The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-02-08
WHAT ~ eOrxe ON IN SOCIETY

In country nelghborhoods, when the sun
| first begins to break up skating ponds and to
l,berate i'm prisoned brooks. it Is said that the
| backbone OF the winter is broken. although
| enough vitality may be left In its cxtremities
to reap a plentiful crop OF billiards. snow
! storms. and tempests. And so 1t is with tho
gay season. whose backbone evidently doubled
| up ten days ago, but which will continue In
motion through three moro Delmonico balls
| and one or two private germans. until 1t dies
| a natural death on Shrove Tuesday.
Mrs. William Astor's cotilion on Thursday
| evening was the only dance Of the week. and
| was all the moro enjoyed for that reason. Il
was small affair for Mrs. Astor's house. the
| german being only one row deep. That row.
| however. encircled the picture gallery like .
girdle. leaving ample space in the middle for
Mr.. Lispenard Stewart to manGuvre his dane
Ing brigade. He led by far the prettiest figures
OF the season. reviving all the noisy and
riotous Ones which mako great fun for the
dancers but are imp possible at Delmonico's or
| in a crowded ballroom. The banner figure
where the silken scarfs are spread out like
| banners and perfect labyrinth OF beauty 10
| formed. rs the dancers wind in and out. below
| and above them. was especially graceful and
picturesque. The ball figure became . romp
| and tho PROSTATE forms Of tho defeated aspi-
| fashion under the feet OF their moro fortunate
| rivals. But when tho ponies wore harnessed
and driven two abreast around the immense
circle the great fun OF tho german began.
| There was baking and shying and many un.
manageable steeds. but at last two skittish
| young FLIES. cross matched. but OF the same
| height. broke away from the reins and galloped
| down the full length OF the room. and then the
dance became general riot. quite beyond the
leaders control.
| Ball dresses. like their owners. are beginning
! to show signs OF wear They have lost their
freshness. and even at Mrs. Astor's there were
| only two that were especially noticeable. One
| was Miss Langdons. which was q study. In
| pale blue and yellow. rather n bold combina-
| ton for brunette. but artistic In itself and
| very becoming. Miss Turnure. whose cos.
| tunes have always the stamp Of originality.
| wore light blue. covered with mother OF pearl
| seQuins. which were not unlike the Breton but
tons SO generally worn on walking dresses Q
few years since. There were other costly and
handsome gowns. most gracefully and advan-
taReously displayed. but none Of any nswness
| in style or material.
The opening of the new Athletic Club on the
same evening as Mrs. Astor's ball must have
| left almost every Preside in Fifth avenue va
| can't The crowd was tremendous and. in
| spite OF a concert and band. the new building.
with Its endless appliances for luxury and
| comfort as we'll as for exercise and Develop
| ment in all athletic requirements. was tho
| main attraction OF the evening. The Presl.
dent, Mr.. W. h. Travers. whose connection
with any enterprise. social or financial. 10
| looked upon as "a pretty certain guarantee OF
its success. was present and, was cordial.
pleasant and hospitabie. as usual while Mr..
| Herman Oelrichs was absolutely beaming over
| the accomplishment OF one OF his pct schemes.
| The tableaux and theatricals ut Mrs. William
C. Whitney's for the benefit OF the Industrial
| School Of Pelham permitted the sight OF one Of
| tho handsomest houses In America II not in
| the world. but it afforded the worst opportunity
possible for seeing Mrs. Potter or Mrs. Schles-
niger or for hearing either tho French or the
| English play. Indeed. some of the audience
were 80 far distant. and saw aud heard so little.
that they thought Mrs. Schlesinger was acting
in pantomime. and were doubtful whether
| Mrs. Potter was speaking French. Dutch. or
| Hindostanee. Those only who went early and
secured front seats had any enjoyment Of the
plays. ana there is no doubt at nil that anna.
tours do themselves far better Justice by ap
| pearing on the boards Of . theatre than IL
| friends houses.
| The tab!eaux we're superb. and could be seel
| long way of. rs there was no motion to dis
tract the sight Where all we're 80 beautiful 1,
|
GRAFTON Of detail. and for rich. warm Oriental
beauty. Mrs. Merritt's Cleopatra was most per-
feet. Mrs. Dinsmore was. however. q very
| stately. graceful. and statues1ue Hsrmione.
| Miss Turnure a snucy. bewtchlnR Beatrice.
and Mrs. Sloane most dainty and fascinating
| sweet Anne Page" Tho only fault that could
| be found with the tablenuN was the very brief
| happiness that they were permitted to give.
glance. q vision Of beauty. an exclamation OF
| delight. and all WAS over. One felt inclined to
ask whether apart from the charity. tableaux
| ever repay the immense expenditure OF time.
| trouble money. and strength that they entail.
The designations Of the coming week include
| tho two last balls OF the Cotil!on and Assembly
| series on Monday and Thursday and the Phila-
delphia Assembly on Frida y. for which large
and Jolly party has been made up. These balls
| in the foyer Of the Opera House arc said to
quite eclipse our Dsmonico entertainments.
| In what respect they are superior Is difficult
| to discover: perhaps only in the opinion of
| those who give them. rs no descendant OF Will
| liam Penn was ever known to be deficient In
| the bump OF seif-esteenl.
At our Assembly on Thursday evening no ger
man will he danced. an innovation which has
| been adopted only for the sake Of novelty. and
not with any idea OF superseding tho beloved
dance Of the country and the day.
The Patriarchs' ball on the 10th will close the
gay season. and then will come the winter
| fitting. which is fast becoming as .univer-
| sal as the summer exodus. Mr.. and Mrs.
| George Henry Warren and their daughters
| sail for Europe on tho 14th not for spring or
summer trip. but only to change the air and
| scene for a few weeks. Mr.. and Mrs. s. 8. How
land have gone to Now Orleans. to return by the
| way OF Florida. and rs soon as Lent is here tho
| winter watering places. such az Atlantic City.
| Cape May Lakewood. and Mr.. Hoey's new set
| tlement at Long Branch will be crowded with
the weary. satiated. and disabled participators
| in the JOYS OF fashionable life.
| There are probably no people In the world to
whom a change is so indispensable as to the
| Americans. Monotony is the ono thing In life
that they cannot and will not endure. An Eng
| lishman OF wealth and leisure takes his pleas
ures year after year. at the same time. In the
same places. and in identically the same way