The Jersey City news., 1898-07-14
MRS. HOBART AS HOSTESS
Her Hospitality Only Equal
ed by Her Manner Of
Dispensing It.
HOW SHE ENTERTAINs
Notable Success the Vice
Presidents Wife Has
Achieved.
HOW SHE ENTERTAINs

her ability TO meet the difficult require
ments of her position in social and official
life, says the Washington correspondent
of the Philadelphia Enquirer Mrs. Ho-
bart has won popularity apparently with
out an effort; hers is one Of those rare
personalities that commands 1t, from
every one, her genuine and cordial man
ner and her genial and kindly disposition
having always endeared her to those
around her.
Mrs. Hobart has been greatly admired
in Washington; from the very first she
sought to please every one, without the
fear that so many wives of prominent
officials seem to labor under, that they
will not be accorded all possible honors
due them
Before marriage Mrs Hobart was Jen-
ME Tuttle, strikingly beautiful girl who
has developed into a handsome matron
with a superb and graceful bearing. Her
father was a well-known lawyer, with
whom Mr.. Hobart pursued his study in
his profession. Their marriage took place
in 1869, and their beautiful daughter. Fan
ME. who died in Italy nearly three years
ago, and young Garret. Jr., fne-looking
lad of thirteen, were children of this
union.
The Vice President and Mrs. Hobart
have welcomed to their home in truly
hospitable fashion most of the prominent
officials who figure in national society, as
well as the notable dignitaries who were
guests of the nation.
When the Hobarts first came to Wash
ington they were established at one of the
leading hotels, and passed many discour-
aging and at the same time amusing hours
in tho search of a pleasant and suitable
home. While the Vice President is "A very
generous man, he decided that he would
not establish his family in a home the rent
of which would exceed his salary, $780,
as Vice President, and it was with some
difficulty that house meeting the require
ments was finally found.
Ex-senator Donald Cameron's term of
office had expired and the Pennsylvania
Senator and his wife determined to leave
Washington for extensive travels, and ac-
cordingly their residence, one Of the most
beautiful and picturesque homes of the
National capital, was leased to the Vice
President and Mrs. Hobart.
The house was built by the father of the
present Lady Beresford formerly Lillian,
Duchess of Marlborough, and it was there
that the famous American beauty first
saw the light of day.
The old-fashioned brick structure paint
ed a delicate cream color is very deceptive
from the street, and is, in spite of appear
ance spacious and commodious. The base
ment is devoted to the office of the Vice
President, library and exquisitely fur
nished reception room, with an immense
brick fireplace, before which the family
take especial comfort during the buster
ing days of winter.
On the floor above are the drawing
rooms and dining-room, and the two up
per floors are devoted to the bed cham
bers, which are eurtained with delicate
Swiss, and furnished in the most artistic
manner.
1t is said that from November until May
the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart could
count upon their fingers the dinners they
were permitted to enjoy at home, SO ex-
tensive had been the list of splendid din
ners given in their honor, many of these
rivaling In elaborate appointments any
similar occasions ever given in Washing
ton.
Mrs. Hobart's favorite color is pink, and
ceedingly fine, and the setting of the
State feasts at the home of the Vice Pres
ident have been especially beautiful and
artistic; the Royal Vienna which adorns
their table is said to be the most costly
variety in this country.
Mrs. Hobart's favorite color is pink and
blossoms of this shade usually deck the
table upon State occasions
The wife of the Vice-President is still
in second mourning owing to the death
of her daughter, and her toilettes, which
are marvelously beautiful and graceful,
are of white and black. delicate gray or
purple and heliotrope; her evening toilets
are generally of white corded silks, with
striking effects in the trimming of jet or
black thread lace, or of the softest gray,
especially becoming to Mrs. Hobart whose
gray hair is one of her chief beauties.
Mrs Hobart is the tallest lady in the Cab
met circle and always conspicuous
figure at the brilliant receptions at the
White House. When she stands in line
she has cordial greeting for each pass
ing friend.
By far the most notable occasion given
by the vice-President and Mrs Hobart
was the dinner in honor of Prince Albert
of Belgium during the time he was the
guest Of the nation at Washington. The
Hobart home was made very attractive
by quantity of beautiful flowers and
garlands and blending of the flags and
banners and coats-of-arms of America
and Belgium, with a charming effect in
electric lights. Everything was carried
out on a magnificent scale. 1t was the
purpose of the yice-President and Mrs.
Hobart to give the Prince, to whom every
one was fowing and scraping, pure
manly" American entertainment, and it
was carried out to the letter. Invited to
meet the Prince at the dinner which pre-
ceded the reception were the foreign Am
bassadors and a number of beautiful
American girls. The menu consisted of
American dishes. including ham. and sim
ilar .delieacies
At the reception which followed a sur
prise was in store for his Royal Highness,
for he was not Theoretically sealed In a
room especially set apart for him, where
he met only chosen few, as was the case
at the reception given in his honor by the
Belgian Minister and Countess de Litchter-
yelde. but instead he was asked to receive
with the host and hostess and welcomed
each and every guest In true American
fashion, for The President had said,
prince or no Prince, he should expect
his guest to greet every guest invited to
meet him