The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-15
WHAT ID CONC ON m SOC11rI.

Society is rather up side down just now.
Tho town 10 half empty and intensely dull
Nobody will do anything to create . scandal o.
provoke sneer. Even the postman 10 An az.
gravation. for he brings letters which. II they
do not absolutely exhale perfumes from the
balmy South. yet indulge ia such florid do.
scriptions OF green pastures and howinG
waters. to say nothing OF green peas. straw
berries. roses. and ma9nolias. 40 mako the
winter OF our discomfort moro difacult than
over to endure.
st. Augustine seems to DO the Mecca Of dis.
couraxed New Workers this year. Tho PALACE.
like hotels OF the grand old Spanish city are
filled to OVERLOOKING. and tho streets arc lively
with riding and driving parties Of unmistak.
ably Northern growth. Tho saddle horses to b
hired In st. Augustine arc mostly Of Kentucky
breed and training and are admirably fitted to
carry riders OF what arc called tho "orna-
mental sex" As q consequence. those who
have taken with them their saddle habits and
other riding accoutrem ents are enjoying an
amusement not open to oil.
Mr.. james Gordon Dennotts party. whioh
consisted OF Mr.. and Mrs. william T. Douglas.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard IRWIN Jr.. and Mr.. Pol
lock. reached Charleston and embarked In the
Namouna for Bermuda few days since. Al.
tor weeks cruise In southern waters they
will return to Charleston. whence Comno-
dore Bennett will sail for Europe. and bis
guests will return to this city by rail 10 time
for Mrs. Irwin and Mrs. Douglas to complete
the final preparations for tho Kirnsees. Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Lawrence were to have been
Of the Namouna party. but were prevented By
the sudden and severe illnoss OF Mrs. Law.
rence. tho result OF taking a party OF friends
to her house at Islip which. having boon unoo-
cupied all winter. declined with true Long
Island stubbornness to 10 made Ut for occupa-
tion ut days notice.
Mrs. I.awrence's pleasure party was not
tho only ono that terminated disastrousiy.
Mrs. Bradley Martin WAS taken Ill with pneu-
mopia while In Washington. and her family
physician was telegrnLhed for to assist In hoe
removal to her home in this CITY. Mrs. Mar
tins condition has improved very decidedly
since her return.
That people are readv. II not eager. to be
amused was clearly oxempllGed at Mrs. Charles
Posts on Thursday evening. Under cover Of
meeting Of tho Thursday Evening Club very
arge number Of people were invited. all Of
whom appear to have gone Tho crush was
tremendous. and tho heat pleasant reminder
OF tropical regions In tho midst OF March bliz-
yards and zephyrs from beiow-zero districts.
Mrs. Post and Mrs. Ward sang dvinely. and
quite a sensation was created BY now
prima donna In amateur circles. who as.
tonished and delighted all who heard her.
This was Mrs. Flint. formerly Miss Simmons.
a relative Of Mayor Grace. She has o voice OF
wonderful strength and sweetness. which has
been we'll developed by teaching and practice.
All the youth and beauty Of society as we'll -
Its mature sirens were present at this opening
Of the amateur musical season which always
comes with the early spring. Mrs. Astor was
as usual respendent with diamonds. which.
however. were not moro costly or becoming
than Mrs. Cooper's superb parurs Of pearls.
There were many good gowns" and delight
full frocks." to quote from the latest vocabulary
OF English society journalism. and the enter.
talnmcnt was decidedly the smartest funo.
ton" OF the mid Lent season.
Nothing in the least exciting is promised for
this week. unless tho opening OF Barnums cir
Gus on Monday evening may be 30 considered.
The seats are little hard at those perform.
acnes. but young people can chatter to their
hearts content without danger OF disturbing
that unreasonable class OF the community who.
having paid a good price for places at other
theatre or opera. are Extensively exacting In the
matter OF hearing what they came to hear.
An amateur dramatic entertainment. under
tho patronage OF Mrs. Charles 2. DAILY and 9th.
ers for the benefit Of the Girls Lodging House,
81 st. Marks place. is announced to he given at
the Madison Square Theatre at2H p. NJ. April7.
Mrs. james d. Potter. Mrs. Oliver s. Teali.
and other distinguished amateurs will play at
tho University Club Theatre on tho evenings OF
April 81 and 20. and the afternoon OF April 20.
for tho benefit Of club for working girls. The
piece Is The Romance OF a Poor Young Man."
Tickets can be had OF Mrs. Belmont. Mrs Der.
ryman. Mrs. Bradley Martin. and Miss Dehon.
Tho engagement has boon announced OF Miss
Mary Hyde. daughter OF Nr. Henry b. Hyde Of
the Equitable Life Assurance Society, to Mr.,
Sidney Dillon Ripley.
Another engagement comes to US from over
the sea. and supplies another peeress OF Eng.
land from among tho ranks OF unsophisticated
American girls. Miss Fanny Lawrence.
daughter OF Mr.. Francis Lawrence. Is engaged
to Lord William Venables- Vernon. a good young
follow. as report goes. and one endowed not
only with all the graces and virtues. but with q
large rent roll and many acres OF unencum.
bored property. Miss Lawrence Is charming
and accomplished. and will DO one OF the great.
est heiressos OF this country. Hor mother.
Mrs. Francis Lawrence. was a Garner. and ID
the owner OF several millions in her own right.
Since tho terrible disaster which deprived
them OF both father and mother. Mrs. Lawrence
has had charge OF the orphan daughters Of her
brother lillian Il. Garner. 1t is said that Miss
Fanny Lawrence will have a marriage portion
OF 100000 given to her By her palrnts
on hor wedding day. and 1t seems
almost pity that so much wealth
beauty and excellence should 20 out Of the
country for tho benefit OF an English noble.
man. III. however. the American man cannon
make himself personally attractive enough to
eclipse the worldly advantages Of his English
rivals. no may expect to see tho iairest and best.
as well as the richest. OF his co untrywomen mass
out OF his reach. as so many have already done.
Tho marriage OF Miss Kate Hastings, daugh.
ter OF the late Hugh Hastings. and Mr. Richard
Woodward. London banker. OF an old Roman
Catholic family will take place in this citv
about the Goth OF April The young couple ara
now abroad. but are expected to arrive here In
few weeks.
The season in London promises to be excen,
tionaly dull The crack regiments Of Guards
have all been marched away to tho scat OF war.
leaving no men for dances or small tea parties.
And the number OF officers killed In the Soudan