National Republican., 1883-12-29
DAYS OF DELIGHT.
Washington So,1ty Making Ready for New
Years Festivities
The Real Business Of the Season About
g TO Begin,
Bright PrOspsc. for One "Unsnding Round
Of Pleasure"
Tho People who VIII "Recelve "-Per-
sonAi Gossip and chat.

Tho unfortunate weather Of the past week
has added somewhat 10 the lull which gem
orally takes place in society during the holi-
day season, and afternoon visiting has quite
come to standstill. The leading events of
the week were the germans at Mrs. Bona
parties and at Gen. Sturgis's quarters at the
soldiers home on Monday evening; the chill
drons parties at the residence Of Attorney
General Brewster Christmas eve, and at
Assistant Secretary Daviss on Christmas day;
dinner by Mr.. and Mrs i. w. Gerard on
Wednesday; reception by the Cosmos club,
and german by Miss Katy Beach on Thurs
day evening; q german by Miss Emile Thom,.
and the reception at the Russian legation
last night.
The business of afternoon calls, the making
of which constitutes the chief end of WASH
ington life for the next two months, was
ID never Ia worse need of regulating than just
now. The common custom for each lady TO
! have one day In tho week for receiving her
friends, and that day to be ordained by tho
] settled traditions of official rank, or with
reference to the convenience of a whole
neighborhood or section of the city, is fast
plunging things into chaos with the way 1t is
observed here. Special days no longer be-
long to special people, aud ladies seem
to receive OH which ever day they take
fancy to. In the old times no one but
justices wife thought of receiving on Mon
judicial families resided on Capitol hill that
gradually established that day for the ladies
residing in that same part of the city. Last
winter Monday was general reception day
in all parts of the city, and from tho navy
yard to Dupont circlethere were open houses
in every direction. The ladies Of the National
hotel and the Riggs house kent Monday for
the reason that they had had it in former
years when justices families had boarded in
those hotels. Each day IN the week now
presents similar condition, and il is
pine, that some authority should bo
x Invoked and tho law laid down in
fla. few matters. The Riggs house and
H3the Hamilton house have each three
reception days during the week. At tho
Riggs the wife of Speaker Carlisle will re-
ceive on Wednesday, the wives of the SEN
ators on Thursday, and the other ladies ON
Monday. AT the Hamilton house the repre-
N sentatives' wives receive on Tuesday, the SEN
ators wives on Thursday, and the family of
the Hawaiian minister on Friday. In the
immediate neighborhood of Scott circle ladies
receive on Monday, Thursday, and Friday;
on Dupont circle Tuesday and Saturday are
most generally observed, and Iowa circle is
divided between Tuesday and Friday.
Attorney General Brewster, who is In New
Orleans in attendance upon the trial of the
lottery cases now holding in the courts there,
may not be able to return until after New
I, Years day. Mrs Brewster's daughter, Mrs.
son have been spending the holiday week
with her, and will be Joined by Mr.. Rooms
this evening. who comes down to be present
at the christening Of his SON at Epiphany
church Tomorrow. Mrs. Brewster hopes to
have the aid of her daughter in receiving on
\ New Years day, and will be assisted also by
. Mrs. Clayton McMichael, Miss Emory, and
Miss Koons, of Philadelphia If Mrs. Koons
is able to delay her departure until after
Wednesday, she will receive at her mothers
hat aff 9TH
Brewster will not open her house ON the day
following New Years.
A most interesting guest at Master Benny
Brewsters Christmas eve party was Mrs,
Brewsters little mite of a grandson, who
Kept his small eyes open until tho last child
had departed, and evidently appreciated the
tall tree and all of its glittering adornments.
Each little one had an armful of presents and
lots of candy, and the little japanese prince,
who Is o member of the Russian minister's
family, was especially delighted with some
pretty toys of Japanese manufacture. The
children danced and played and had q grand
good time until after 10 o'clock, and the
houseful of happy children was pretty sight.
The President attended service at St. Johns
church on Christmas morning, accompanied
by his son and daughter, and Mr. Matthew
Arnold occupied seat in his pew Miss
Nellie Arthur attended the Christmas party,
which Assistant Secretary and Mrs. John
DhNiS gave 10 tHelr llUtle ones on tnaU day,
and with her father and brother dined with
Secretary kgelinghuysen's family. The
newspaper story of her diamond earrings Is
incorrect, and the turkeys and treasures, sup
\ posed to have been distributed among the
y white honse employees, are equally mythical.
Miss Folger, who arrived here few weeks
since from a prolonged stay In the Adirondack
region, is under strict injunctions from her
K physicians not to enter in any way into
the social life Of the season. The most abso-
lutte quiet and rest are prescribed for her,
and it is only by observing these conditions
that she can remain here with her father.
She will not take part in any of the New
4 Years festivities, and will not receive on any
Wednesday afternoons while here. Secretary
Folger is much improved in health, and is
rejoicing in the company and comforts of his
daughters presence in his household.
The wife of Chief Justice Waite will not
receive on Monday of the approaching week,
and in general the ladies who keep Monday
as a reception day will omit the customary
J observance on account of the busy prepara-
tions for New Years and the necessity of
taking as much rest as possible preceding the
grand rites Of the New Year. The wives of
the cabinet officers will not receive on the
Wednesday following New Years day, and So
ciety will rest a little before undertaking the
long programme of gayeties to be unrolled
during the coming eight weeks.
PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT.