The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-10

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Newport, P 1, Aug, s-The dinner for
Miss Nelson on Thursday night. which was
given by her mother. Mrs. Frederick Neil
son. at the Casino. was one OF the most
elaborate Of the summer.
The party. composed Of ffty-two persons,
was one Of the largest ever gathered for
dinner in Newport. Moreover, the menu
was very elaborate and the general appoint
ments were superb.
The guests were seated at q horseshoe
shaped table, spread in the inClosed piazza.
connected with the Casino griIIoum. The
| apartment had been transformed for the oc-
casion into q most attractive dIuinS-hall,
ornamented with hanginEs Of deep red and
brilliant with electric light effects. and
roses arranged by Wadlsy & Smythe. The
draperies were hung upon the walls in pan
els, between which we're tesf ooned ropes OF
laurel and white roses.
In the corners were groups Of small or
ange trees, in full fruit. and elsewhere
were grouped palms and foliage plants
Numerous tiny electric lights were suspend
ed from the ceiling in such q way as 10 pro
duce q starlight effect On the table were
large punches Of long stemmed American
beauty roses. in vases OF Old silver. and
about the cloth were g~srlands Of American
beauties. entwtned with maidenhaIr fern,
from which extended sprays Of fragrant
gardenia.
The ladies were provided with bouquets
and the men with boutonniers OF gardenia.
After dinner there was formal dancing IN
the theater.
Spells Name "Cathleen- Now.
Miss Nelson has elected TO spell her first
name Cathleen. instead Of Kathleen, as
heretofore. The formal announcement or
her engagement marked the change in the
spelling. and Newport society Is interestedd
IN knowing just why the tx" was dropped.
1t may be that young Mr.. Vanderbilt is
responsible for the RELOCATION OF the X"
But the change has been made. and, de-
spite the protests Of her more old-fashioned
friends. all the engagement trinkets are be-
Ing engraved with the &C"
Indeed. this one letter has made more
comment than the engagement. as il was
generally known that the young people had
long ago reached an understanding.
The announcement Of q Vanderbilt en-
gagemsnt is not only q very important So
cial event, but ii is one which interests
everybody. Mr.. Vanderbilt has just com
pleted his majority and was a student this
year at Yale. Miss Nelson made her debut
at Newport summer before last. She is still
q very young girl, and has barely reached
her twentieth year. The courtship of these
young people has lasted about q year. So
cjety took the greatest interest in IL. Last
winter Mr.. Vanderbilt was q daily visitor al
ut -NGllSOn TeSlQGHcE. On flIIl avenue, be-
low Twenty-thlrd street.
Opposition to Engagement.
The engagement has been as frequently
rumored and as frequently denied. In fact,
there has been some opposition, not on ths
part Of Mrs. Vanderbilt, the mother OF Reg
inald Vanderbilt alone. nor again on that OF
Mrs. Nelson. but a concerted action by
both moth ers, for the simple and only rea-
son that they thought their children TOO
young 10 wed
The stories that Mrs. Vanderbilt objected
to Miss Nelson on account Of her religion
she being q Roman cAtholic-are denied ny
friends of both families. Mrs. Vanderbilt
has always bean opposed TO her sons mar
ryfng very early in lite. She was a bit re-
iuctant to sanction the early wedding OF
Alfred TO Miss French. She wanted HIN TO
travel around the world and to become set
tied. But when she found that she could
not successfully oppose the young people
she gave a most gracious consent.
The Vanderbilts have a prediction for
marrying early III life. TIL SONS of VIM. H
Vanderbilt were all benedicts-wfth the one
exception or George-SefCre they had com
pleted their thirtieth year. Vim. *. ana
Cornelius married when very young.
Reginald C. Vanderbilt, who is just q
years old, Is the youngest son of the late
Miss Alice Gwynne the daughter of a well
known merchant Miss Gwynne was a mere !
girl when she became q bride
Mrs. Vanderbilt is a distant connection OF
the late Ward McAIiisrsr and Of the famous
Butler family Of the Carolinas, into which
the beautiful actress. Fanny Kemble, mar
ried. The eldest daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. |
Vanderbilt died at the age OF 70. and tie |
eldest son al the age of %, just when he |
was completing his college course. The sec !
ond son, Cornelius, married Miss Grace WI 1
son, and the third son, Alfred, Miss Elsie !
The eldest daughter is Mrs. Harry |
Payne Whitney, ann rhs youngest is Miss
Gladys Vanderbilt She is still In the school, |
room !
Possesses Fortune of s1z.oOo.ooO.
The fortune inherited by Reginald c. Van
derbilt from his father Is Ss.a5o 900. In ap- I
Reginald Vanderbilt resembles the !
Gwgnne family more than the Eanderbilts. !
He is rather short. quise stout. with q round {
face. and he has not the prominent nose
which Is q family Characteristic on the side
Of his father.
So far IL is very difficult 10 decide as ID
the young mai win do In the future J
is very fond of outdoor sports. In a
good polo player, has q fondness for horses.
IL a capital whip and has proved himself
quite an adept chauffeur. He lid not dis
himself al Yale last wear. and
missed his examination But hs waz very :