, 1874-12-27

Before another edition OF Tue SUNDAY TR1B.
UNE with its social gossip is published for the
| edifcatioA Of its readers the new year will have
boen fairly inaugusated, and with more or les.
good Intentions every one will be travelling on
| wa:d toward another year. Socially the opening
day Of the new year is great event. 1t il day
set apart in many cities for the receiving Of ones
friends. In New York, it is general holiday,
| all business being suspended, the feminine ele-
| ment safelS housed, and nothing but masculine
specimens OF all ages and sizes visible abroad
1t las been like all other fcssai occasions sub
ject to more or less abuse, but in the main there
| is not the least doubt that this custom derived
| from the old Dutch brrghezs Of New Amster-
| dam is excellent ono.
| The more fastidious and epicurean members
| OF society would doubtless ba shocked ct tue
E1allers aud hot-stufT that stood in front of the
big Fireplace in those old Dutch Kitchens, and
instead of this homely fare, Which = bracing
walk in the frosty air mado acceptable to those
old settlers. ligh-pr,ced caterer now furnishes
dripkablcs and dyspepsia to their less sturdy,
more solf- -induIgent Successors.
Tho head Of family nowadays would hardly
care to start OF incumbered with wife and chill
dren as that old Dulchman did. lie has not tho
least wish to emoke pipe With some male mem
ber of the family while the women discuss spin
ming, wesvins, and tho best methods OF making
1yc, and securing tho front door-steps. Not ho
What would become of that sentimental ilirta-
tion With AIRS. Dash between whom and himself
. dozen or score Of ycars ngo there had been
almost an engagement? He married lis EN-
ployers daughter to get footing i'll the
big firm Of Blank s. Co., uhcra he is
now senior partner. She married Old Bill
ious, tho banker. and wears tho most
magnificent diamonds. They rarely meet except
on New-Iear's day, whom he makes his annual
call. Then he remarks, s. Oh! Kate, life is un-
satisfactory" Which remark conveys volume
Of supposedly untold things, such US an un-
congenlal partner, q life OF sacrifice and duty,
and "Couid it only have bcen." While she
says Yes, could re only have the experience
Of mature years when VIC are young" meaning
to convey the fact that diamonds are, after all,
Unsatisfactory things, and that her Ese's doll
had been stuffed with tho sou1cst and most |
acrid Of cornmca1 They each know it is sonti- |
mental boeb, and that neither would resign the |
creature comforts they have realized, for love in
cottage and poverty. Old Blanks daughter has
been an excellent wife, knowing no will hut her
husbands, faithful subserrient, and common:
rl8ce. Old Bilious b7s been an excellent hus-
bznd, generous to n fault. and his wife has been
able to crafty her love Of show to tho utmost.
Would either change mstters and accept scpti-
ment aud poverty Not for worlds. But they
like to fancy they would, cnd this little annua!
ebuiat;on, that never overstcps the bounds Of
ia just 80 much sentimental sham
only that and nothing more Still wife and
family in heightened accompaniment would be
rather discord, and as SUCH are better left
put.
Then there are the young people who make
ind receive calls in quantity. The style Of con-
rersation is not wonderful, and the excitement
nuet be- OF the mildest kind. "Qood :loruing
Miss Brown! Compliments Of the season! u
Thank you! Pleasant day Tor stormy and
old, Is tho case may be). Made many ca!la:"
About fifty; got q hundred more to make
Received many, Miss Brown" eyes, great
many. We kept count up to 6 hundred, and then |
he gentlemen came go fast Ne couldn't keep up
he list" swell, good:by, must be going; 50
many calls, you know" Take little 1ofresh-
nent Won't you7" and then the Young
nan 1efreshes or not, IS he feelB inclined,
nd is OF fo- similar repetition |
{ this rather limited conversational programme,
nd Miss Brown goes through the same with the ]
noat trifiug variations with all the rest OF her
oung gentleman acquaintances. Then there are Il
omelGenuloe friends who c&l, people whose :