The Evening critic., 1882-03-25
SOCIETY,".
what ia Going On In the Social
WAxtI

The three most elegant dinr ers OF last ovcn.
Ing were given by General Beale to General
and Mrs. Grant; by Mr.. tnd Mrs. Bancroft
Davis to MIR. ana Mrs. Fish; ana by Senator
and Mrs. Hale to the Baron and Baroness do
Fnya. AZ the first besides the President
there were present Senator and Mrs. Logan,
and other old friends OF the distinguished
guests. The dinner was of the most elegant
description, and the wines were Of very rare
Vlntngcs. The flowers were superb, and the
quaint old house, with Its grating of modern
Decatur mansion, ana was the gaycst house
in Washington until that fatal morn
ing when Barrons shot sent the master
bnck TO his wife piece OF bleeding
clay. For years the clothing he died
In was kept hanging in the front hall, inclosed
in the square lantern of Furnished brass and
glass that had lighted their friends I'm and out
Of the hospltablo door through 80 many
seasons. Under their shadow the corridors
and rooms grew silent, and tho mirrors re-
ilected only the blackrobed figure OF Mrs.
Decatur, grown old before hor time, and bo-
come wrapped mp In religious exercises She
removed TO Georgetown, ana "beyond the con
vent walls s. led life almost as devoted as
that Of the Sisters In the cloister. But to re-
Turn TO tho dinners. That givon by Senator
and Mrs. Hale was Of sixteen covers, and in
cludcd In Its enjoyment Mr.. de Billie, Senator
and Miss Bayard, Mrs. Don Cameron, now quite
restored, and as lovely a Provence rose;
Mr.. and Mrs. John Jay, Mr.. and Mrs. Robesou,
Mr.. and Mrs. Barlow, and others.
The many friends of General and Mrs.
Rucker viii be glad TO learn they have taken
n house on I street for the Spring and Sum-
mer, with n view TO making their home per.
mancntly In this city. Their eldest daughter
is with them-a young lady OF much wit and
culture.
To the regret OF every one Miss Annie Lee
docs not seem to gather strength as rapidly as
could be desired. She has been ordered to
Fortress Munroe, but the Hygeia is so crowded
that there ia not a room to be had for love or
money. New YORK people are in tho prepon
derancea at Old Point, for 1t has become n
fashion among them to make up parties and
run down there 10 get out of the way of ,nc
"March blows.
Mrs. Landcrs Johnston gives an informal
musicale this evening. Her charming daugh-
ter starts for Boston on Monday to hear Patti
sing, and viii not return TO the city for some
months.
Miss Sallie Rucker, so pleasantly remembered
as the guest of Miss Sherman during the past
season, viii not Join her family for some time.
She is visiting her sister, Mrs General Sher.
idan, at her home, in Chicago, and has too
many friends there TO admit OF short stay.
Miss Hillard, who, while here as Mrs. Green
Clay Goodloe's guest, won such hosts OF
friends, has made the most brilliant match OF
the two last seasons. She married Mr.. Apra.
ham 5. Patterson. OF Philadelphia, and her
house, equipages, toilets, Jewels and entertain
ments are of the most elegant. They have
taken cottage at Narragansett, where they
Will go as soon as possible to spend the season
Tonight the Rifles fair closes, TO the regret
OF all who have shared Its pleasures. There
is much excitement over the approaching
lottery" and the grand prizes are handsome
enough TO warrant any amount of expenditure
in tickets. Besides those already mentioned
there arc three at Mrs. Robert Walkers pretty
table that are coveted by many-the exquisite
'spread," ''shams,'' ''splasner''- mats
of cardinal satin and old Convent lace; the
group contributed by Rogers, his ''Wounded,
TO the Rear" and magnificent oliye-green
piano cover, embroidered in old gold silk
There is another prize at this table, not in the
lottery, but which is the romance of the fair
Four silken hand-painted banners, the work
of young lady, which one OF her admirers
defying all competition, has declared his in
lion OF purchasing, no matter what value
may be put upon them-as she is belle, this
challenge has produced quite ripple; anC
The price OF the banners will doubtless go fai
toward equipping some new !" Rife"