New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-23
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT NEWPORT.
MRS sTUYvEsANT FISH MAKES CRosEwAYs
RESEMBLE A RHODE ISLAND FARM.
LBv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Newport. R /. Aug 2.-One Of the most original
and picturesque social entertainments given In
Newport this season that Of Mrs 5tuyvesant
Fish tonight at Crossways her new villa in the
Ocean Drive II called a Harvest Festival"
and was made 10 resemble as nearly as possible
only on a more magnificent scale, country gather
ing At Roseclin Mrs. Hermann Oelrtchs enter
tanned a. dinner 112 guests 50 in evening dress In
the centre of the great hall larger table, for
sixteen couples IN peasants dress. who were TO
figure prominently later the Ftsh dance.
At midnight the Oelrichs dinner party was driven
in automobiles and other traps 20 Crossways, each
Of the guests in costume, bearing as gift a do
nestle animal such pigs ducks geese chickens
or cats The whole place had been transformed
into q country farm. Outside, along the stone walls
and flower beds were masses OF wild howersi sur
mounting the massive stone posts OF the gateway
were huge jack O. lanterns. pumpkins each about
twelve feet in circumference and weighing not far
from eighty pounds. Illuminated by calcium lights
within High arches Of lanterns we're placed along
the driveway intervals OF SIX feet, making
canopy of light to the porte-cochere. Amid the
trees shrubbery and rocks shone tiny electric
lights. like hrefies The outlines Of the house and
Of the stable also picked out with lights The
lawn had been transformed into harvest field
sheaves OF wheat standing all about, while at one
side stood two large haystacks and three yoke OF
oxen quietly grazing
Tall sheaves of wheat and corn lined the ports
cochere while the entrance way was rwer OF
and wheat Win cato -nlne-tdllS nall
way was watnscoted seven feet deep with wheat
dotted with clusters Of sunhowers and peoples
which were panels OF agricultural implements
vegetables and fruits At intervals stood large
sheaves of corn and wheat straw. tied with wide
red ribbons and filed with peoples. In the drawing
IT.
peasants, the decoration were Of palms. garden
field flowers. peoples and corn flowers.
Supper served for most OF the guests IN the
dining room, small tables The thirty two peas
seated al a long table on the east piazza
which had been transformed into a grape arbor
with viuEs in fun fruit The centrepieces Of this
table piled high with fruits and vegetables,
and the cloth, which made OF potato bags
squash. pumpkin and other vegetable vines:
Some the We're served in dishes followed
from squashes the guests were seated on common
board benches. The other tables were all set out
with appropriate devices.
Mrs Fish received her guests seated upon dais
made Of ploughS pers and other farming tmpie
menUs. The thirty-two peasants approached with
ceremony and deposited their gifts OF animals
signal for the dance. For the two quadriIes OF
sixteen each the participants were atJlred IN the
Drettiest of the peasant costumes OF Europe. the
women in short skirts bouses and large head bows
peaked hats. Mrs. Oliver H P. Belmont was IN
charge Of one Of the quadrilles and Mrs Hermann
Oelrichs Of the other, having as partners Harry
Lehr and Elisha Dyer IT.
dance Mr. Belmont, Mr. Dyer, Mr.. OeIrtcns
Mr. and Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt William K
Vanderbilt tr Miss Nav GOelet. Miss jay, Mrs
T,adenburg and W q. Max-Muller and Herman
tended through the drawing room hal! ana dlnlns
room The favnrs brought IN IN golden
wheelbarrow and included hayrakes, forks, scythes
baskets Of flowers and growing plants. oouton-
sickles water pots. reaping machines and culri-
vators.