The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-14
LUXURY'SLAST WORDINHOMES
MODES OF LIVING POSSIBLE TO
THE RICH ~ NEW YORk.
Private Houses That May Cost s8. OOO. OsO
State Apartments In Hotels ~ ~ 900
Week-Other Apartments At From
a3,OOO to 12O,OOO Year.

"
in gold and silver and copper and iron;
in miracles Of the dyer's art and the weavers
skill; somewhat also with the help Of sun
lii airy spaces, for unhind ered sunshine
within city gates is golden in more senses
than one. Where every extra foot of
site space stands for many good hard dol
lars, even multi-millionaires may well think
twice over the securing Of elbow room,
let alone ample prospects.
Notwithstanding. some of them secure
such prospects. In proof one has but 10
walk lcisurcy through the fashionable
district Of New York.
Even the severe lines uf f,fih avenue.
especially in its upper reaches, are now and
then broken by who'esom" fripparies of
green open spaces, jealousy walled and
sparingly planted. But it il on Rversid"
Drive and thereabo that one secs them n
their highest.
Fancy house standing upon a boldly
swelling corner where a crossway makes
into the drive proper. 1t is tall, il IL wide,
1t is big everywhere. but 80 fine in line and
proportion that IL takes study to realize
the mass Of il. Strong hu; light and beau
tifully wrought iron grillwork guards the
open space round about.
Broad, easy marble steps 20 up the ramp.
leading TO a pllared entrance Behind
the pillars one catches the cleaning OF
bronze doors cunningly wrought.
They open upon great hall, tioored with
the costliest mosaic and SET round with
antique columns. The big fireplace has a
inantel. also antique, plundered from a
ruined palace across the sea
The prpa. stairway paina from apo. ber
palace, but somehow the architect has man
aged it 80 the two shall not war with each
other. Perhaps they dare not quarrel in
presence Of the rugs which lie between.
Some Of the rugs are three hundred years
old and simply priceless Eastern fabrics
without a duplicate anywhere in the world
They set the pace in furnishing all else is
in keeping.
Each Of the five occupants of the house
has separate suite bath, bedchamber
sitting-room, dressing-room and snuggery,
for playing at work. or working at special
play. Some Of the ba tbs have tubs with
silyer-gllt fittings: others have marble pools
big enough to swim in, with marble divans
running round the edges of the room. There
bathers can lie at ease, smoking, gossipng.
drinking black coffee. after they have done
with the plunge and the needle spray and
the skilled kneading Of the masseur.
The dressing rooms are all in silver, silver
gilt and rare odorous woods each SO trea ed
as TO bring out every detail of its natural
beauty. Cedar, camphor, sandal-cach and
all are proservative. The clothes-presses
have drawers of camphor wood, and the
closets are supplied with electric lights
automatically turned on by the opening Of
q door
There IL also, of course. a library, din
ing room. breakfast room, drawing
room, and a cosey parlor, but no ball room.
for tho master Of all this is austere. Still,
austerity does not forbid billiard room,
nor a music room, richly harmonious,
whose frescoed ceiling alone represents
tidy fortune.
Every manner Of musical instrument
sanctioned by classic taste harbors there,
along with the objects of art. pictures.
bronzes. engraved gems and antique gold
plate, whose cost would endow hospital
There is d small conservatory whose flow
ers appear shamefaced, as though they
felt themselves somewhat put out ~ court
by the bronze and jewel-slass inclosinG
them.
Tho building is about an open court
glass-roofed in winter II has besides the
great state stairway. back stairs and two
electric elevators-one for the master, on"
for the servants
In the basement there is a complete
electric plant for lighting, laundry work,
some special cooking. and the rccharging
Of automobile batteries There is also an
automobile room, big enough to hold n
dozen machines. |, is below the street
level, and the Ray-colored monsters ride
up and down upon a special lift all their
own.
The big kitchen, which matche. and bal
ances, in a way. the electric plant. has n
cold-storaee chamber attached, and il
hoored with tiles. walled with Yi'riticd brick
and furnished throughout in real black
English oak The cooking rcsSel> are of
brass copper, silver or Vi'rifed china
10 make use of them there are chef
whose salary approaches that OF n diplomat.
two masculine under-cook~- one especially
for bread and pastry-a woman vegetable
cook kitchen housekeeper, and brace
of scullcry maids.
Altogether the number Of servants il
between thirty and forty, without count
ing the companion, two private secretaries.
and the almoncr. who dispon."s charity
and investigates such appeals for aid n are
not upon the SURFACE fraudnlrnl. The
electric engineer lives outside. although
his helper is rcckoncd amoHg the household
staff
This l. the mcrcst outline Of few salient
points. The house, with it, furnishings,
represents an investment of a little beyond
three million dollars
That i, far less wonderful than that il il
hardly exceptional. II il merely a con-
spicuo,IS type among the palaces built for
the modern Captains of Industry There
are finer ones, and very much costlirr, where
the owners are connoss"ur- with a weak
ness for collecting arr objects of fabulous
cost. These collectors often store within
single room ar, riches surprising a kings
ransom
Possibly the owner OF millions prcfors
10 display them mainly in great country
estate. Then for his scant city sojourns
he wants only what the French happily
call foot Of earth, a place whore he can
rest and poisc himself between hiRhts
IL must be luxurious, Of course; even in
camps and lodges, so called there is a pal
pable trail Of gold dust over everything
He has choice between several excellent
things all warranted costly enough, vet
not cntailing too great burdens.
He may establish himself ut one Of the
great hotels built; a., somebody has said 10
provide exclusiveness for the masses" Or
he may set up hi foot oil earth IN an apart
ment hotel or, if he IL " Hing u go Ia the
level of mere millionaircs, he may live under