Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-06

SAf ABOUT T-SOME OF THE FEATURES OF
% WASHINGTON sOCIETY-THE EXPENSE OF
FIOURIsHING IN IT-AoNEY VS.. POSITION.
The rudy glow was slowly fading in the
western sky, the twilight had touched with its
quieting influence the bustling streets as re-
porter Of The STAR sat in the Riggs House
watching the electric light grow brighter as the
surrounding atmosphere became more obscure
from the approaching darkness. While sitting
there he was joined by an acquaintance, cigars
were lighted, and desultOry conversation
sprang up. Perhaps it was the influence of the
peaceful twilight hour, but political topics
seemed to have lost their interest and finally
the conversation drifted to social matters. The
gentleman was one whose cultured mind,
pleasing address, and brilliant CONVEX
orite In society circles and he is always sure
OF warm welcome. He goes out a great
deal, and during the past season has been con-
slant In attendance on several occasions. After
speaking Of the gayety of the past season and
the brlliancy of the entertainments, the reporter
said:
"Well, now that the season is over, what is
the outcome; that is, how many engagements
have resulted?"
COMMERCIAL VIEW OF THINGS
The gentleman smiled at this rather CONNER
cal estimate of the result of social season, but
said:
'There have been quite number of engage
ments announced already, and have heard of
several Others Looking at the past season from
this standpoint, which is not usual. in quite so
bald manner as you have put it. 1 think that
It may be regarded as very successful The
prizes In the matrimonial market the desirable
catches have been carried Off and the fortunate
winners have been the recipients of numerous
congratulations One young lady with fortune
OF between four and five hundred thousand
dollars is announced to be engaged to young
army officer and another with perhaps larger
fortune to young lawyer. 1 never re-
member to have seen In Washington
society so many pretty girls as dur
ing the past season. and they have
as rule been well provided with worldly goods,
Which is consideration you know. l don't
know that l am mercenary in such matters. but
| agree with Tennyson's northern farmer.
Don't thou marry for mummy. but go where
mummy is On the other hand. there have been
desirable catches among the men, and altogether
the season has been good one. But it is over
now. The pretty girls will go home and prob
ably we will never see them again. Those that
have not succeeded in matrim onial projects will
retire and try again another season."
THE ATTRACTION HERE FOR THE FAIR SEX
''Why do SO many girls come here each win
ter? What is the attraction" asked the re-
porter. by way of arousing the young man ON
a melancholy train of reflection
'The attraction is mainly the number of
young army and navy officers that are here
during the winter. They are considered eligible
parts on account Of the social position which
their connection with the service gives. That
is considered as an equivalent in match when
the girl has money. The one furnishes social
position, the other money. Now, for instance
when an officer in the navyis ordered to foreign
port. he has the e7atree at once to the best
society, and while might go there and stay
months with my wife and never make an ac-
quaintance. So you see the army and navy men
have it all their own way in society,""
sit must be rather expensive for young men
to go out in society here?"
''Oh! no it isn't. you see everybody under
stands the circumstances and they don't
expect the men to go to any expense.
They, know that the young officers
and they can't afford money for luxuries. Then
the other men are generally in government en-
plOy and on small pay, SO you see the men are
not expected to have money, and therefore the
expenditure is not expected"
GENTLEMAN'S SOCIAL DUTIES.
81 should Think" suggested the reporter
s'that when gentleman has been entertained
by lady that he would want to make some
return"
II have no doubt but that he would If he
could, but he can't here in Washington and.
what is more, it il not expected. You never saw
young man take q lady to the opera in this
city: The girls go with their parents, or rich
uncle, and the men 60 bv themselves. When
you see young man in an opera party, you
can make up your mind that he has been in
vited by the girls mother"
"What use is young man then?" was the
surprised question.
pected to GO where he is invited and make him.
self agreeable to the ladies. The only expense
that this entails Is dress suit. So far as ex-
pense goes man can do society here cheaper
than in any other city, and don't mean any re-
Election on the character OF the society either
| 1t Is simply because circumstances are con-
sidered. Now look at the expense. There is
the dress suit in the first place. Then there is
$40 per year for membership in some club that
gives germans. gentleman invites lady to
one Of these club germans and that is con-
sidered equivalent to three parties and one
dinner. Social scores are thus easily wiped out
and not much money wasted"
SOCIAL. POSITION VERSUS WEALTH
sIf the men are so poor, don't see why the
girls want to come here?" put in the reporter
'Of course young army or navy officer is
poor, but then he has social position, and that
keeps the balance. The other men are not
encouraged to be anything more than useful in
entertaining guests at an evening party and
| making themselves agreeable. A more inti-
u19to acquaintance 10 Scuciotiy lIOWHcU
upon by the family. These things are little
different here. girl is expected to have
money and a man is expected to have
position. The combination. you know, Is the
acme OF human ambition. But this has always
been the condition Of society In this city, and
every year it seems to me that it grows more
brilliant, and the whole country contributes to
1t the flower of its youth and beauty"
There are good many bachelors and Wild
overs now among our public men7" said the re-
porter.
eyes, an unusual number, and It IL always q
surprise when you come to know them person.
ally that they are not married. But In nearly
every instance there Ii . romance in their lives
some disappointment. The secret Of great
deal of bachelorism II that the girl he wanted he
couldn't get and the one he could get he did
not want But the pretty girls here this year
did not seem to make any break In the ranks
and the old boys are still there"
TEE FUNERAL or HON. HORACE MAYNARD, ex-
Postmaster General, took place at Knox
VILE, Tenn, yesterday afternoon. The fun
eral Grafton was delivered by Rev. r. Il
Sturges, pastor OF the Second Presbyterian
church, Of which church. Mr. Maynard Was an &C.
tive member. The remains were inferred IN Gray
cemetery. The Fryt, second. and Third Assistant
Postmaster1<3 enerals ana NessTA A. A. Freeman,
NJ