, 1876-02-06
uasouerades and CHARACTERIZATION
to Lady Washington and
the Centennial,
Weddings and Wedding Anniversaries
Other Entertainments.
4 Score or So Of Clnb Parties, AL Of
Which Were Enjoyable.
11nv the Country Cousins Amused
Themselves.

CONTRACTION IN rAREr-G1y1So.
So little has society been doing this season
,h.t one almost wonders If tho people WHO in
former tiacs gave such splendid entertainments
md cut such an important figure in the social
xe1ld. have really all passed from earth, or
vhether they have been swept from their posi-
tim bv some tidal wave Of misfortune, Where,
for instance. is Mrs. Capucin, whose weekly re-
rpntions in her palatial mansion were the delight
of ,he upper-tendom and the envy OF tue un-
initiated? has she taken unto herself the
ptpions Of the ivory goddess which was
wont to perch in triumphant nudity. upon
her d,nwing-room mantel and flown to
Nhose yoluptuous form WIS wont to be 30
cha.miugly ar,ayed in the choicest product Of
the Parisian modiste, and whose makeup WAS
the admiration Of desparing rivals,-has she,
too. tired Of the rere]ries, the conquests, the
bewilde1ing "Flash of diamonds and glitter OF
pe.rI." End withdrawn into the ho1ier circle OF
domestic felicity? There vera the Misses
Lilac who bnrst upon the enraptured vision OF
tbs society youog man, when they
made their Simultaneous debut last season.
like the dream which haunted Miri-
dole's cphemeral existence They we're
guy, Of wealthy parentage, beautiful Is houris,
and their presence Was considered Indispensable
at the sorees given by the most fashionable Of
the fashlonleaders. But they, too, are gone,
and have left scarcely memory. In consider
ing these aud numerous similar dcfections, the
most phllo5ophic society y-goer is apt to heave
Sigh, and ask himself if thore ever will be re-
turn OF Lae festivities that SO en1iveDed his By
gene cars. The answer, it may be said, does
not respond With readiness to the thought.
What, then, is the real reason for the contract
ing tendency that is 90 manifest in the society
events Of the present winter Perhaps the e1-
plauatiou is not 80 far distant aa to elude the
search Of common-sense. Chicago has passed
double ordeal OF frs, snd though even noH on
= wonderfully sound financial basis. has yet
acquired valuable caution from the lesson of
the past Tie society ladies' have made up their
minds that there is as much pleasure to be de-
from the hugo exhibitions OF toilets that were
once the ONLY criterions Of social standing.
Church entertainments have taken the place
1 crush balls, and private club parties.
meeting ut the residences of tho members, are
aoE more popular than the crowded assemblies
u former Gays. It ia, evidently, an epoch Of
Reform. True enough, this faehion mav not
.ndure, for what eau be mora unreasonable or
6ckls than fashion But, while it lasts. no
Iiue can be more appropriate tor comment and
jndicious pfaise Of 3 return, OF, rather, relapse
into the simpler manners that so adorned our
New England ancestors.
The past week has been devoid Of special in
rident Nothing more important has happened
than select parties given for the purpose Of
Blowing eff the qu1int attire Of the American
1ociety people Of l77G.