, 1874-02-15
The Expense Of Entertainments for
Children,
Juvenile Parties Costing from $500 to
$1,000.
E1Q Effects OF Transforming Boys and
Girls into Miniature Men and
Women.

consequence when contrastod with the relative
amount Of expenditure which is bestowed upon
SUPPOSED AMUSEMENT OF CHILDREN.
We say supposed amusement, because the
child in whom natural vitality and enthusiasm
Lave not been spoiled by artificial stimuiants
vii find greater enjoyment in sunlight air, not
overtime clothes, and possibly good romp, than
in Ill the miniature limitations Of grown peoples
PARTIES and manners which can be arranged for
!hem+ So long az they are boys and girls to each
oshe1,-the difference of sex mover obtruding it.
III; Us difference OF sex Except inasmuch as
!ls male, being usually the stronger, is naturally
lie protector OF the weaker human creature),-
nnple, unarti6cial gatherings are The kind which
unuse them. It ia only when the artifl-
:ial stimulus which il administered to them in
Ii, way Of entertainments that are fac-similes
III miniature of those OF their pnrents or elders
b.. developed them into beaux and bellies, some
times at almost infantile age, that such gath
sr:ngs arc enjoyed. Then do we see the happy
faces OF children, with perhaps sudden gust Of
passion, q furious quarrel, with as sudden and
eu3rgctic teconciliation7 By no means. These
MINIATURE MEN AND WOMEN,
r;;sh all tho passions and petty envy and malice
Light, il it not something even worse than e1-
t:s7agance to waste hundreds of dollars in
making happy ch1ldron into miserable little
puppets
Setting aside, however, any moral view OF the
question, aud looking at it merely in a financial
leht, let us see what it costs to entertain these
children not yet e1nancipated from the nursery.
Commencing with the invitations, then: Mrs.
Smith decides that she will glre
JUVENILE PARTY
for tue benefit ct Master Augustus, aged II, and
Hiss Katie. aged 9. This will include all the
young ladys and gentleman's friends, ranging
from the ages OF to Is. There will be about .
hundred Of them. It shall be q lawn party in
the month Of June. Possibly fancy-ilrcss
anair is decided upon. Mrs. Smith hcs 3 largo
lwn attached to her country-house. When she
frst came back from Europe SHE gave dejeuners
Ler friends but as, in this busy Western
world, especially so far toward the Occideat as
Chicago, few gentlemen had the leisure to at-
tend them, they soon fell into tabby- parties,
aud were gradually tabooed. The tabbies
found it difficult to talk even scandal, except of
The weakest sort, without a suffciency OF the
male element present to add stronger flavor Of
suggestion. Clubs being rather failure here,
theY dld not catch the spice Of diluted club
easlp to Keep them on the qui-yiyoi and go
necessarily such entertainments died Of their
pEu inanity. It was quite possible, however,
to get together al the babies, masculine and
feminine.
Actuated by this thought, and determined
hat the whole thing should bs done in style,
THE INVITATIONS
are fret thought of. These consisted year ago
Of three cards; but, next season, the rule will
single sheet of heavy English note-paper,
'o1aething after the following style:
s.ra. Smith requests ths pleasure Of Miss Maggie
Browns company It Fancy.DEesa Juvenilo Reception
ru,le 10, $500 United statea avenue
From s until II o'clock.
{{6s2aast: {6sns;ss: n.s.v.n.
:ost at the lowest estimate, from $40 to $50
Next Mrs. Smith bethinks her Of
THE SUPPER
It costa just as much for these little peo-
pie as for their elders. The snme vi
,ntis a1e served, with the probable result
that the young gourmands will consume much
larger quantities than the older gourmets, and
lav tho foundation Of very active dyspepsia,
which shall entertain them later in life. For
her 100 little guests, then, Mrs. Smith must pay
from $50 to 5000 for their supper.
Though it is to be Lawn-Party, still there
must BE-
FLORAL DECORATIONS
for the house; aud, it will not do to rob their
the florist. From $1c0 to $500 is spent in beau
tifyins the interior OF the house, $50 to 800
in tahle-decoratlons, and from $50 to $500 for /
additional floral arches and various ornaments |
for the grounds. 4 boutonniere is also pre- !
serted to cach little visitor on his or her ar |
rival We lind, then, that from $3.50 TO 5000 is |
the sum that must be spent st the florists
Next there nre awnings and marques to be !
thoaght Of. A large one for the collation., and
another for dancing, will add an additional $50,
uh fsrn fer pha1ka
rest will take another 515. The grounds and
marques are also to be lighted. A calciun-
light will cost from S. to $40, while the neces~
sar7 colored Ights and Chinese lanterns will be
SO more. An extension of gas-Hghts into the
marquees will be $50 at least.
Next, there is
THE cHuDRES's COSTUMES
to be thought Of Master Augustus shall go as
Louis Quatorze." His suit will have to be
male for him, and will cost about 575, as it can
ties will, however, be much more e1.
white silk dress is covered
With marabout feathers, costing $500; agirde
With pendants OF satin-spar. to simulate lciclcs,
md 10 to order, $50; coronet Of satin-spar and
narabout, or her mothers diamonds, diamond
drops and bracelets; white kid-gloses, 81 so;
SIX lose, 50; white kid shoes, SIS, with diamond
tu :kles. Thus, independent Of her jewels, we
t,:;l this young 1ady's dress costing S259*50. 4
..H"scuAud o1 6atln-HpaI pehue, WILL 1ua1Auouk !
!an, and crystal viniagrette, will cost from SIS
lr;rard not usually exceeding $50
On arrival each guest is furnished with
Toauet-card, on which his or her name is en-
sr2'ed. These cost about 910: Later in tho
tTaning, at about Z o'clock, slight reflection is
'erved, o7 lemonade and cake are kept always in
madness in one Of the tents. This may be esti-
mated at 600. 1t 7:30 or o'clock, dancing com
menees. The order Of dancing, printed on tiny
f,9s With pencil attached, costs about s15. Ats
O'clock, supper is served, and the menu is
printed On white satin, copy Of which il given
70 each guest. These cost shout ESQ.
1he cost Of giving such party, then, TO the
soaug Smiths and their 100 little acquaintances,
HAI BE THUS SUMMED Up:
= Invitation. --...$ 5000 to 5000
ssoqutt. 1000 to 1900
vfae7 Of dancing 1000 to 20Go
s4cuu -.......-. 5000 to eu.0u-sS0W TO $500
! iosa1 decorztiops. ops.,-,. 10000 to 600.00
113as,quees and awnings..........-- 5000 TO 75oo
Asa!s Including calcium, lanterns, ao
cn "I1 kas.. sQ1 70 4ou'oo
ss1nppe1. 13o.o0to 10000
S11steS ~ Snithh dress az @Louis
-, Vaatorze, not Including jewels. 750o
e. ~, Miashlpulau '.............. $500
NINTH