National Republican., 1883-12-15
THE GAY SEASON.


A Formidable List Of Receptions and Other Events
Announced
The Butterflies OF Fashion Trying Their
wings-Things Ss Light as Air.
1.-THE society department Of THE NATIONAL RE
PUBLICAN will, from and including this. date be
under the same management as last winter It Is
intended to make these columns feature of each
Saturdays issue of the paper, while the leading
events of the week in this line viii appear on the
morning afler their Items intended for
publication under the above headings must be sent Ia
before Friday night to insure their being used.l
Society at this stage of tho season is chiefly
q feint and q subtertugo for tho genuine
thing, and Washington society with all that
that term implies will not be in working
order until tho assembling of congress after
the New Year. Every one is boarding her
strength for the long weeks Of tho real sea-
son, and It is even unkindly limited that the
ladies are wearing their old party dresses to
December entertainments, and saving their
new gowns for tho carnival time that pre-.
cedes the final Ash Wednesday of Feb. "a.
Matthew Arnold, with his wifo and
daughter, are coming here chiefly to
see congress in session, and that
wonderful, intangible, incomprehensible and
indescribable body known as Washington
society" going through its evolutions. Mr..
Arnold knew all about il and declared his
opinions in print year since, but having
founded his opinions on Democracy"
Through Ono Administration, and "a
Washington Winter" he not only has to
learn the whole thing anew, but to unlearn
what he Cleaned from those fanoiful ro-
mances. His criticisms before and after
knowing all about it will be interesting for
comparison to students of ethics.
THE CHEERFUL PROSPECT.
Mrs. Langtry has been living on board her
special car this week, and has enjoyed
seclusion on her side track near tho depot
which could not have been had at any hotel.
Fashionable society has made q wonderful
rally at the theater each night. Her act
ing has received considerable praise
and some calls. before the curtain,
but her gowns have brought down the
house. Every one of them. it is noticed,
discreetly wells her much criticised arms. In
the "Hunchback" she shone respendent in
gold colored satin over q white satin petit
coat, and, as "an arrangement in white and
yellow" would have melted Whistters heart.
Another gown was of fuchsia red velvet and
brocade, trimmed with broad lace in Vene-
tian point pattern, wouen of gold thread and
the object of the applause was unmitakable
when she swept out in the superb white satin
wedding dress embroidered with opal tinted
beads, draped with Brussels point flounces
half yard deep. and neck, corsage, and
wrists blazing with diamonds.
Ex-Governor Pscheco, of California was in
the city last week on his way to the City of
Mexico, where he has spent the greater part
of this last year. He has important business
interests in that country, besides being con-
nected by family ties with many of the
prominent men of Mexico. Mrs. and Miss
Pacheco spent the summer at Richland
Springs, N. Y, Mrs. Pacheco being confined
to an invalid chair much of the time and
rendered quite helpless with rheumatism
They returned to New York city month
ago, and were making preparations to 60 to
Mexico for the winter, when her malady in
creasing Mrs. Pacheco decided to remain in
New York rather than hazard the long
sevons' days journey via New Orleans and
Vera Cruz. They are at present staying ut
16 West Twenty-second street. New York.
Our southern exchanges speak in high
praise of Miss Annie Story, of this city who
is the leading lady in Thomas Keenes dra-
matte company. The New Orleans Times
says: Miss Story rendered the part of
ophelis very artistically. Her grace of car
riage and sweetness of voice contributed much
to her success. She had a perfect conception
of the character aud did her work WELL" The
Galveston papers say that A." she is peculiarly
fitted for the part of Ophelia and played it
faultlessly," and that "she has admirable
originality and makes Ophelia her best part"
Mr.. Charles Hanford, of this city, who is also
with Keene, receives much praise. Much to
the regret of his friends here, Mr.. keene will
not be in Washington this season.
Two german clubs are already organized
for the winter, and both the Bachelors club
and its later rival will give four germans dur
ing the season. The proposed arrangement
will give one german to each of the eight
weeks of the season, and the dancing COM
munity is already on tiptoe at the prospect.
Both committees are being urged to choose
any other evening than Thursday for their
entertainments that being the day that de-
mands the greatest tax in the way of after
noon calls for the ladies, and is also the even
ing on which the secretary of state holds his
regular card receptions.
The wonderful acoustic qualities of Castle
Stewart received much praise on the evening
OF the Blue Anchor concert, and tho great
size Of the ball room, which is the largest
apartment in any private house in the city,
was great surprise to those not familiar with
the interior of the feudal looking pile. The
kindness of Mrs. Stewart in lending the use
of her house was much appreciated, and 1t is
for the Blue Anchor society from the concert.
So full a report of the concert was given in
THE REPUBLICAN of Thursday morning that
little remains to be mentioned in this
column,
Representative and Mrs. Belford, of Colo
rado are keeping house at 10l4 Fifteenth
street. The death of their little daughter,
Bessie, this summer was crushing blow to
both of them, and the sympathy of their
friends is being extended to them in this time
of their sorrow. All who saw that little Aaxen-
haired baby realized what ray of sunshine
she was in their home and can appreciate tho
deep grief of her parents at her loss Mrs
Belford has the rest of her children with her,
and will have young lady from Denver TO
pass part of the winter here as her guest.
M. Remenyi, the Hungarian violinist, who
is a man of unusual literary tastes and gifts,
is writing out a collection of his aphorisms
for the Current, the new magazine whose
first number is to appear at tho holiday sea-
son. M. Remenyi is now in New York, rest
ing from long concert tour, and will soon
come to Washington ito make q visit 10 per-
sonal friends In February he will give
another concert here.
People whoare sen ling Christmas cards and
presents by mail SHOULD be reminded of the
fact that through earelessness and stupidity
on the part of the senders some 96,s0S bundles
came to tho dead letter office last year aud
t,N.. Al. Il