Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-30
Society.

In reviewing the week just drawing to a close
we cannot record it as brilliant one for society
The few who began their day receptions with
the assembling of Congress seem to have omit
ted them this week, and the time has been given
up to family reunions and to visits that cannot
well be made when the rush commences.
-Christbaas is essentially a time for benevo-
lence and charity; it is the time when the Door
and the orphans are especially remembered
Last Saturday evening the lady managers of the
Home for the orphans of soldiers and sailors pre-
sented gifts to all the children, the matron, and
even the servants connected with the Home
Every child received two presents. These pres
ems were bought with money contributed by
friends of the Home.
NO city but Washington can boast of
two hospitals for children. New York and Phil
adelphia each have one, and those are the only
cities besides Washington that have such insti-
buttons. The first one established here was that
in charge Of the sisterhoOd of st. Johns.
Georgetown keeps up a time -honored Gus
tom ofhOlding high carnival during Christina :
week, and Monday night party of gentlem IN
in masqueIa aiding costume assembled at Mrs
Brices, and in succession visited the houses of
Dr. Riley, Messrs. Dodsons, welch, Mix, and
Jones There was music and dancing at each
one OF these houses, and company assembled to
receive the masquers. The sport was great
morning. Tuesday, about thirty couples had
another masquerade frolic at Mr.. Clark's, five
miles in the country. This party took their
music and Refreshments along. They were
jolly party in spite OF the long drive over a bad
road, and getting stuck occasionally, when all
would have to leave the omnibus and walk SIT
Both ladies and gentlemen dressed in their fsflcy
dresses at home, and the ladies buttoned long
waterproof cloaks over their dresses and wore
their ordinary hats. The gentlemen also con-
eesled their characters, 80 that, although the
journey was made together, after their arrival
ana rev minutes in their respective dress
rooms, they were utterly unknown to each other
Many ludicrous mistakes occurred. One young
gentleman made love to his sister all the eve
cred his mistake. The costumes were yery
handsome, and all acted their characters can't
tally. This party returned to the city in time
ior breakfast. On Wednesday evening there
Mas an invitation party given by the Misses
Weich, or Georgetown. 1t was brilliant com
paDy, and the supper was very sumptuous
- Christmas, Judge and Mrs. Bartlett gave a
dinner party. which was attended by several or
the city judges. Tuesday night they had theat-
reals, which they always get up successfully.
The plays were, Naval Engagements and
Ioodles:" The amateurs who act in these
plays perform with the ease and spirit OF profess
sionals, and the company invited for the occa-
sion always enjoy the performance.
- In no branch of society are the changes
more noticeable than in the diplomatic corps.
Last season the ladies numbered about twenty:
this winter there are not more than six Mrs.
Fish is spending Christmas at her house in New
YORK, and when she returns, she and her hus-
band will take rooms at wormley's. This looks
Ike failure to procure a suitable house. or Il
leaves MIR. Fish free to retire whenever he can
do SO without detriment TO the public service.
The President gave his first state dinner
Thursday evening, which was informal, and not
confined to the representatives of one branch of
the government alone.