The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-08

was during the Rochester exhibition that had the
pleasure Of being guest Of Ared his famous hoe
dinner given in the ballroom Of the hotel. celebrs
ton Of his winning virtually all first prizes in the coach
ing events gentleman driving with his four famous erays
The dinner was served at midnight Among the guests
Mr.. and Mrs Henry Mitchell, o. London; Mr. and
Mrs. Horst Koch also Of London Major Akin
son. chairman Of PARIS Bank Of London-aii u whom
had to America especially be Vanderbilt guests
the Rochester show--and distinguished company Of
American society and sporting notables.
think, perhaps, my readers would be interested in
description Of this dinner and Of its We
accustomed reading Of the less conventional
entertainments of the millionares, but seldom do we
know the details OF pastimes carefully hidden from the
public because of their rather bizarre nature.
just at that time Alfred Vanderbilt WAS not in the best
standing with what was known the Newport crowd
the Robert Goelets the Fishes Mrs. Ava Astor and Mr.
and Mrs. Elbfidge TERRY etc. These leaders had been
trAe slow about giving him their full approval OF his
marriage Mrs. Margaret Emerson McKim Of Baltimore
Mrs McKim was his new BRIDE easily the most beauti
fu in the Newport colony and the most charming
by all odds But Elsie French her predecessor in Afreds
heart had been long entrenched in that gay centre OF
social reverics and her friends fighting hard to
embarrass the who succeeded her. Alfred and his
wife had been therefore, very circumspect They had
done almost "circusing as il was called-had given
none of those unconventional entertainments of which
rumors are bound creep about Mr. and Mrs Alfred
safe from observation Of the Geys and the Geets and
the Astors up Rochester determined to make night
Of i" LM@
In the centre Of huge table corner Of Hyde Park
London in the vicinity Of the London Coaching Club was
faithfully reproduced This tribute to the London
guests present al OF whom members OF the London
club. of which Alfred was official and under whose
colors he often exhibited in England The reproduction
done in green with grass and trees and roadways
arranged SO naturally il seemed real.
Even the lamp posts and roadside benches were repro
duced in miniature The famous Achilles statue and the
powder magazine distinguishing features Of the drive
ways of Hyde Park copied and placed in position On
roadway between the benches several small coaches
bearing gay parties each drawn by six eight horses
seemed to be racing The most minute detail OF these
groups perfect to- the grooms who strobe tho
wheel horses Nurse maids with their persmbulators,
soldiers policemen and dogs were scattered through thu
park they seen any bright morning in Hyde Park
All these details were done in silver and bronze by asma
Irmy Of artisans who had worked day and night at their
task expense 10 the host In front OF each
guest as souvenir stood miniature Of vanderbilts
coach and his four grays.
Many Of the details Of the dinner were Of course sug
gested by me- as we talked II over In advance. Alfred
generally consulted me about such features was able
to advise him with considerable ability had stood
behind guests in my capacity butler at many Vennese
entertainments and the Austrian nobleman in the old