Mr. VANDERBILT'S MARBLE PALACE THROWN OPEN.
Newport, R. I. Aug. 19.— The marble palace was thrown open tonight for the first time since its erection, when Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt gave a select dinner party, followed by a musicale. The night was close and oppressive, with dense fog, but inside the gateway a lovely scene presented itself.
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| The whole space from the fountain to the iron fence was filled in with massive beds of vari-colored hydrangeas that stood out in fine relief under the blaze of numerous clusters of electric lights, illuminating the carriage drives, bringing out in distinct relief the magnificent front of the palace. |
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| On entering the outer gates the watchman was met, with his loose frock, knee breeches, skull cap, with golden band, an usher of the black rod. The grand portico was a blaze of light, and liveried attendants were on hand from carriage to cloakroom. |
When the entire building was illuminated by gas and electricity, the sight was one never before seen in Newport.
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| The guests were received in the drawing room, which needed none other than its natural adornment. |
The dining room was truly royal in its appearance and the table was a picture, being laid with a golden service, embellished with the most elaborate and tasteful table decoration ever seen in Newport.
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| The centre and end pieces were miniature lakes of night-blooming water lilies, with their own foliage, with many other aquatics of the most choice and rare variety. In the centre were the white and blue lilies of the Danube, and towering over all was the stately lotus of the Nile. Tiny water lilies, blue and white, floated in each flutter bowl, and each of these was connected with the centre and end pieces by a tracery of sprays and layers of fancy aquatic foliage. |
The appointments of the room were in keeping. The floor was covered with a very large fine rug of crimson and gold, inworked with golden fleur de lis at the corners, and the high chairs were of a roseate red velvet, with double principal chairs at the head and foot of the table.
The menu was furnished by Mr. Vanderbilt's chef. The household staff, clad in black liveries with full breast cords and the sleeves and fronts studded with gilt garters and patent leathers with buckles, waited at table.
The guests were Mr. Hoyt, Mr. J. C. Furman, O. H. P. Belmont, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Hunt, Miss Tooker, Miss Hunewell, Miss Wetmore, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sloane, Col. and Mrs. Jay, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Sloane, Mr. Riggs, Miss Sloane, Miss Vanderbilt, and Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Vanderbilt
After dinner a delightful musicale was given, which was attended by a few of the intimate friends of the family.
When "Marble House" was For Sale
Mrs. Belmont's Tea House
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