, 1875-02-07
SOCIAL ENTERT TAlNMENTS.

EuALL We HAVE 4 CIASHEs
70 tie Editor cf 7He ck;-aSo 117ours:
CHICAGO, Feb. I'll saw an estimate not long
aso of the cost OF social entertainments in Chi
cago, pntting it quite beyond tbs reach OF mod
crate means. or eensibte people, to ba fashlona~
ble. Floral decorations costing from S5oo to
$1,000; cards aud invitations from 800 to $500;
caterer from 81 600 to 81. 500; toilets for differ
ent occasions ranging in costllness and elegance
from perhaps $500 to 81. ooo,-givins figures and
facts sonewha. startling to one OF simpler tastea
and cuie:er walks, a2d that o1:ght to reform the
society de10tce-
The desire to DO 'comns il faat in naan-
uers in dress, and in style ef entertainment, IS
the one desire which makes spcnd.hr.fte anu
which ends in bankruptcy. To keep up appear
ancas to outshino and Guido ones nelehbor IN
elegance of dress and cos.l:ncss of entertain
1neuts, seem to DC the highest ambition Of
many. # Mrs. 4 appears in velvet, point lace
aad diamonds. Mrs. g. living opposite, must
equal, if not excel. her in tho ele-
geuce OF her Gioss at tho ne1t re-
ceotion OF ball. Should Mr. e1pend
80, 900 in one grand display for the admiration
and envy Of his hosts Of acGuainsancea, notify
ing all not favored by a card Of invitation
through the daily press OF ths laces and gEaces
TINT adorned his spacious halls, 1audable am
bi,ion is at onca awakened in his rival. ar- D, to
exceed all this by few hundred more guests,
more lavish appointments, md moro pro-
nonnced description tho next morning, all Of
which eases his mind OF any doubts as to his po-
sition being assured. Thus Ii 1t bY following
tho example of these sham great, Iather than
tbs truly great that society largely regulates It's
usaces. Instead OF making clesance sabserF1ent
to convenience, Of copying the ways OF the really
hest or following out our own ldeas OF pro-
priety, it is simply life I" a Ia mode without fit
ness in our times, our means, Or our tastcs. Ii
We consider all this e1trayasaoce in detail, the
faced friends and relatives, falsely educated
children, stinted dependents. neglected cha1i-
Ties md observe the anxiet;cs and moral celin-
ouencies in which it involves its .votarles, we
shall renlize not only the folly but tho eSl OF
such silly ambitious.
Tho yerv name Social Entertainments is
a u1isnumor, as they are usually and
foshiouably conducted .. the present
dav. in reality decreasing the amount
of socia; intercourse, and greatly deteroratins
its Quality. For it we pass By those who maze q
di;p,ay merely for notot1cty. aud to establish
their position, nc still find others who wish to
maintain the place which from real merit they
hare PERHAPS long held in good Society, yet are
too honest and prudent to exceed their means.
En IN meat the claims upon their hospitality
Which this position demands. theF are compeHeu
hv the customs which require them to make e1-
trayacaut preparations, and provide costly re-,
freshments, to issuo their lnvltatlons Wlth OUT
little regard to the comfort OF mutual ntucss oi
Their rtcets sircc it incurs far less expense ana
troub!o to provide for and entertain many on
ono. or At most two, occasions, than to do thiA
for few on many occasions. Thus
1ScoN1EN1ESTLT LAEGE ASSEMBLIES
are made Of naoE who never oe1oto nc. u ~, ~
tuallT Indifferent with just few feal irienos
scattered here and there among the restless
arayinC crowd who fill tie rooms. orcraiow into
the halls, and congregatc on the stal'e. Aoc1-
motion ia wcll-nish 1mPos6ole' therefore eacn
one is expected to stand Tor many hours, giving,
With charming amiabllity, small-talk IN return
for the pothinEB from oTeey one WHO cnances g
drift near them, conceslinG all y.wns and oofoa
expressions, while va1nly endearoElnS to forca
themselves into the belief that they arc enlo!ins
who attomp. to dance in the very small
snace allotted them by dint Of much squeezing
ana crushing must be indescrlbably great luds-
ing from the giddy whlrl which they keep up 10
pcrseveringly till the ''wce sma' hours despite
liz havoc made with the lovely trains Of tulle,
and delicate tinted silke, tie drooping, crushed
garlsuds Of flowers trailing after them as they
HThirl in Wild confusion, entanSied ami ent2o-
CLING in sreeping trains.
THE DEAR LITTLE DELICATE CREATURES :,
ran Guidance the Btoutest partner, aud submit
to such crushing, heat, and discomtorr a. tnest
fra;l constitutions could never endure except
when floating away in the arms OF somo mascu-
line friend-or stranger {as tho case may be)-,
to the tune of Strauss last waltz. bow much
more real enjoyment could be had in smaller
parties, composed OF friends intimate enough "a
haye some bond Of thought and sympathy in
conmon. having similarity of tastes and acquire
meuts, for which one could open ones doors
v;tl,out all the discomfort aud expense nov Mt
tendinc even small gatherings, Here We not ntl
in such mortal terror Of Mrs. Grundy and hel
toady Jenkine- =.
social gatherings drive away or
nr1vT: Isro DISHONESTY ASD INJURIOUS HABITS
-na,r and ahut out many others. who are fitted
- cnioy and need the refining influence Of 50
h;etr No: few men and wornen,, and those
The least nssa and t1s eGa sD
117,ch with every season seem to grow more
,.rish n1sh md more meaningless. Men tlsed o.
atsnd,p about in dr&vlnE-rooms taxing non
ss1ua aa sd trTing TO look happy. seek in clubs o.
n notsI Iobbies fof society more 1eai' to 'a5 m