Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-04
AFTER MATH.
Echoes from the Vanderbilt Ball
Room.

From the New York Sun.
The Vanderbilt ball was q very expensive en-
tertainment, given to people who are Just as
much tired and worn out by entertaining as by
being entertained. In England they call this
class Of people ''society mob. but such term
would be utterly inappropriate in young, SEN
sitive and gawky community like this, where all
social amenities have high civilizing signif-
canoe. Apart from that the idea Of the ball
was conceived and carried out by three or four
OF the most charming accomplished and richest
young ladies of this country. 1t is therefore
needless to say that everything was tasteful and
delightful But there is a reverse to every
medal. Old, sober-mnded men ask themselves
whether it Is advisable to make such dis
play OF wealth and luxurious living at q
time when the working classes are in a
state OF serious fermentation all over the
world. Communism and socialism are pro-
crossing almost as fast In this Country
as they are abroad. and nothing fosters and en-
boldens either of them more than the ostenta-
ton OF the rich. Some kind-minded persons
argue that entertainments Of this kind are both
charitable and patriotic. for they cause money
to circulate and give work to those whose lot it
Is to toll. This is sentimental rubbish. The
needy American wOrkingman and working
woman do not make a cent by the importation
OF Worth's dresses, the purchase of new dia-
monds at Tiffanys, or the resetting of old family
jewels. The money spent in torn and soiIed
laces, velvets and satins, as well as in spilled
champagne and untouched daintes, does not do
people than a saturnalia of bad whisky and
smashed crockery and furniture in barrOom
row. The unprOductve nature of the eXpendi-
ture is in both cases the same.
The royalty and nobility of the old world
have at all times used eXtravagant pageants for
the purpose of enslaving or captivating the
masses But they had a principle, tradition
prejudice. or superstition, to support In
this case there is no motive of this kind. The
feStlvlty represents nothing but the accumua-
ton OF immense masses of money by the few
out of the labor of the many All that the old
and great city of Moscow has voted for the
forthcoming pageant of the Cars coronation is
200, 600 roubes, which at the present rate of ex-
change makes about 100000. Mr.. Wander
bits ball is said to have caused an expenditure
of twice that amount, the difference in the
nature OF the two festivities notwithstanding.
Another queer point is that while the car
himself will spend much more money than his
guests, In our case the guests spent much more
money than the host. Men well versed in the
practical side of social entertainments estimate
that the total cost of the ball could barely foot
up $4,000 They put down flower decorations
at $1,000, supper at 50 Co., wines and lighter
refreshments at So. 600, and the sundries at an
other $4,000 The expenditures of the guests
on the other hand. are estimated at an average
of $3.50 for lady and 800 for gentleman
There were over 1000 invitations issued, and
fully 800 persons attended; so the grand total
OF the money spent can be easily figured out.
The supper was the only thing which severe
judges crlticise in arrangements. The enter
tanment might have taken quite another
aspect If the element of nationality had been
in some way OF other introduced into it. But.
as it stands, 1t was American only in it's extra
Hagance. In all the rest it was thoroughly for
eign-in costumes, characters, fabrics aces
dances, music, refreshments and everything
else.