The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-12
THE PASSING OF HOBART.
DESCRIPTION OF HIS ELABORATE
ENTERTAINMENTS.

The Diplomats Back in Washington.
Some Gossip About Their Affairs.
Admiral Dewey and His Bride.
Their Courtship and Their Home.
Cost of Living at the National Cap
itaI-Other Matters of Special In
ferest.
Washington. Nov. 11.-"How blessings
brighten as they take their fightr' The
knowledge that the Hobarts will return
no more In official capacity, has brought
40 the social world of Washington a real
szation Of the fact that as splendid enter
tanners. they were beyond the average of
vice presidential families. The public ac-
cepted the sumptuous generosity of their
regime, while 1t lasted, as rather a mat
Ter of course; but with its ending comes a
fulled appreciation of its really unusual
character. To-day Mr.. Hobart's estate
though ample for the family support Is
lessened by several hundred thousand dol
lars, on account Of his brief career as the
Presidents "silent partner" When Mr.
Hobart first came to Washington, he
frankly told his friends that while he did
not expect TO live within his official in
come. he did not intend TO hand over half
of 1t for house-rent. As everybody knows,
living expenses in the national capital
are greater than anywhere else in the
United States. 1t is by no means uncom-
mon for families in high position, who ex-
pect to entertain on gorgeous scale to
pay as high as six, eight even ten thous-
and dollars per annum for the hire of a
large house. fully furnished, in fashion
able locality. In certain well known cases,
$3.50 per month has been paddy the
late Cornelius Vanderbilt for example,
who passed his last two winters in Wash
ington. The Hobarts spent their first
month here, while house-hunting in the
Arlington Hotel; and that experience, in
one of the most expensive hostelries in
the world with the suites of rooms and ex-
ira service required by the second official
of the nation, cost them a good deal more
than several years better living I'm the
home city. Then they leased the old Cam
eron mansion, on Lafayette Square, with
in stones throw of the White House;
and from first to last were delighted with
their choice. The former home of eX-Sen-
ator and Mrs. Don Cameron has long
been famous as the most brilliant social
center Of the capital; and the lustre of its
reputation has not been dimmed under
the gracious sway of the Hobarts. When
the McKinleys first came in, it was pre-
dicted that the delicate health of the
First Lady" would curtan If not wholly
prevent, the customary social gaiues OF
the White House, and there was sadness
in the younger circles Of society, as well
as in the ranks OF the fashionable danes
whose browning glory is their clothes
who spend their summers and their hus-
bands dollars In Europe, collecting mar
Vicious creations" with which TO dazzle
the winter world of Washington. Happily
those gloomy forebodings were not fulfill
cd, for Notwithstanding Mrs Mckinley $
feebleness the administration has so far
been as socially brilliant as any on record
And this was largely due 10 Mrs. Hobart
on whom the Presidents frail wife leaned
and who always filed the social breach ia
absolute perfection.
Inc Cameron mansion-now known as
The Cream-White House"-with its enor-
nous rooms, wide old-fashloned halls and
slalr-landings, is an ideal place for enter
faining all the world and his wife al once