The Evening critic., 1883-01-17
SOCIETY,".
what's Going ON in the Social world.

Whatts Going ON in the social world.
To-day society will again "see wheels go
wound" with all the vlgor possible over CLASSY
streets and under lowering skies. The ladies
of the Cabinet Will all receive, except Mrs.
Lincoln, whose mourning draws vail between
her and the gay world. Mrs. Totten presides
Tor her father, the PostmasterG General, and 10
50 genial and charming lady that her recep-
liens are among the most crowded OF the day.
The receptions Of the evening VIII follow so
closely upon those OF the AFTERNOON that an
hours rest between Will have to be postponed
until Lent.
Tho return of Admiral Balch and his family
from Aspinwall is noted with pleasure by all
who know them. Their absence has been
regret, and In the person OF Miss Grace, II has
Withdrawn very attractive element from our
glrlish circle.
Among tho prettiest girls In society this
winter is Miss Sampson. Her dark eyes and
blossom faco light up the old Observatory with
freshness 1t has not known since the depart
ure OF the beautiful Miss Sands.
Z. Miss Sands, by.tho.way, Is now nun In the
convent near Baltimore, and q friend who saw
her q few weeks ago says: "Even IN her first
season she was not as lovely rs she is now. In
society her gentle eyes seemed always TO look
beyond the glitter of the worlds panoply into
fairer regions. Now they have the expression
OF one who has found her hearts desire, and
peace unutterable."
Mr.. and Mrs. Deichman have returned from
their wedding journey, and have taken
house on street for the season. Mrs. Deich.
man has chosen Tuesday-the neighborhood's
day-for her receptions, beginning next week.
Mrs. Keller has invited no less than twelve
of her most agreeable friends to assist her this
afternoon In her arduous duties. A whisper
feminine OF course-is going the rounds that
the toilets OF. these ladies Will be or unusual
elegance, and noticeable even In this winter of
cloth-of.gold.
Mrs. Curtin and her daughter have invited
their friends to n "teu." from 4 to Z, on Mon
day. Their circle is a large one, and tine chief
features OF tho gathering VIII be charming
people and ga delightful time"
Mrs. n. 8. Lincoln has with her-as ustinl-a
bevy OF charming girls, and her Tuesdays are
crowded from . 10 3.
Fashion donned masque last night and
danced through Senator Millers parlors, fol-
lowed by the youth, beauty and fashion Of the
city. The handsome house was thrown open
"from turrct to foundation stone" and with
Its rich colorlng and hanglngs, It's wide halls
and rooms, was good setting for the Jewel
of a party that ran Its dancing race through
In O. short white tulle, garland with grapes,
fruits and flowers. Wheat nodded Its golden
head In tiny punches between the bloom
and rpeness and the sunny smile that
completed the symbolism of "Calfornla." BY
10 o'clock oil the gentlemen had come-such
romance, who, 'for this night only" stepped
out Of their old stories, and laughed and TESTED
and danced as in their palmy days. Shortly
after 10 the ''masks" came trooping In, some
In fancy dress, some with the splendor OF their
ball costumes hid under dominos, but all with
the coquettish silk and lace screens over their
miugated mischief followed, for the
attendants that drove those amia-
one Of them said ''By Jove, 1 don't dare make
pretty speccge5 to any of them for fear 1t Will
be thewrong one" Pre-emlnent among the
dominos were four slender witches, who were
the puzzle OF the evening. Their black cloaks
were all "twins," and, as II this was not
enough, they changed places during the
dances, each giving, the other tho cue Of "the
last word" laughed at them until was
tired, and then laughed again. The most
beautiful character dresses" were worn by
Miss West. of the Legation; Miss Rachel
Sherman, Miss silsbec and Miss Parker.
| The first was "The Mute of
Parsplcl, and the costume was q short red
| black, ard q short blue Jacket; her heavy
| black hair floated over her shoulders, and was
crowned with the ',red bonnet. and she car
ried her fishing net. The second was light
| sea-green satin, etherealized with silken
| gau2e heavily embroidered In pearls and crys-
beautiful hair floated in FURNISHED waves over
| the glittering gown, and was half covered with
tulle veil cleaning with crystals and pearls.
| Miss Silshee, after having no end of fun I'm a
crimson satin domino and mask, appeared
in as Roman Contadina, the rich
| dear little Hollander. Miss Blossom Drum
| was in u gown of Flanders, and Mrs. Cameron
was blush rose In spite of "no fancy dress"
| in n toilet of pink satin. Among tho guests
| were General and Mrs. Grant the General of
| the Army, Senator and Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Ban
croft Davis, Miss Crocker and Miss Lou, of
| California, very pretty pretty toilettes; Miss
McLane, Lieutenant and Mrs. Emory, and,
| indeed, all the best OF Washlngton's
gayest and best society. The supper
was a magnificent affair, terrapin
| and champagne being as abundant
| colors of which accented her beauty forcibly.
| Miss Porter was ''Folly" and her gown was
such n success as to make us reverse the old
proverb and think 1t "wlse to be folly" 1t
| was a short skirt and boddice made OF points
| of red and blue, with gold and silver bells at
| every point, Miss George Kilbourne was very
| charming as "Musette," and Miss Deale ire
| sistbly funny as "a school girl" Miss Pen.
| dleton was very handsome In a dress of tho
Empire" and Miss Elliot was pretty
| as 'sThe Daisy" Miss Ray was a
| dear little ''Pocohontas," and Miss Myers
| a "Zingaria." Mrs. John Davis was a
| Spanish lady, and Mrs. Emory made a
as the daintily-colored creams and ices,
| which, intcrspersed with brown croquets,
cnndied fruits, nOugat and flowers, made the
table an artistic and effective bit of color. The
music was admirable-from the trumpet that
| gave the signal for unmasking to the last
| violin that walled adieu to the most delight
| full ball OF the season.