Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-11-20
Society Matters.

The question is often asked, "Will the COM
ing season be a gay one?" and reply to it is
az puzzling as to the universal query, "WhO
viii be the next President?' II does not seem
probable that the Cabinet will do much en-
pertaining. If any of its members do enter
IN n II Will probably be the two who alone
d d 30 last winter, MeSsrS. Fish and Chand-
! r. the two who can best afford TO be lavish
in their expenditures, and whose houses are
best suited for purposes of hospitality. The
others who keep house are Secretary of War
Cameron and Secretary of the Navy Robe
on, and neither of these have houses large
enough TO accommodate the crowds inseper-
able from evening receptions by the Cabinet.
1t is most probable that the ladies of the Cab
met families will receive as usual on Wed
nesday afternoons mornings in society par
lancel after January 1. 1t is not at all prob
able that any but the most informal recep-
tions will be held prior TO that time by these
ladies. Mrs. Fish is always at home to her
friends on Wednesday when in Washington.
but receives in no more formal manner than
does any lady in private life whose friends
are privileged to make social calls upon her.
Representative Willis, of New York in
tends spending the winter at the Riggs House.
he was in the city yesterday TO make arrange
ments for his family and himself.
There Is rumOr that the President and
MIS-. Grant Will give private ball in jan
uary in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Sartoris This
reminds Inc To inquire on what grounds cor
respondents, in giving deserved praise to Mrs.
Hayes as Mrs. Grants probable successor,
saying that the former would not I'm the White
House set an example of extravaganza TO the
wives of her husbands counsellors. The
Facts do not sustain this inSinuation, for Mrs.
Grant is neither extravagant in her style OF
dress, nor have she and her husband been
disposed to display in their entertainments.
They have given the dinners and had the re-
ceptions which congratulated custom de-
pnanded OF them, and no doubt would have
been glad to have been excused from some of
the latter at least, which, by the way, are not
expensive, there being no refreshments served
al them, also in accordance with long-estab-
lished custom. Ii is true the President ALWAYS
shaking on a "levee" night, but that's not a
considerable item. OF expensive entertain
ments, the President and Mrs. Grant have
gwen enough not to be accused of parsimony
out too few TO be charged with extravaganza
expenditure. Mrs. Grant dresses tastefully
and never shQwily. Shebuys good materials
ana never heSitates to wear the same toilets
TWO successive seasons or have them re-
modelled when their style becomes obsolete
So much having been said and printed in
regard to the extravaganza of women in
washington, and wives having been so often
held responsible for the ruin of their hus-
bands, IL is pleasant TO record an instance on
Inc other side. Ex-Governor Shepherd i'm
the midst OF his financial embarrassments
Is To be congratulated that he has q wife
whose inclinations, as well as her religious
principles, lead her to prefer a domestic life
70 any other. She is the mother of several
little ones, and devotes most of her time 10
their training and to the society of her hus-
band. l am told she has said since his BUSH
ness dlfncnlties began that she would gladly
give up her large house and be perfectly
happy in a smaller and less expensive one.
with such a CHEEKY, contented spirit at home
II Is not surprising that in reply to q friend 4
expressions OF sympathy Mr.. Shepherd lately
SAID, "Oh, well, it's all in a lifetime II need
be can begin over again"
MT. y ledyard Phelps, one of the District
commissioners, has leased the House on
Lafayette Square known as the Decatur
house. Mr.. Phelps resided in China many
General Maynadier, an officer highly es-
teemed in the army throughout his term OF
General Randolph Marcy was in the city
o-day. His family are in baltimore yUhare
they have taken house and propose SPEND
Ing the winter-t"Mrs. Grl1dy" IN Graphic.