Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1876-03-16

SeasOl, ~ opening llc.t NpufS
every Wednesday afternoon, be-
tween the Isl II January and Lent,
TO all vino may seek admission.
These receptions are costly affairs.
Not only do they involve the at
tendance Of one or two extra SER
wants, but the refreshments pro-
videa fos several hundred people,
though the menu be simplifed as
much as possible, must necessarily
he very expensive. MOI is this
all. The wife of a member of the
Cabinet is expected TO return ut
least Osce, the calls made upon
her on her reception days, the
number calling averaging about
eight hundred persons. One We'd
nesday during the late season
1000 persons called at the resi-
dence of one Of the Secretaries.
To return calls by wholesale, in all
parts of the city, necessitates the
use of n carriage, and while the
public make such q demand upon
the Cabinet ladies, no II should
wonder that they are forced to the
consideration Of ways and mean
of providing themselves with one.
The calds necessary for wholesale
visiting are an item to be consider
ed. One lady of the Cabinet is
authority for the statement that
for the short season Of 1875, two
weeks shorter than that just con
cluded, her visiting cards cost her
$40. AS for the refreshments at
the daylight receptions, the sim
plest lunches, we are informed,
bring tue cost of each of these en-
tertainments, including the hire Of
extra servants, up to fifty or sew
enty-fve dollars. Evening recep-
tons are, OF course, yet more eX-
pensive. Two or three thousand
names are not uncommon on the
visiting list Of the chief of q De-
partment. Surprising 1920 per-
sons are to be invited to an even
ing party, the cards of invitation
become 4 matter Of no little con
sideration in estimating incidental
expenses. Exclusive Of the plate,
the cost of which is $l2, the cards,
envelopes and engraving costs
about four cents for each invita-
ton, or for 1920, $SS. Extra ser
wants are Indispensable at these
~soireeS, three or more in the din
ing-room, two maids at least in the
ladies' cloak-room, and men to take
charge Of the gentlemen's coats
and hats. The supper is, Of course,
the chief expense; and that it is a
great one is too evident to need
demonstration. House-rent makes
u heavy drain upon the salary of q
member of the Cabinet. An un-
furnished house, not large enough
for the giving therein of evening
entertainments, takes 5000 out
Of the $4,000 per annum which
his country pays him for his
services. A carriage costs about
$l05 per month. Upwards Of
800 per month must be expended
in servants hire, for no less than
five servants can attend TO the
wants of a family Of three or four
persons, when the public compels
the mistress of the house to give
up so large a share Of her time to
the discharge Of social obligations.
From $4,000 to $4,000 is the
very smallest amount with which
a member of the Cabinet n man
age to 90 through the year, keep
ing up such an establishment as
will meet the demands society
makes upon him, Taking this
view Of the situation, one Of two
things must be done, If scandals
are to be prevented in future. Sal.
aries must be raised or social obi
cations involving any considerable
outlay Of money must not be re.
garded as imperative. That the
latter course is possible, and YET
society needs lose nothing in the
way of rational enjoyment, can bC
proved by the universal popularity
Of the receptions at the White
House. No refreshments dre sery
ed there, and the lady of the White
House IS not expected to return
them or make any special acknowl
edgment thereof, yet it is uniyer
sally the subject Of comment how
thoroughly delightful are the after
noon receptions at the Executive
Mansion. The same people attend
them week after week, and indulge
in expressions of unfeigned regre'
when the series is brought to :
close. Let the cabinet families be
encouraged to follow this example
in the future, and we need know
no more Irrational disgraces."
----1p0 E
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ELEC'
Ts0N.
BosroN, March II, $50 P. NJ