, 1874-02-14
rne Expense Of Entertainments for
Children.
tuyenile Parties Costing from $500 to
$780,.
t11 Effects Of Transforming Boys and
Girls into Miniature Men and
Women.

- IN be deprec2ted, 1t ls OF comparat1Fely llttlc
s.,xennepco when contrasted with the relative
.r,onnt Of expenditure which is bestowed upon
SUPPOSED AMUSEMENT OF CHILDREN.
ve sav supposed amusement, because the
,h;,d in whom natural vitality and enthusiasm
s<yo not been spoiled by artificial stimulauts
eli fird greater enjoyment in sunlight, air, not
orcr-doc clothes, and possibly good romp, than
:, al the miniature limitations of grown peoples
,,,t;es and manners which can be arranged for
thpu. So long as they arc boys aud girls to each
o.be1-.he difference Of sex never obtruding it.
ssE as 4 difference Of sex (except inasmuch as
t,e male being usually the stronger, is naturally
tta nrotcctor of the weaker human crcature),-
simple, unart;licial gatherings are the kind which
,mnso them. It il only when the artiG-
,,.1 stimulus which is administered to them in
,bo rsv of entertainments that are fac-similes
IN miniature Of those Of their parents or elders.
,.s developed them into beau3 and bellies, sonc-
tnes at an almost infantile age, that such gath
cr;ncs arc enjoyed. Then do ne see the happy
faces of Children with perhaps sudden gust Of
,sssloa, furious quarrel, with as sudden and
energetic reconciliation By no means. These
$40 ....... -. .--. .. .... ......-..
MINIATURE MEN AND WOMEN,
ri.h all tho passions and petty envy and malice
If the mature social cphemera- Viewed in this
light is it not something oven worse than ex-
t-ayacauco to waste hundreds Of dollars in
making happy children into miserable little
puppets
Setting aside, however, any moral view OF tho
question, and looking at it merely in financial
Icht, let us see what it costs to entertain these
children not yet emancipated from the nursery.
Commencing with the invitations, then: Mrs.
Smith decides that she will give
JUVENILE PARTY
for the benefit OF Master Augustus aged II, and
Miss Katie, aged 9. This will include all the
Young lady's and gentleman's friends, ranging
from tho ages Of to Is. There will 10 about .
hundred Of them. It. shall be d lawn party in
:hs month Of June Possibly u fancy y-dress
nHtir is decided upon. Mrs. Smith hns large
l.vn attached to her country-house. When she
d1st came back from Europe, she gave dejeuners
10 her friends; but as. in this busy Western
world especially 60 far toward the Occidont as
Chicago, few gentlemen had the leisure to at
tend them, they soon fell iuto tabby parties,
ard we're gradually taboood. Tho tabbieB
found it difficult to talk even scandal, except Of
the weakest sort, without suticiency OF the
male element present to add stronger flavor OF
ugeestion. Clubs being rather failure here,
hey did not catch the spice ct diluted club
gossip to keep them on the qui-Tive5 ard so
necessarily such entertainments died OF their
own inauity. It WAS quite possible, howaKc1,
10 get together all the babies, masculine and
feminine
Actuated by this thought, aud determined
thst tho whole thing should bs done in style,
THE INVITATIONS
.7e first thought of. These consisted yesr ago
Of three cards; but, next season, the rule wall
be to send the invitation engraved il script on
single sheet Of heavy English note-paper,
something after the following style:
Mr.. Smith requests the pleasure Of Miss Maggie
Browns company 1T Fancy-Dress Juvenile Reception
to he giren by aizster and Miss Smith, Thursday,
tune TO- 1890 United States avenue.
From 5 until IL O'Clock
{Groqaet pavp
lDandng- H. D. v. +.
These are ordered from the engIavcr's, and
cost, at the lowest estimate, from $50 to $50.
Next Mrs. Smith bethinks her OF
THE SUFFER-.
It costs just rs much for these little peo-
ps a. tor their elders The game Vi
suds are served, with tie probable result
that the young gourmands will consume much
larger quantities than tho older gourmets, and
lay the foundation Of very active dyspepsia,
which shall entertain them later i'll life. For
her 100 little guests then, Mrs. Smith must pay
from s150 to 5000 for their supper.
Though it is to be 4 La"n-Party, still there
must be
FLORAL DECORATIONS
for the house and, it will not do to rob their
Own vines or bushes. these must be provided by
the florist. From 500 to 5000 is spent id beau
tfying the interior Of the house, $50 to 500
in table decorations, and from $50 to $500 for
additional floral arches and various ornaments
for the grounds. A bontonniere is also pre-
sented to e.ch little visitor on his or her ar
rival. We find then, TINT from S200 to 1900 is
the sum that must be spent at the florists.
Next, there are awnings and marqueea to be
thought Of 4 large one for the collation.. and
another for dancing, will add an additional $50,
whilo one or two more for 8 sheltered
rest will taka another $15- The grounds and
rnarqpees are also to be lighted. 4 calcium
Light will cost from IS to $40, while the neccs-
sa1y colored lights and Chineee lanterns will be
<25 more. An extension Of gas lights into the
matquees will bo 500 at least.
Next, there is
THE cH11.DnEss COSTUMES
to be thought Of. Master Augustus shall 20 as
Louis Quatorze." His suit will have to be
made for him, and will cost abou! 575, as it can
ouly be made Of the finest material 3liss ka~
ties will, however he mnch more e1-
1< / white '*' silk " dress ~ Is covered
With rnarabout feathers, costing $500; a girdle
with pendants Of satiu-spar. to simulate icic1cs.
marabout, OF her mothers diamonds, diamond
eal,drops and bracelets; white kid-gloves, $3.50:
silk hose, 50; white kid shoes, IS, WITH diamond
buckles. Thus, independent of her Jewels, VIC
IND thus young ladys dress costing -Z3soU. a
chatelaine OF satin-spar beads, with n1arabous
fan, and crystal riniagrette, will cost from SIS
upF.rd, not usually exceeding $50.
On arrival, each guest is furnished with
roauet-cald. on which his or her name is en-
graved. These cost about $40. Later in the
eFenns, At about 2 o'clock, q slight rejection is
secFed, or lemonade and cake are kept always In
readiness in one Of the tents. This may be eeti-
mated at $40. At 7:30 or o'clock. dancing COM
nences. Tie order Of dancing, printed on tiny.
tans With pencil attached. costs cbout :15. At9
O'clock, supper il served, and the menu is
printed on white satin, 3 copy Of which is given
soesch guest. These cost about $50.
The cost Of giving such party, then, to the
!oung Smiths aud their 100 little acqua1ntances,
MAT BE THUS SUMMED Up:
Cards
nntaton... s 5000 to 5000
Cro4uc.. 1860 to 1890
uder Of dancing 1000 to oo.0o
l!oral decorations ~ ooo.o 90 to. $1,000
Ina5quees and awnings. 5000 10 -ta.oo
1-ehts, including calcium, lanterns, .ooo
supper. cr.....,..,.,,...... ..-. l50.0o to 10000
a!;t.er Smiths dress "a t.Louis
eaatorze, " not Including jewen 75.0o
a. a. Mdslinr1an ".......-.. " 25.0o
@.sa Smiths dress, 'ssnow," -
not including Jewels. .s.....-..... 3o95o
as "El0Yer-GirI n or 4Viy2u-