Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-24
SOCIAL MAT7ERS.


pearance Of large social gathering. In its
contempt for co9ventionalitieS, our city has
the power OF drawing together its resident
and floating population in an informal man.
| ner that is usually possible only in commu-
mites Of limited size. When our citizens
sally forth as In the holiday season, having
a common object in view, they meet and
greet each other and laugh and chat in groups
upon our thoroughfares with as little re
stra1nt, though with as great decorum, as n
assembled beneath the hospitable roof of a
mutual friend. This warmth of manner and
independence OF unfsvorable criticism ap-
pears especially appropriate 10 the celebrs-
Llon OF Christmas, when, IL ever, all should
feel the strong ties of a common humanity
Moving In aud out among the animated
groups and lingering promenaders, we saw
men as trees walking" or trees as men
walking. as you prefer, suggesting an incur
sion OF dry goods; or, better still, that Dir
nam wood had come TO Dunsinaue," but
come on pleasure bent. and not on hostile
thought intent The Christmas trees thus
borne along made a festive appearance, in
which the many individuals Fastening by,
garlanded with wreaths OF evergreens aud
holly, and bearing crosses. stars aud other
devices for decorations combined 10 give an
exhilaratlng assurance OF the good time at
hand. Adding to the pleasing effect was the
air OF mystery assumed by all who, o -er-
laden with paper parcels and with happy
faces, passed upon their way, etc.
Fine ladies and gentlemen exQuisites have
not the smallest objection 20 carrying bum
dies when Christmas is at hand; rather Il
seems as II the indignity consisted I'm walk
ing the business streets Without one. Amonz
the bright faces in the gay crowd we were
pleased to observe Mrs. Robson, Captain
and Mrs Hot, Mr.. and Mrs. ID. X. Mckee,
Mrs. and the Misses Kilbourne, Mrs. Rogers
Judge Otto, Mr.. Longworthy, and many
more OF the favorites OF society. Col. OOnn
P1att, accompanied by his guests, Mr.. and
means o. drive
The Spanish minister, noble looking M IN
can beauty; Madame Mariscal, the wife of
the Mexican minister; Mr.. Barges, the Bra
lillian minister; Sir Edward and Lady
Thornton and the Misses Tnorutoa and Bal
taZZi Effendi, were among the foreigners
who seemed TO enjoy the novelty OF the
scene, as well as the pleasure of greeting all
Of the society peoPleof the capital. 1t was
a fine pageant, AID If only the oalmy spring.
like weather continues we will have the
merriest Christmas for many years.
Next week opens with many festivitie5.
Monday evening the Army and Navy Club
give their secoad german, and Mrs. RI Ifern
mas invitations out for a german for the
same evening. Miss Mamie Redfern, who
has been at school in New York, where she
has borne of the first honors, has res-rned
nome for the holidays, and The entertain
ment is given in her honor.
During the holidays Miss Leila Ray gives
german. This will be a novelty, a. there
will be only twenty couples, and the ladies'
will all wear fancy costumes.
Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr..
Frank Swayne, son OF Mr.. Justice Swayne,
10 Miss Young, ofToledo. Miss Young Is the
daughter of a former law partner Of Chief
Justice Waite; He is now the wealthiest
banker In Toledo. Miss Waite is 10 be one
Of the bridesmaids. Tue wedding takes place
on the 18th. Judge Swayne and family and
the family of the Chief Justice have already
left Washington for Toledo.
The entire state OF Illinois was in commo-
ton over the approaching nuptials of the
daughter of Mr.. Justice Davis to another one
8 sns S az
in that state, a few days ago.
The engagement of DR.. Baxter, chief meti-
cal purveyor of the army, TO Miss Florence
niece OF the Hon. Otis Norcross, ex-mayor of
Boston. The young lady is handsome and
accomplished. She was the guest of Mr.. aud
Mrs. Henry Willard las; winter, and is now
Mr.. and Mrs. T. ID. Patton returned on
Wednesday from their bridal trip. A new
and beautiful home awaited their return,
and the young couple at once entered upon
the reeponsi abilities of housekeeping
On Tuesday Miss Wendell gives q german
in honor Of Mr.: and Mis-. Patten.
Miss Dunn, daughter Of the Judge Advo-
cate General, is spending the holiday season
in New York with her grand parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Lanier. When Miss Dunn returns
she will be accompanied by her young aunt,
Miss Lanier, VINO will make her DEBUT In 90,
ciety this winter.
Judge and Mrs Howell are enjoying the
pleasure of a visit from theif SON. who is q
student at Worcester, Mass. Judge aud
Mrs. Adds have likewise welcomed q cadet
of their family, who will spend his Christ.
mas vacation with them.
The Postmaster General and Mrs. Jewell
will have their agreeable daughter, Mrs.
Dodge, with them during the holidays.
Mrs. Chapman is making all her prepare
tions for her removal from the city TO Cali
fornia. She has now gone TO visit friends at
the north. Gen. Chipman fingers In Wash
ington only long enough TO bid adieu 70 his
society will sustain in the absence of this
agreeable gentleman and bis popular wife.
Mrs. A. R: Shepherd will be at home on
Tuesdays after Jan. LIST.
Mrs. and Miss Kilbourne will receive their
friends on Fridays, as also Will Mrs. Alex
ander Bruen and Miss Bruen.
Ms seepelary chaRaier yl begin her re-
Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Robson will also con-
tinue theirs on the day custom has assigned
for the cabinet ladies. The wife of the
Speaker is likewise one OF those to whom
Wednesday belongs, and so would be the
wife OF the Vice President If We had Vice
President and II he had wife.
On Monday last Mrs. Bancroft received
many Of her friends, among them the Count
and Countess HoyOs, SepOr and Sonora
SAINT Anna, Mrs. and Miss Fish. Mrs. and
and Miss Kilbourne, Mrs. and Miss Wat
mough and Gen. aud Mrs. Marcy. The por-
trait Of Kaiser Wilhelm received the custom
AIRY tribute Of admirat ton, and many noticed
as the commanding figure of Gen. Marcy
appeared that IL seemed as il the can vas OPP
pOsite the door reflected his face aud form IN
the uniform Of the Emperor OF Germany.
Madame Borges has recommended her
Sunday evening receptions, which are very
informal, ard are restricted TO her most
intimate friends and members Of the diplo
matte corps.
Many Of the friends of Mrs. Fish and Mrs.
Robson on Wednesday called upon them TO
exchange the compliments OF the season. A
few of those making calls on that day were
Mr. Blaine, Judge Richardson, Captain Gore
Jones, Mrs. and Miss Watmough, Miss
Eames, Miss Stout, and many Of the diplo-
matte corps.
Mrs. s. S. Cox has gone to New York for
the holidays, as has also Mrs. Field.
Senator Robertson, OF South Carolina, will
enjoy the recess in Charleston.
Paymaster, Mrs. and Miss Watmough will
spend Christmas with Mrs. Watmoughs rel
atives, who reside in the old homestead, on
the North Penn. railroad, near Fort Wash
iugtOn station.
Mrs. Blaine will again welcome her cousin,
Miss Dodge, (Gail Hamilton,) a. Q member
Of her household this winter.
Mr.; r. 8. Sponord lei Washington on
Tuesday evening TO enjoy the recess with bis
wife and relatives at NeWburyport On bis
return Mr.. 6poford win be accompanied BY
n fo 80 ma ~ A. III. =