The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
SOCIETY AT NEWPORT.
Mre. Cornelius Vanderbilt Lets Down Shakespeare and Takes Up Comic Opera-New Engagements
BY DIEDRlcH KNIckERBockER.


 Newport Aug 2S.-Of course the talk of the hour concerns her grace-the little Duchess of Marlborough. It is the first time she has visited her American reia- tives since she has become a British matron. From the girl has developed a charming woman. Of course she is the Hon. Oliver Belmont poses as a sort of left hand father and Mrs. Oliver Bel mont as the happy and delighted mother. But Consuelo is Vanderbilt and she Is proud of 1t. Consequently curious so- cial domestic situation presents Itself. Newport air is subject to two influences, fog and Vanderbilt airs. cannot tell at this moment how 1t will work out The balm of Gnead is not spread over the Vanderbilt wounds and Mrs. Oliver Bel. mont gave the Vanderbilts a grievous would Mrs. Belmont will give ball at Bellcourt. She entertains delightfully."-. But the ghost walks.
 We arc all waiting for the grand event of the season. Mrs. Cornelius Wander biit's lat home' on the 18th. Instead of a performance by amateurs, we are to have an out and out professional show. This sounds all very nice and well plann- ed, but 1t Is not what was intended Grace originally planned an afternoon affair on the lawn at Beauiieu, "As You Like It. was to have been the attrac- tion, with Cynthia Roche in doublet and hose as Rosalind. The foresters were to have been society girls in big boots, trunks and doublets. The idea was to | at Castle Point, where the performance was Rose Coglan and other professional girls. Fear of idle talk and criticism of Miss Roches Understanding forced the change. Some ma irons would have played the role, but it was feared they were a little too heavy. As 1t is a comic opera ccmpany-The Wild Rose-will be commanded to come to Beauiieu. After the show, supper will be served at small tables, so taking it all in all, look for ward to pleasant evening.
 
 Last night Mrs. "Spectacuiar" Fish gave her friends a treat-a Colonial Fish ball. Some of the men complimented the hostess, by, fgurately speaking, laying their moustaches at her feet. This means they appeared with shaven lips. It was a beautiful affair and. of course, suc- cessful Mrs. Fish tried 70 get Prince Chen and Minister Wu to visit her, but the willy Orientals pleaded engagements.
  The tennis tournament began Wednes- day. Interest in the tournament waxes with the coming visit of the English players, especially as the championship of the United States has to be decided. The demand for reserved places is great CT than ever before, and, weather con- ditions being favorable, the dress parade will constitute formidable, rival to the sporting side of the contest. At no time do the women of Newport appear to bet ter advantage than during the days of the tournament. We expect the Duchess of Marlborough to be in daily attendance before the close.
 There is a galaxy of entertainers at present in Newport, and scarcely a din- ner or luncheon is given without music of some sort. At present there seems to be none but men in the field. The latest acquisition is Herr Borgea Oumirroff, a Bohemian barytone who brought here many letters of introduction. His first Newport appearance was made after Miss Leary's luncheon for Mrs. John Sloane, last Tuesday. He plays his own accompaniments. Others in the field are MT. Guardabassi, barytone. MT. Heathe Gregory, basso; MT. Zoldy violin. and Mir. Burton, tenor. Miss Marguerite Lemon and Mrs Seabury Ford are the only representatives of the fair sex to sing thus far. Another decided favorite is the wonderful slight of hand perform CT. Malini, whose card tricks have misti- fled all.
 There have been few very important engagements announced. Every one Is waiting for Mrs. Dwyer to say that her daughter Is to marry Baron Morogues. who is here and at Newport It is the general impression that this will make a match. In the meantime Elisha Dwyer has been buying a very fine house on Fifty-sixth street, and should there be a wedding this will be an excellent place from which to hold the reception. Per haps Miss Van Allen and Robert Reming- ton will marry in September. There has been no change of their plans, but the people seem to be uneasy about them There is some divorcing. also, and this is disagreeable. The only two suits which have been absolutely instituted are those of Mrs. Hollis Hunnewell | against her husband, and of the wife of | Elliott F. Shepard against that young | gentleman. He Is seven years younger | than she. and has just passed his ma jority. He has been quite a wild boy. | But 1t Is said that he intends to settle | down. There will probably be no de- fence to the suit, and he will find himself free one day just was young Cutting from his marriage with Minnie Selig- man. Of course, he will not be able to marry in this state. But that is a mere trihe- Alfred Vanderbilt has started a great vogue of polo and 1t has been played all the week at Narragansett, as well as at Newport, and there was a match at the latter place vest erday. The crack teams are at Saratoga. The Goulds. however, are on the coast, living in their yacht the Sybarita. They are anchored in New port harbor George Gould and his sons will take part in some of the Newport games. August Belmont and his sons are at Saratoga.
 The hold that racing has taken on so- ciety has greatly interfered with us. Whitney has made Saratoga so attrac- tive that a large element mas made the springs unusually brilliant. Think of Mrs Astor, our own crowned society queen, having to change a date because a race day interferes. Such is the fact, however. Out of consideration for the racing men,, Mrs. Astor has advanced the date of her ball to August 2s, so that en- thusiasts here can go on for the Futurity race, to be run on August 30 Otherwise there might be lack of men and wo- men, too. Miss Lurl,ne spreckleis of San Francis co is the latest acquisition to the belles