New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-15
4 Lunch Party at DelmonicO's.

accepted an invitation to SOrOsis luncl
party not long since. l met about fit,
ladies OF SOrosis in the green parlors a
Delmonico's, Fourteenth street. Durin,
the half hour preceding the lunch, at on,
o'clock, there wac perfect Babel of con
versatior, friendly greeting, and bits of gOs
sip-but no scandal, as that is against tn,
rules of this society.
| Precisely at the hour appointed, the fold
| ing doors were thrown open into the lunch
room. There was number of small tables
| and one table Of good size, at which the
! ladies placed themselves at pleasure. There
were five ladies beside my self at the table
where ! was given a seat, as intelligent
cultured women as it would be possible tC
meet. All the table appointments were
elegant; the lunch simple, but appetizing
and we'll served.
First, we had oysters. cooked in several
ways, salad, a Ia Mayonaise, French
bread and tea and coffee; then cream and
ices, in the shape of fruit, with tarts and
cakes. There was pleasant buzz Of ge-
NAL, joyous conversation throughout the
room, bubbles and ripples of laughter, but
nothing loud or noisy. At halt past one
o'clock we returned to the front parlor,
and the folding doors were again closed.
During our absence a piano had been sent
by Mr.. Weber for the Occasiop-and let
me add that Mr.. Weber always sends a
piano for the use of the ladies who attend
these social gatherings, free of all expense
The president and secretary at once took
their places at table in the centre of the
room, and transacted a small amount of
business necessarily connected with the
society. Tnen the secretary read some
very interesting letters frem members of
Sorosls, who are travelling or residing
abroad. There was a letter from Rome, a
LOT from Ganaya 1pttar from fbopc
and letter from London. Instrumental
and vocal music, original essays and poems,
and Rotations, followed in succession
throughout the afternoon. until five o'clock.
As each lady had been notified Of the part
she was expected to contribute, they were
prepared, and, without the slightest hesita-
ton, answered to the expected demand.
While Mathematical woman read
paper which she called Heart Culture" in
one of the windows, to catch the fading
light. had ample leisure to look about me
upon a scene worthy the pencil of an artist
The ladies were scattered about the room
in groups; a mother and daughter were sit
ting with clasped hands, like two loving
school girls: some of the ladies we're knit.
ting, some crocheting, and not few gazing
into the glowing CRATE, dreaming dreams,
or listening to the charming essay-every-
thing beng softened, beauttied, harmon.
ICED: by the mellQwed radiance Of the fire.
light.
A little woman sitting near. whose quiet
beauty had fascinated me, on being called
upon for a recitation, at once arose from her
chair and commenced one OF Mrs. Brown
ing's poems. In three minutes she seemed
to have been transformed. Her dark ewes
grew luminous, her delicate form seemed to
expand and grow tall, her voice low and
sweet, thrilled and quivered with passionate
emotion. Like the musical crescendo which
the wind plays upon the -Eolian harp-she
grew more and more excited with the
beauty and pathos of the poem.
became pale and listless, and looking
through one Of the windows into the out
ward GLOOM seemed lost to all her sur
And these sweet faced women,
these intelligent, cultivated, wOmanly wo-
men are of this SorOsis Where are Susan
B. Anthony and Victoria Woodruff and
when will they talk of woman's suffrage,
'ree love and the BlOOmer costume l had
nagnifed it to be a conclave of women,
who met to clamor for the right to vote, to
wear short dresses, and to love whom they
please. found Sorosis to be literary So
,iety, club of women who meet for lit
,rary culture, who advocate some sensible
'efOrms in wOman's dress and education.
md who perform some noble deeds of char
ty. Neither of the distinguished women
mentioned has ever belonged to the Sorosis.
There is no prescribed rule tor dress at
hese social gatherings. Some of the ladies
we're elegantly dressed; some plainly; all in
treet dresses, and nearly all in good taste.
There are old ladies with slvery curls, mid
lle-aged ladies and blooming girls belong
ng to SorOsis.
There are a number of distinguished
women, and women of literary tastes. as
veil as accomplished women, who are men,
,ers. Within the past month there have |
,een to evening receptions given by SOrosis |
It private residences, when the members |
ave invited their gentleman friends. The |
irst of these receptions was given at Mrs. |
clapp's, in West Thirty eighth street. the |
asst at Mrs. George Hoffman's, in Fifth ave-
lue. Both were very enjoyable.
The gem of the evening at Mrs. Clapp's |
vas Miss BIS recitation Of TennysOn's |
Dora A more charming performance |
Ould hardly be imagined. At Mrs. HOff. |
mans there was an admirable recitation Of |
Will Cartons poem, 1.-The New Church |
)rgan," by Mrs. W, and some very |
God music.
Alice and Phoebe Cary were beloved.
1embers of Sorosis. Emma Stebbins,
Harriet Hosmer, Frances Power Cobb,
|eorge Sand, Clara L. kellogg, Maria
litskell, Emily Faithful, and many other
istanguished wensn, ase honorary members
0e0oo6A T. F. y.