Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-23

The gay season has begun. That's a settled
fact One swallow may not make a summer,
but three fashionably attended evening parties
successfully surely betoken that the gay winter
Is cloSe 1T hand. 1t takes just twice as much
energy to get into the spirit of going to the first
party as it does to 20 to half dozen after the
habit is fairly uron one. Party dresses whether
new or old, are usually deep in the friendly en-
brace of boxes or dress trunks. They must be
taken out ard retouched; flowers and ribbons
must be rcsurrected from their protecting COW
eTings; boots or sill pers, with the embroidered
stockings, must be unwOHnd from their white
wrappings; gloves must he bought, and, alto
gcther, il is such bother to get ones things
fairly together and get ones self COM
fOItably into them that really Incidence
comes very near winning the victory,
by the temptations offered OF a loose wrapper
and book on the lounge drawn before the fire
with the reading lamp just near enough to be
agreeable. Fighting against all these sugges-
tons Of bliss without an effort, one energetically
goes through the fatigue of dressing repres5es
the shiver as the first blast of cold air pierces
beneath the opera cloak at the front door, and
presently arrivtsa at the hOspitable dwelling, and
l. rewarded. For from the time one enters there
are greetings from friends, and plea ant thrill
pervades one as each well-rememberedfa face ofthe
past season Is seen smiling pleasantly at The
meeting. 1t -, after all, well worth while going
to the first party. 1t has the charm OF novelty
more OF less TO every one after the quiet home
life of the past months, and then il is o. interest
society promises to be composed for the season
just begun.
We have had these pleasures this week: we
have seen many Of the familiar faces; we have
missed some of those who contributed to our
happint 50 last year; and we have cordially wei
coined new corners, for in Washing ton, as no.
where else, the stranger is sure OF cordially
and II secure OF feeling no SenSe of loneliness IN
the crowd II pleasant words, kindly smiles and
Interchange OF friendly converse have any in-
huence.
There have been several very deli yhtful en-
tertainments during the past seven days. The
Spanish Minister and Mrs. Roberts gave a small
party last Saturday evening to Mrs. Fish, which
was attended by a few of the members of the
diplomatic corps One of the features of the
evening was music. The diplomatic corps Is
fortunate IN having added to the number of its
members gifted with musical talents the new
German Minister, Baron Won SchlCsser, who has
quite genius for music. Blacque Bey having
returned Is source Of eongratulation, not only
because OF his agreeable manners and CONVEX
sation, but because the pleasure of listening
again 10 his magnificent voice NAV be epioyed
IL is hoped that musical circles may again well
come Madame Garcia among them. She WAS
sadly missed last whit er.
Mr.. Horatio Kings party on Tuesday eve
ming was largely attended, in spite of the
Indictment weather. Mr.. King and his daughter
can command a charming company whenever
they issue invitations.
Wednesday evening was as crowded with
entertainments as if that mythical elevation,
''the height of the season." had been suddenly
attained. There were two weddings. Miss
Chandler and Mr.. Hale, and Miss Upperman
ard Dir. Zevely celebrated their respective mar
Tiages about the same hour, and meantime the
Choral Society was giving "A benefit night to it's
inactive members. There was a brilliant as
- mblage at each entertainment, which goes to
show that the city has filed up again and resi-
dents and visitors are alike i'm the mood for
enjoying whatever Of the good things of life are
at band.
Thursday evening Mr.. and Mrs. Russell
Quincy gave a small party, and the young gen.
tlemen principally officers of the navy gave
grand german at Marini's. At Mr.. Gurney,s
limited number OF guests only were expected.
Among those who attended were Judge and Mrs.
Field, the Solicitor General and Mrs Bristow
MI. and Mrs James Carlisle, the Spanish min
ister and Mrs Roberts, and the Turkish minis
ter Ihere was no dancing, and the guests took
their leave early, having enjoyed a most agree
able evening. Mrs. Quincy wore an elegant
velvet trained dress Of emerald.green hue.
None OF the germans given at Mariai's here
tofore have surpassed that Of Thursday There
were none too many dancers to make waiting for
the completion Of the figures tedious to those
who lad had their turns. Mrs. Admiral Porter
received the guests, and was the partner OF th
leader, Mr.. Mason, Of the navy. Mrs. Porte
wore an exquisite dress Of white muslin trimmed
with numerous small pieatings OF the same ma
terial covered with black lace. Mis- EIixabeth
Pascal attracted much attention, and was
greatly admired She wore a mauye silk with
nounces OF the same, and scarlet flowers in her
hair. Miss Ray, a dsbataAts daughter of Albert
Ray, wore = silk beneath, white and blue
chambery gauze; hair dressed with biue feafh
ers Miss Sto1ghton wore q perfect toilet of
white and green striped chambery gauze, with
hounces Of green silk. Miss Cuts wore a beauti-
fal white dress richly trimmed with lace. Mrs.
Mansfield Brown was as usual most beconinyly
DIRE sSed. Miss Jeffers wore a dress composari az
tarletane, white skirts alternating with green.
Miss Fletcher wore white tarietane with
rose-eolored Tuches. Mrs. Colonel Mr.
tin wore superb dress of light green
silk, deliberately trimmed with velvet and
fringe. Miss Philip wore an embroidered or
CANDY with rose colored sash. Miss Porter wore
a pink silk. beneath a white muslin, trimmed
with duchesse lace. Mrs. Judge Pascal wore a
black silk, with oyerskift of green. The dancing
continued from nine until two. Refreshments
were handed between the dances. The last