The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-16
MxAr n CONC ON IN soczsrx

WHAr ~ come ON IN s0CLsrY
The opening Of the second opera season on
Monday night had the effect Of rousins the
fashionable world from the ssmi-oomatoso
state In which It had been plunged for the last
fortnight Diamonds flashed from the galleries
Of the Metropolitan. and white shoulder,
cleaned and glistsned as bravely and as gener-
ously Is during the autumn season. Yet to the
eyes OF the stockholders the house was any.
thing but Q satisfactory one. Long rows OF
seats In the parauet were empty. there was .
melancholy absence Of black coats and Whit
neckties to form q background to the beauty
and brilliancy OF tho boxes. aud when to this
was added the stupendous dreariness and tuno.
lessnoss Of the OPERA 1t can scarcely be won.
lered Mt that Mr.. Vanderbilt. Mr.. Havon.
Mr.. Warren, and other bravo and patient
stockholders looked serious and even sad.
As an observant stranger remarked: There
is moro Of the nude than the dude here to-
night" And this. from man who is aoous.
toned to the hideous anatomical exhibitions to
b. seen in the London opera houses. was far
from complimentary to the modesty or good
taste OF American women.
Parties to the circus are better liked and
enjoyed than boxes ct the opera. Perhaps
pockets ara not 90 vol lined nor bank accounts
80 satisfactory a. they were six months ago.
and whom the time for retrenchment comes
and charities have been unsparingly cut down.
pateriamilias generally draws the strings upon
the amusement fund. But however this may
be. the elephants are just now moro attractive
than opera singers. and every evening per-
Torrance at the Madison Square Garden sees
six or eight parties Of gay young people enjoy.
ing hugely the greatest show on earth" Mrs.
Lorillard. Mrs. Heckscher. Mrs. Stevens. Mrs.
Bergman. and several other matrons have
chaperoncd circus.parties during the last week.
Mr.. Maurice Mlnton's lecture on Society"
was undoubtedly . disappointment. Only that
small section OF the audience to whom person.
allties are painful and gossip detestable en-
joyed the able and interesting sketch which he
gave OF society In many countries and at dif-
fsrent periods Of the worlds history. Perhaps
no might be induced to write . second lecture.
which would b "Chronioue soandaleuss" OF
society people during the last ten years."
Palmistry has again become quite craze
and young ladies are studying up tho subject
and testing their knowledge bv frequent ex-
sminations Of their nsiehbors' palms. Mrs.
Van Rensselaer, Cruger had . fortune.telline
party at her house the other night. and the
tracing Of life lines. heart lines and head lines
went on briskly for several hours. Mrs. Cruger.
It IL said 10 we'll up In lore. and a.
she has good deal both Of the siren and Of the
sibyl In her nature. she contrived to impart not
a little Of her enthusiasm to her guests. To
have their whole future laid bare before their
eyes 10 the ardent desire Of most very young
people-to throw an impenetrable veil over,
their past II the equally strong desire Of the
old. As palmistry deals principally with the
future and reveals nothing Of the damaging
past. it Is likely to become a. popular as 1t 10
already very interesting.
Another more practical though less poetical
form OF necromancy In the shape OF conjuring
tricks was resorted to for the amusement OF the
sewing class at Mrs. Seward Webb's on Thurs
day. Mrs. Rowland. who organized the class.
was obliged to postpone its meeting at her
house on account Of the death Of her uncle.
The Festina Lente continues to make haste
slowly toward more gay and festive meetings;
great deal was expected from the first even
ing meeting on Thursday. but very little was
realized. Landers band discoursed most In.
spring music. but the room was too large and
the people were too few. and In spite OF the
laudable efforts OF those subscribers who are
interested In its success. the whole affair looks
a. II 1t might be failure.
Tho Saturday evening meetings at tho Gen.
tlemen's Riding Club In FIfty-seventh street
have thus far been productive Of moro enjoy
ment than any other Lentsn Organizations.
Each OF the lady members has the privilege Of
bringing another lady and each Of the men
friend. and after riding. lesping. and various
equestrian fsats and evolutione. the evenings
enjoyment ends with a good supper The club
house IL 20 perfect IN all Its arrangements. and
tho riding arena 30 replets with novelties In
the way Of luxuries and convenisncss for
horsemen andihorsewomen. that nothing pleas.
anter Gould DO imagined. Among the ladies'
halon DIN tn ha Iantan Nl,,h Mro Er>darfn
Nelson. Mrs. Del Monte Mrs. Abner Colgate.
Mrs. Borrowe. Mrs. Webb. Mrs. Cornelius Van.
derbilt and Mrs. Frederic Vanderbilt.
The young ladies who have elected to spend
their mornings In the tennis court. instead Of
In stuffy parors. doing plain needlework for
the poor. have chosen the better part a. re-
CARDS health and compile ions. Very good play
can be seen any Thursday at the new tennis
court corner Of Seventh avenue and Forty
first street. whore q class consisting OF Miss
Otis. Miss Bird. Miss Leavitt. Miss Duer, Miss
Turnure. Miss Elliott and several others meet
once . week for practice. Men are not allowed
at present. but tournament Is talked Of latsr
In the spring. when the lists will probably b.
open to gentlemen combatants.
The prominent dinners Of the week have
boon at Mrs. Astor's. Mrs. John Kernochan's.
Mrs. sloane's. and Mrs. Samuel Borrowes.
Yesterdays welcome fine weather permitted
the long-delayed spring hunting season to
commence on Long Island. and the Meadow.
brook Hunt enjoyed their first meeting this
year. We have not had any particulars. but
judging from the impatIence OF the members
OF the hunt at being 30 long deprived OF Il. the
sport must be Is attractive a. ever.
The topic for discussion at the meeting ON
Tuesday next Of tho Nineteenth Century Club
will b. " Music" subject upon which an i'm.
Dense deal can be said. but about which there
can scarcely be very wide differences Of opinion,
The date of Miss Wothsrspoon's weddine
has been changed from the Sd to the 18th OF
April. and her bridesmaids will b Miss Char.
lotts Wotherspoon. Miss Taller Miss Nina
Thompson. and one other young lady.
The wedding Of Misc Edyth Evelyn Jaffrsy TO
Mr.. Poultney Bigelow will take place At the
First Presbyterian Church. Fifth avenue. cor.