The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-28
WHAT rs aofvo ON IN so0ErK.


Old Father Christmas was In very good shaeo
this year. He covered the ground with oar
pct Of snow. provided a crisp. exhilaratlne A.
mosphere. and infused moro warmth and glow
into the celebration OF his especial festival thsa
Il has known for many q rear. The spirit q
holiday making seemed to pervade the whoie
community. From the small boy with his tin
trumpet to the millionaire, sitting wrapped II
furs behind his lying steeds. there was scarcely
one who did not do his part toward making the
day one Of old-fashionsd jollity and merrimeut
The avenues leading to the Park and The
Park itself were alive with the tinklinR Of soiGA
bells and gay with the bright colored trappinss
and trimmings Of horses and vehicles Slsigha
OF all shapes, colors. and nationalltios were
out. from the tiny cutter. which skins over the
road like bird over the water. to the ponder.
Gus four-soated family coach on runners. which
takes father. mother. and all tho small ones
for their annual sleighing treat. Thore was
oven one our-in-hand to DO seen on Fifth Az
enuc. tho notes Of the guards horn mInSling
pleasantly with tho merry Jingle OF tho bells.
But tho turnout that attracted most attention
was largo Russian sleigh. drawn by two thor.
ouRhbred horses. with harness OF sable fur.
and driven by o young and pretty woman. with
q cap OF Russian sablcs on her blonde head.
and a long coachman's cape Of the Same costly
fur reaching almost to her feet. She sat. OF
rather stood. alone in front. her groom sitting
motlonless bohind. and handled tho ribbons
with such dexterity as to guide the lory horses
safely through the labyrinth OF vehicles with
which tho avenue was thronged. Spectators
watched her with intense interest. and felt al
most inclined to applaud and cry Bravo" a.
with admirable calmless and sof- possession
shc made her way through the crowd, bowling
and smiling 10 friends on either side as she
passed. Tho day has gone by whom n low phae-
ton or village cart drawn by a mild and gentle
pony. will satisfy the ambition Of Indy whips"
At Newport last summer dog carts and TIL
buries were frequently soon driven 10y young
girls. who seemed as we'll able to guide their
spirited teams a. any experienced coachman.
but sleigh piloted through New York streets
By tho delicate hand OF lady ia q novel and
somewhat surprising sight. Women are al
readv first In the hunting fold. and will prob
ably soon be first on tho road Perhaps 10
might not DO presumptuous to prophesy that
at no very distant period they will become
riders on the racecourse. for which their light
weight ought admirably to qualify them.
The balls OF the week were Mrs. Thomas Ad-
dis Emmet's on Monday evening and the flrst
Patriarchs' on Tuesday. Mrs. Emmet's WAS Q
crush. but not killing crush. On tho contrary.
1t was full Of life and animation. and the young
people pronounced 1t tho liveliest dance OF the
season. The two cotilons. led In adjoining
rooms. with the Misses LanRdon. Miss Duer
Miss Van Rensselaer,. and Miss Mnturn dano-
ing in one. and Miss Otis. Miss Heoksoher. Miss
Hoffman. and Miss SchiefYelin in tho other.
created good deal Of mock rivalry, and made
no little fun.
The attention OF tho music-loving portion OF
the society world on Monday night was equally
attracted to tho old and to tho now houses. At
the Academy. where Aida " was worry we'll rem
dsred. there was q large audience. including
among its members Mrs. Paran Stevons Mrs.
Cutting. Mrs. Buchanan Winthrop. Miss Tur.
nure. Miss Fanny Taller. Miss McAlllster. and
the Misses Hewitt At the Metropolitan were
Mr.. and Mrs. Bradley Martin. Mrs. William As
tor. Mrs. Potter. Mrs. Vanderbilt. Miss Haven
and many others.
DelmonicOs large ballroom was converted
into q bower OF beauty and fragrance by il
tasteful decorations for tho Patriarchs' ball
Holly. ivy and mistletoe made q background
for rod and yellow tulips. crimson car
nations. and great punches OF white Gala lilies.
No expense and trouble was spared. and the
effect OF such q wreath OF blossoms and ever.
green's. under the pale light Of the straw coll
ored shades was prettier than anything that
has been seen this winter. The company was
dignifiod and distinguished. rather than youns
and gay. Indeed. the young follows who huns
about the doorways and lent their valuable aid
toward the consumption OF catables pro-
nounced the ball old and allow" and the dow
agors who sat in solemn judgment on the a..
semblage discovered that many Of last years
ball dresses were dancing rs merrily In the
cotillon IA II they had been Worth's latest Gre
ations Mics Adele Grant wore fire. sh and
very lovely gown of pink tulle; Miss Iangdon
as usual. was in white Mrs. s. V. II. Crugeri
costume was Of white satin aud lace. ma de ia
the style OF tho first empire, and. like all tina,
Mrs. CruRer wears was both effective and be-
coming Mrs. Henry CLOVIS looked extremely
we'll in tulle dress Of turquoise blue, . color
which but few could wear with advantage.
Tho full-length portrait Of Mrs. Clews which
has been recently painted by Mr.. Porter OF
Boston will. 1t is said. DO exhibited In this city
1t is wonderful study in white and gold. the
lady. attred in a robe OF shimmerlng white
| satin. being seen advancing slowly down Z
broad staircase. which 10 carpeted in old gold.
| with heavy curtain in the background oil
white and gold tapestry. Mr.. Porter. who
seems to be. In the matter OF his siiters. this
| Sir Potter Lely Of tho present day. Is now en-.
gagged upon n life-size portrait OF Miss Book
| with. and has also painted successfully Mrs
Thomas Gushing and Mrs. Buchanan Win.
throp. besides many Of the bellies and beauties
| OF his own city.
dance at Mrs. W. Shippons on Friday was
tho last evening party OF the week. To-mor.
| row night Mrs. Goelsts much talked-of ball
! will take place. and on Tuesday Mrs. Mason
Jones's german and Mrs. Hilborne Roosevelt's
| last reception.
Another general holiday and one that Is not
so jolly rs Christmas nor go popular as the
Fourth OF July. will break In upon The routine
OF balls. operas. and receptions. in whose un.
broken regularity tho world OF society doth
rejoice. The spasmodio effort which Is made
| every year or two to revive the old Dutch Gus
tom OF gentlemen visiting and ladies staying al
homo to receive them on New Years Day IL
likely to DO rs successful Us an attemp, would
be to Introduce the habits and manners OF
the planet Saturn. When New York was
little moro than a village and private rest.
dsnces were restricted to An area of half Q
mile square between Chambers street and
the Battery. tho opening OF the now year with