, 1873-05-11

And now, in the year 1857, the celebrated WORT
" blue stockings" frat occurs in HRS Montague
tells US, in his " Life Of johnson" that, about
this time, it was much the fashion for severn!
ladies to haro evening assemblies, where the
fair se1 might participate in consersation with
literary and Ingenious men, animated BY desirs
Blue Stocking clubs. One OF the most eminent
members Of these societies, when they first
commenced, WAS Mr. Benjamin 8hlingfeet,
whose dress WIS remarkably grave, and,
in particular, 1t Was observed that he wore blue
stockings. Such was the excellence Of his con-
ve1sation that his absence WAS felt as so great a
loss that it used to be said, We can do nothing
without the blue stockinga,' and thus by de-
groes the title WAS established" Boswell was
greatly mistaken, for, in 1881, Bnjamin Stling-
feet, ,fthe highly accomplished gentleman, philos.
opher, and bai1ack-master Of Kensington, had
been dead ten years, and he had left OF wearing
blue stockings at least fourteen years before he
died.
In 1750 Mrs. Montagu md some other Indies
attempted to reform manners BY having parties
where cards could not be thought of, and where
the mental power was freshest for conversation
In that year there was q charming French lady
taking notes among us. Madame du Bocage, IN
her 'sLetters On England, Holland, and Italy, "
notices Mrs. Montagn; and from tho notice may
be learned that the last named lady was already
giving entertainments of nature to benefit So
ciety. While at the Duke OF Richmond's, So
many as eighteen card-tables were "set for
playiug" in the gallery OF his house, near White
consolation Of the half-ruined, and congratula-
ton Of tho lucky gamblers, Mrs. Montagu gave
breakfasts. Madame du Bocage thus speaks Of
them and Of the hostess:
In the morning, breakfasts. which enchaut
as much by the exquisite vinnds as by the rich
tgreeably bring together the people Of the coun-
try and strangers. We breakfastad In this man
ner to-day, April 8, 1850, at Lady Montague"
las Madame du Bocage mistakenly calls her),
and furnished with the choiceet movab1es Of
China. 4 long table, covered with ths finest
linen, presented to the view thousand glitter
ing cups, which contained coffee, chocolate,
biscuits, cream, butter, toasts, and e1-
quisite tea. You must understand that
where but in London. Tho mistress Of the
house, who deserves to be served at the table
Of the gods, poured it out herself. This ia the
CUSTOM and, in order to conform to it, the dress
of the English ladiee, which suits exactly I'd ther
statue, the white apron and the pretty STRAW hat,
only in their own apartments, but at noon in st.
James Park, where they walk with tho stately
and majestic gait OF nymphs-'
Mrs :Montagu Was not the only lady who
gaye those literary breakfasts. Lady schaub "a
Foreign lady who would marry Sir Luke) re-
ceiyed company at those pleasant repasts. Whom
tho breakfast gave way to the evening coteries
for conyersation j.. with orgeat, 1emonades,
tea, and biscuitB), is not known. Altar
these had lasted few years, the word
tino n.'' in ''cS Mla. montsgu's % letters. Writing
in March, 1757, to Dr.. Monaey, ahe says: "ouf
friend, Mr. stillingaeet, is more attached to the
lilies Of the field than to the lilies OF the town,
who toll and spin as little as the others and, like
the former, are better n1rayed than Solomon in
Ill his glory. aesuro you, our philosopher is
so much man Of pleasure he has left OF his old
friends and his blue stockings, and ia at operas
and other gay assemblies every night; 20 I'M
seine whether sage doctor, a dropsica1 patient,
and bleak mountain are likely to attract him"
Mr. Benjamin Btillingleet used to be seen as
often as Mrs. Veseys gatherings as at Mrs.
Montaru's. "Blue stockings" was not term
exclusively applied to Mrs Montagu's assemblies.
To al assemblies where ladies presided and
scholars were welcomed, the name seems to have
been given. 4 blue stocking club" never e1-
listed. The title WAS given in deriaion by per-
sons who, as before said, lacked the brains, or
rho we're not distinguished by other merits that
would hare entitled them to an invitation. The
assemblies of Mrs. Montagu, Mrs. Vesey, and
Mrs. Ord were spoken Of indifercntly as bag
bleu assemblies.
In 1881 Hannah More took the Blue Stockings
for theme for her epright1y little poem. which
she entitled '' Bas Bleu," and dedicated to Mrs.
Vesey. In 8 few introductory words the auditor
explained the origin and character OF the as-
semhliea to which the Well-knoWn epithet was
given. "Those little societies hare boen COME