
Miss Cary and Miss Edith Rotch are already
settled in their summer home. Mr.. and Mrs.
W. d. Sloane will close their town house next
week. Mrs. Arson Phelps Stokes has taken tho
first steps toward opening her tive-acre mansion.
but it takes q long time TO sweep and garnish
such O mammoth place. Mr.. and Mrs. David
Lydig will also be among the early corners.
Lenox, as usual, will be largely patroniZed by
diplomats. They like its heightened simplicity
better than the rush OF Newport, and invariably
return In three days when they go TO make their
annual bow TO the great world by the sen. Baron
Thielman has already secured his cottage. md
others will be arriving from Washington when
the season closes there.
London is gathering In her clans for tho great
jubilee of the aged Queen. and there is no doubt
at all that Americans who are able to spend
the time and money will be repaid for their
outlay and trouble in getting there. Wild ru'
mors are afoat Of Mr.. Astor's intended hoSIi'
t~alities. Some persons say that he has taken
Lord Normanton's house. and others that he has