The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-05
GUESTS OF r. VANDERBILT.
Bachelor Dinner Given 1t Hill Top In New.
port-Besutiful Decorations.


port-Besutiful Decorations.
NEwPoRT, r. l., April 1.-THE first society
event Of the Newport season. the first
Of a series Of entertainments which will
terminate with the wedding Of Miss Cath
lean q. Nelson and Reginald c. Vanderbilt.
took place tonight at the Hill Top cot
tass. Il was tho bachelor dinner given by
Mr.. Vanderbilt. It 10 estimated that II cost
5000
The selection OF Hill Top for the dinner
was made by Mr.. Vanderbilt about week
ago. At first II vas the intention Of the
young man to secure the Casino grill rooms,
but finding this impossible he rented the
Hill Top cottage. and will have the ex-
elusive use of It from now on until after
the wedding. The cottage Is situated on
Bellevue avenue. acroes the street from
the Reading Room. Newport's fashiona3le
club, the house standing in the centre
Of large grounds.
II IL q wooden structure OF Colonial archi-
lecture and was designed and occupied
for years by the late Richard M. Hunt.
After his death Is was secured as q fashion,
able boarding house, and has been run
successfully for years, being, patronlzed
by the vanderbilts and well-known New
at times during the winter.
The decorations for the table consisted
Of Easter lilies and American Beauty roses,
tied with crimson ribbon, and loose
roses laid on the cloth. which gave the
appearance Of having fallen from the
bowers above. The same kind of roses
were placed In vases throughout the rooms
OF the villa. The walk leading to the
Colonial porch was lined with rows OF bay
trees. In the porches large vases OF n.y.
The spiral stairway leading to the second
floor was entirely covered with Southern
smilax. to which American Beauty roses
were attached. The room to the right was
designed to represent a conservatory.
Passing beneath the spiral stairway ano
formed OF asparagus and a thousand flowers
of golden narcissus, through which many
tiny white electric lights glimnered. In
the hall beyond the arch two other arches
were arranged, one at the entrance 70 the
reception room and the other to the dining
room. These arches were composed OF
Southern mountain cherry. covered WIN
berries and electric lights the same color
as the berries. Throughout the hall IN
hooks and corners groups OF palms and
were placed large punches Of American
Beauty roses tied with large bows OF Grim
son ribbon.
, The ceiling OF the reception room was was
festooned with smilax and white lilac ,ieu
with bows Of white ribbon, and the palms
and ferns were here used with striking
effect The dining room was turned INTO q
veritable rose bower, the ceiling ana sice
walls being completely hidden from view
with roses Electric lights were also placed
The menus were d-painted on white
silk and cost Mr.. Vanderbilt S25 each. Inc
pictures on the menus depicted scenes ano
Incidents In the life and courtship OF the
host and his future bride; Inc goests, q,
from New York BY q special car attached
70 the regular train leaTing New York at
o'clock. At the head Of the table was the
host and on the side at his right were W
A. M Burden, Peter Goelet Gerry. Mr. Cary
Reginald Norman, F. H. Paine, Jules Nell
son. Henry r. Eldridge. Henry White
house. Delancey Kountze and Robert l.
Il the other end Of the table was ALFRED
a. Vanderbilt, and from his right wert
seated Messrs. Fred NJ. Davies, Charles
M. Oelrichs, Jr., Mr.. Knox, Robert Clarke
Mr.. Morrill,, Arthur Gray. Mr. Rand. Austir
Gray and Ellis Adams.
Besides tho floral decorations on thu
table, at the last moment Mr.. Vanderbii
had placed on the board the many eilveI
cups which be has won at the various hor 3
qnrtered at Hin Top, and tomorrow they
WIN be entertained at luncheon at Oakland
Farm by Alfred @. Vanderbilt.
This morning Mrs. Frederick Nelson
and Mrs. Arthur T. Kemp left for New
York, where they viii remain until Friday
next, when they will enter on the occupanc,
Of Arleigh. where this wedding Is to taxi
place.
ne beautiful Cvstou Of Rsmem beIiag