National Republican., 1883-02-15
TIE SOCIAL WORLD.

Cabinct-Thc New German Minister
Among the COIIors-An Art Convcrsn-
zionc-A Valentine Lunch Party.
At the houses of several of the cabinet Off
GERS there were informal receptions yesterday
afternoon. Mrs. Frelinghuysen was assisted
by her daughters and by Mrs. WiclSham Hoff-
man, and their parlors were quite as thronged
MS on any Wednesday during the season, the
members of the diplomatic corps being par
ticularly noticeable among those who called
ut this hospitabe home.
Mrs. Totten received yesterday, and was
assisted by Miss Anna Totten, Mrs Thomas
keogh, of North Carolina, and Mrs. and Miss
Bradford, of New York.
Mrs. Brewster was not at home yesterday,
but will observe Wednesdays informally after
this week.
Mrs. Teller received those who called yes
terday, but did not hold formal reception
with assistants.
Mrs. Kinsley did the honors for her sister
at the residence of Secretary Chandler, Mrs.
Chandler not having entirely recovered from
her recent indisposition.
Mrs. Keifer did not receive yesterday, and
will leave for her home this evening accom-
panied by her nieces, Misses White and Bush
nell
Mrs. Blaine observes no regular afternoon
Tor her reception day, but Is at home to her
friends every day after 8 o'clock.
Among those calling yesterday afternoon
was the newly arrived German minister Herr
Won Eisendecker, and his wife. The minister
speaks English iluently and with scarcely
perceptible accent, and his bride, who is q very
charming and beautiful blonde, is equally
accomplished in the use of our language.
Having been stationed here once before, Herr
Won Eisendecker finds many of his old friends
to welcome him back to this post.
Aptl n,,l
huyscn will go on to New York tonight to
act as pail bearers at the funeral of ex-Gov.
Morgan, to whom both were attached by the
ties of u long and intimate friendship.
Mrs. William o. Goodman, of Chicago, who
has been spending the winter with her
parents, Senator and Mrs. Sawyer, starts for
her home this morning.
Inc most unique entertainment of yester-
day was n st. Valentines lunch party to
thirty-two young ladies given by Miss Flor
ence Spoflord. The little tables were prottily
decorated with flowers, and at each plate were
miniature bows and arrows and four-leaved
clover designs made of flowers, to each of
which was attached card with valentine
verse written by the hostess. Valentines
sent by mail were brought by the postman at
about the middle of the repast, and each
guest received one of these pretty Enclosures
directed to the care of Miss Spohord. Among
the young ladies were Miss Waite Miss Nor
cross, Miss Russell, the Misses Ramsey, Miss
Ida Miller, the Misses Williamson, Miss
Woods, the Misses Strong, Miss Alley, the
Misses Neal, Miss Richardson, the Misses
Matthews, Miss Calhoun, Miss Nordhof, Miss
Stafford, Miss Dawson, and Others
A conversations on art at the residence of
Hon. Joseph A. Scranton, No. 1341 X street
last night, was a source both of pleasure and
of instruction to those present A small party
nfl la1i
met Col. james Fairman, M. A., at Mr.. SCran-
toms residence and were agreeably enter
tanned by his monologuo on art. Col. Fair
man assigns gradation to the representative
faculties s,placing sculpture above architecture,
but still on low pedestal because dealing
only with form; painting, because COM
bining color and expression with form,
he places on the terrace above sculp-
tuIe; then poetry and music. He gave
epigrammatic definitions of pre-Raffaelleism,
touched with light but bold touch the
dawn of the Renaissance and its effects on
modern civilization and briefly developed the
theory which Swinburne, most markedly
among modern poets, has attempted to reduce
in verse, the informing of art with the
methods of science, to the end that the emo
tional shall be wrought into harmony with
the intellectual. After his monologue Col.
Fairman expressed desire to have questions
on art propounded for his replies, which in
several cases was done. An allusion to
poetry brought request from the audience
that he recite his favorite poem. Col.
+ arman said his favorite poem was one ofhis
own making, and he gave very interesting
account of its composition, and the reason for
his preference. He had been commissioned to
paint the "Auld Brig O. Doom" over which
Cuttysark so hotly pursued Tam O'Shanter.
The old bridge is zealously guarded and
loved by the Ayrshire people, who exhibit it
as relic of Burns, and have built another
bridge for transportation, while the old one
is atiectionately kept free from travel. Tho
poem in question was written under the spell
evoked at sight of the "Auld Briggs" keystone,
under the magic of Burns. 1t was a poem of
much merit, instinct with true poetic fire,
and was recited with admirable dramatic
excellence.
Among the interested participants in this
interesting conversation were:
The Danish minister Mr.. Elmore, the Peruvian
minister, Representative and Mrs. Bowman, Mrs.
Elmer, Mrs. Neal and daughter, Capt. and Mrs.
SS apd @ Moore Ms MISS D aSG M @
Mrs. Bridge, and many ofthe guests of the Ham
ilton.
A pleasing social event was the lunch party
given yesterday by Mrs. James P. MacLean,
of Q street, to Mrs. DR.. Bartlett and Mrs.
Wolcott. Among the ladies present were
Mrs. S. H. Miller, wife of Representative
Miller, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Clapp, of Penn
sylvania Mrs. Robbins, Miss Kasson, and
Miss Hunt.
Among the most pleasant entertainments
given during the season have been the
Wednesdays of Mrs. Fisher, when her elegant
home on Vermont avenne has been thronged
by her many friends. Mrs. Fisher has brill
liant conversational powers, and has been as
sisted by her daughter beautiful and
sprightly young lady, and her niece, Miss
Furness, of Baltimore, who has made many
warm friends during her stay in this city.
ST. VALENTINES DAY.