THE HOUSE OF ASTOR

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 13, 23 September 1908, Page 68

THE HOUSE OF ASTOR

And the Vulgar and Senseless Extravagances • of the New York Society which caused Mrs Astor to Resign

In a New York newspaper dated January 10, 1789, appeared an advertisement announcing that “J. Jacob Astor, next door but one to the Friends’ Meeting House,” had for sale pianos of the most approved make and furs of the best quality.” That rather curiously mixed business was the origin of what is to-day was quite the largest—for it has been surpassed .by at least one other—but the most solidly invested and the most tenaciously held of the great American fortunes. THE GROWTH OF THE ASTOR ESTATE. To-day the Astor estate is estimated at about four hundred and fifty million

dollar*, and it ia advancing in value faster than ever. So long a* it is maintained in its present ironclad position of strategic strength, there is nothing, humanely speaking, that can prevent its -continual and colossal increase. It will reach a billion dollars -before many years pass, and it may be the first of the world’s great fortunes to do so. It dtoes not depend,as most of the others do, to a greater or less extent upon the life of and individual or individuals. Industries may change or flutcuate, railroads may be injured by new competition or new inventions, but nothing can stay the expansion of the American metropolis; and it cannot expand without paying an ever greater tribute into the Astor coffers.

THE WOMEN Of THE HOUSE OF ASTOR Personally and socially, the women of the house of Astor have shone more brightly than the men. Almost without exception, they have brought into the family beauty, brains, and the best blood Of America. Mrs William Astor, widowed by her husband’s death in 1892, has for many years been the recognised leader of New York society. The sovereignty of that brilliant kingdom is a position that requires vastly more than wealth, and Mrs Astor’s long tenure of it has proved her to be a woman of remarkable qualities and powers. Whenever the social sceptre shall pass from the hand of her husband's mother, it could find no worthier inheritor than the younger Mrs John Jaeob Astor. No daughter of a hundred earls eould be a more gracious and queenly figure than this young American matron. Tall, slender and graceful; beautiful of face; with all the advantages of education and culture; fond of outdoor life, and able to handle a horse, a gun, a sail-boat, a tennis racket, or a golf club with practised skill—she has every physical and mental endowment that a fairy godmother could give to a favourite child'. She is the mother of a twelve-year-old son who will succeed to his father’s place in the Astor dynasty. Quiet and domestic in her personal tastes, she is already famous for the hospitality she dispenses fai the homes between which she and her Biatbaiid divide most of their time when

they arc not travelling abroad—their magnificent French chateau on Fifthavenue, which they now share with Mrs William Astor, their Newport villa, and their country place on the Hudson River, near Rhinebeck. THE FOLLIES WHICH HAVE DISGUSTED MRS W. ASTOR. When the attention of the average American is called to the doings of Newport society, the celebrated monkey dinner is promptly recalled to memory. What a sensation it caused, to be sure! The Newporters were invited to Crossways, the splendid residence of Mrs Fish, for a Sunday luncheon. Imagine their amazement when, on entering the diningroom, they saw sitting at the head of the table, as an honoured guest, a grinning, jabbering chimpanzee. The creature was feted and petted and had a really lovely time. So did the other guests ; the affair was voted a great success, a brilliant, splendid, daring idea. Mrs Fish was radiant. Following the entertainment of “Consul,” the chimpanzee, Henry Walters secured a tame ape, which acted as host on his yacht Nadara. Then the Lehrs got a white cockatoo, which they took with them to the Casino and other places of amusement. Mrs Fish had given society the cue. THE LADY AND THE PIG. Shortly after this occurred the “lady and the pig” incident. It was on the last day of the Newport Horse Show. The scene was colourfully brilliant. Suddenly a woman uttered an exclamation and raised her lorgnette. Others did likewise. There was a murmur of amazement—and then of eooing, de-

lighted admiration. Walking along the promenade was a woman in laces, carrying in her arms a squealing pig, washed white as milk and tied with blue ribbons. Then the pig became the pet of society. A DOG PARTY. Another matron was not to be outdone, however, for a few weeks later sent invitations for a dog party—for prize-win-ning barkers owned by the members of the set. Wine was held to their noses and the right paw of each bow-wow was placed on the table. As they si ped the wine, a string was manipulated and the kennel of roses fell to pieces, revealing a stuffed cat, in which was a mecnanical device which worked the tail with lifelike motion. There was a howl from dogs and women, and in an instant the canines were Upon the eat. The women screamed and laughed, excitedly; the dogs growled and tore the kitten to shreds. Servants rushed into the room and separated the tangled mass of dogflesh la-fore they got at one another’s throats. That dinner W*e a great social event. FEMININE “FILLIPS.” It was followed by others, more or less fantastic. One might continue ad infinitum reciting such incidents. These entertainments set a made pace; other hostesses tried to equal them. Entertainment was no longer the hoapitatye and good-natureci, free and easy caring for guests; it was a dizzy, nerve-racking, brain-burning, heart-aching contest for

novelty, excitement, and features surpaaa* ing each other in spectacular display. Money was spent in enormous sums; U>« cost of single.entertainments mounted to 15,000 dollars and 20,000 dollars. Meanwhile the “older’’ set looked on with disfavour. While the "younger set” whirled in the summer-niad danee, they stood aloof. They hided their time. They recalled the old days—the Newport of 20 years ago—when birth was the sine qua non, when the bizarre was regarded as vulgar, and entertainments took a quiet tone. Naturally the risb of the tide of fortune had swept away the old traditions of Newport; money-mad captains of industry from Wall-street went to the Rhode Island resort, where they just as madly spent money; there was the rise of the nouveau riche, the sellers of railroads and patent pills, the vendors of stocks and tobaccos—all of them opulent, fairly bristling with prosperity. “RACE SUH IDE” DINNER. One matron scored a rip-roaring success by a "race suicide” luncheon givep at the I-adies’ Bridge Club, when bugs, wax dolls were placed between each couple, which, when pressed, said "Papa” and "Mamma.’’ Another thrill _ wha aroused when a matron invited to dinner all the separatee! husbands and wives of her set. Imagine their surprise when looking across the table, Mrs So-and Ho saw her husband, or several husbands, of old. A weeping Cupid of Trianon in ieed wept in the centre of the table, and after the dinner a toast was drank to tboea who were "lovers once, friends now.”

To whom unquestionable but unofficial precedence lias for years lieen given by New York Society. Mrs. Astor, the cables inform us, has resigned her position as leader, being unable to stand the follies of vulgar rich or gaucheriee, and lack of culture, which make a certain set ".impossible” from a society point of view.

Who win succeed to the position of leader of New York society, if she deigna to accept the position. She » said to be even prouder and more haughty than Mrs. Williams, but is brilliantly gracious to those whom she does honour.

THE UNCROWNED “QUEENS” OF NEW YORK SOCIETY.