The Evening critic., 1882-03-08
SOCIETY,".
what is Going on In the Social


world.
The mardi gras fcte at New Orleans grows
more elegant and elaborate with every year
that passes, and do not think, in It's his
tory il ever reached such point of mag
nificence as this last celebration. Instead
of the usual carnival characters, the
Knights of Momus gave scenes from the
Ramayuna, illustrating it with gorgeous
ness of coloring, grouping of figures, and
a fidelity to the spirit of the Indian poem
that can scarcely be imagined. The three
most striking were the Island of Lauka,
where Sita was imprisoned; the combat of
Rama aud Ravana, and the death of Sita.
The first was palace supported by four
columns, and surmounted by q lofty dome
and four mInarets 1t was over-run With
jasmine vines in full bloom, roses, and pas.
sion flowers. A coral grotto, brilliant with
stalactites, surrounded 1t. Through this
grotto, in perspective, the sea could be
seen, its transparent waters seeming to rip
pie in the sunset, whose pink flush was re
fiected back from the crystal pavement.
This pavement was studded with stage
jewels of the mostglowing colors the steps
of the temple simulated coral, and the
bowers glittered with a marguerite Of brass
and mother of pearl. A garden surrounded
three sides of the building, rich in tropical
plants and trees of twenty and thirty feet
in height; peacock strutted and shrieked
in its midst, and bird of Paradise spread
its rainbow fan among the palms. The
action portrayed in the second named scene
was immense, and the costumes gorgeous;
the car of Rama was one of the most exqui-
site pieces of workmanship in the procession.
1t was of celluloid (ivory) in the shape of
an annunciation lily. It's wheels were lac.
quered with FURNISHED brass, and inlaid
with stage jewels; an arc of FURNISHED
brass passed over the horses backs, from
which depended hundred bells, tuned to
different notes, and the horses were draped
with cloth of gold, and harnessed
in gold studded harness. A can
opy of cloth of gold, and a
sun disc of FURNISHED brass scales hung
above Rama, who, clad IN oriental stuffs,
fairly scintillated with jewels and armor.
In the last, Madhavi, the Goddess of Earth,
appeared seated on her throne. Its back
was covered with mother of pearls, Damas-
Gus steel, silver and gold plating and hun
dreds of stage jewels-diamonds, rubies,
emeralds and pearls, all inlaid in such ia
tricate patterns as to produce the happiest
effects in color 1t rested on a lotus flower,
about which lay several lotus buds, all sup
ported by dragons. Beside Madhavi stood
two elephants, trumpetiug with appraised
trunks, and before her stood Sita, waiting
for the earth to receive them both in its
and her votary were superb, and the faces
of both beautiful in the extreme.
The only Cabinet receptions to- day will
be held at the houses Of the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of the Treasury.
The President gives social dinner to-
night. The table will be laid in the private
| dinipg-room, and there will be but twenty
| four covers. The guests will be the Cabinet
| officers and their wives, Mr.. and Mrs.
IL. I 4 ii 1. a..
| for he has made his mere name title in it.
self, Senator and Mrs. Mcpherson, Senator
and Mrs. Hill, the President of the Senate,
Senator and Mrs. Edmunds, and Senator
and Mrs. Hale, the President himself occu-
| pying the twenty-fourth place.
| Baron Won Schaeffer and Mr.. Romero
presented their credentials yesterday, and
| were introduced by Secretary Frelinghuy-
| sen to the President. There was a grace
ful interchange of courtesies, Mr. Arthur
being very happy in his welcome to the
two foreign Ministers.
| report is going the rounds to the effect
that Mrs. Fitzpatrick (nee Valdevieso)
will leave her native country Chill, and
come to the United States her object being
to educate her children in the land and
language of their father, whom she idol
lied. We hope it is true, for she was the
daintiest, loveliest little lady we ever had
among us.
The Secretary of State will give his usual
reception tomorrow evening or, perhaps
it would be better to call 1t uausual, as il
is so much more agreeable than the gen
erality of official parties. The selection oi
guests is judiciously made and the invita-.
tions much sought after.
The reception at the house OF the Secre-
tary of the Navy will take place this even
ing, but both the host and hostess will be
absent, the invitation to dinner at the
White House obliging attendance. Mis-:
Hunt and her pretty friend will rccei e.
however, and their pleasant, social quail
ties will ensure the enjoyment Of theil
| guests.
Gen. Grant will arrive next week and
will spend a few days at the White House
en- route for Mexico. He will be gladly
welcomed, for no one has ever left kindliel
memories than the great soldier and true
| friend.
The trouble Mrs. Mary Clemmer has hat
with her eyes this winter has been serious
loss to the reading public, for her work ha
been almost entirely suspended.
Miss Edmunds the youngest daughter o
the Senator, has been quite seriously sick
but is now convalescent.
The death of Mrs. Berry, the mother o
Mrs. Col. Wall, is u source of deep regret Il
all who knew her. She had the tenderes
heart and quickest sympathies, and nj
sorrow was ever brought to her that sh,
didn't comfort or relieve. Her pure nature
made her life lovely, and her childlik,
faith robbed death Of all its dread. Sh,
leaves memory that should be ricf
heritage to her daughter.
Mrs. Secretary Lincoln, who has been 81
Ill, is better, but is scarcely yet able t.
resume her place in the gay world.
Lyons, share d. Go.
Some of the letters received at tho city