Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-03
tPoR THE STAR.
PEREGRINA AT A MORNING RECEPTION

fEhEGhlNA AT A MORNING RECEPTION
GENTLEMEN Leading rather a quie,
life 1t is something of an event for me to
put on my best apparel with the inten.
ton of making calls on those who Set
apart certain time to receive formal
company. This morning. the brightness
of the weather lured me forth, and with
as light step as is becoming to my age,
passed along my way.
have some acquaintance who think
1t Sin to be seen at morning recep-
ton, or at any other place where ere as
| semblcd the gay, the beautiful, the fash
ionable. Fashion, dress and beauty, they
say, are snares calculated to draw the
soul away from all good. These ac-
quaintauces do not think it wrong to
visit from house to house every day in
the week, discussing everybody's affairs
but their own, and wasting the precious
time that might be so much better en-
ployed.
My dear" said an old lady to a young
vile, '.you annoy me by counting up
your silver so often, YOU are fr;ttering
away your life on spoons"
Dear madam" said she, al only count
them up once day after breakfast. 1t
is better to have regular time for every
thing"
Why not, then, have a regular time for
visiting? 4 friend of mine, now in
Washington, is very bitter enemy of
MOI ming receptions. She comes from
Virginia, and you are aware that the deas
old State has fancy for sitting still. So,
Mrs. T. T. Y. says, ''she considers a
morning reception an innovation. Why
can't people visit one another. when they
feel like it, as they did in old times !''
my dear friend" said l, sswhy don't
your husband come to church in short
breeches and queue! Progress and
fashion cannot be stayed" l think she
will change her mind after awhile. She
has had little experience in visiting.
uhea she feels like 1t, for lagt week she
walked to see friend who lives near
Georgetown. She could not gain admit.
tance, the lady was having dress fitted.
This was in the morning: in the afternoon.
she went almost to the Capitol to see an
other friend, who was taking a music
lesson. She is excessively en- bon point,
and went to bed with threatening of
asthma. Between mantua-making and
music, she had bad night of it.
1t is to be regretted that gentlemen
cannot more frequently find time to at
tend these morning receptions for there
ladies can be seen to the best advantage.
The light is SO arranged as to be most
becoming and agreeable, having neither
the glare of day nor of gas. The charms
of the fair ones, very great ia reality,
are increased by room being left for the
play Of the imagination. 1t is to be sup
posed that the nicely fitting glove, and
the rich falling undersleeve conceals a
handsome hand and arm. The present
fashion of collar leaves just enough of the
throat exposed to appear very white in
contrast with the gay trimmings of the
bonne:s, and to promise fair and hand
some shoulders. The rich brocade re-
fuses to reveal the foot that ought to be
small, when its owner discloses so nretty
face. The voice, if it be unmuasicai,
can be subdued into the low tones that
are generally heard, while sweet voice,
and, 1t may be, a slight lisp, sounds
charmingly, uttering all the nice little
nothings about the weather and the last
nights party. assure you, gentlemen,
morning reception affords very pretty
study of woman.
l expect to 80 out occasionally in the
evening, and will give you my impress
sions. l will here observe that waste
neither my time nor my money on dress.
[ have plenty Of the former, and very
little of the latter. l am not fond of
tinery, nor have | any old ,naidish no.
tons. | am not particular about the
material of nv collars, nor the color of
my glores. PEREGErSA.
TUESDAY, January 81.