The Washington critic., 1886-03-22
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

any laXity OF morals went with his free |
'lom Of manner, but he more than i'm
piled its existence. The proof ad. |
vanced by the writer of his charge was
the fact that ladies in Washington So
ciety often introduce themselves to men
they do not know, and that men never
hesitate to speak to ladies without the
formula of an introduction, and that,
further, they are never rebukcd for so
doing. 1t is true that people do not
always wait for introductions erst at
gatherings, but that fact
is rather proof of good manners than
the reverse. There Is always an i'm.
piled belief expressed In so doing that
the host or hostess would not
invite under his or her roof any
body not fit TO move in good society.
People so brought together do not
hesitate TO talk with each other with
out introductions, but II Is rarely that
any acquaintance so made becomes per-
manent without formal introduction.
Certainly no lady recognizes any ac-
quaintance so made afterwards unless
II is agreeable to her. There is no
doubt but what the custom of self-in-
PRODUCTION at gatherings under the
that contributes greatly to the ease and
enjoyment of those present. There is
certainly nothing more stupid aud
idiotic than party Of guests, all pos.
scssing n common acquaintance with
the host, standing abouli in grim silence
awaiting the mumbling formula of an
introduction to begin talking. Secre.
tary Whitney and wife have carried Off
the social honors of the season, al
though the stories of the money spent
by him have been extravagantly alb.
surd One OF the gems of the early
part of the season was the one saying
that Colonel Oliver Payne had given
his sister, Mrs Whitney, a check for
$500 600, with the idea that the money
was to be expended solely for the pur.
pose of social enjoyment of course
there was never word of truth
in that, and was naturally in.
vented by some man who
had no money. 1t takes really poor
man to conceive these stories of daz-
zling generosity. Mr.. Whitney has
entertained very literally. He has
spent more money than any Cabinet
officer of modern times, but those who
are good judges say that $4,000 will
meet the expenses of his social season.
As Senator George II. Pendleton used
to eXpend $75 900 year upon mere
living and entertaining, there has been
some precedent here for the Whitney
liberality.
~
And this is the irreverent way in
which the Atlanta Constitution talks
about it: cat a Washington reception
it is neck and neck between glare and
bare Rudeness and nudencss jostle
each other. Guests with quiet tastes
can do nothing but guzzle to the ac-
compartment of the sparkling fizz. To-
wards the close of the evening Ii is
snooze in one corner and booze in the
other"
Nv
General Daniel Il. Sickles preserves
his age wonderfully well, says the New
York Tribune. He may be found at
the opera at night or at some place of
resort up town, club or hotel saw
him the other evening at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, in a group of friends,
engaged in an animated discussion,
which Grifted into n fervid description
by him of his encounter with the
famous Marquis de Leuville. / asked
one of the Generals friends what it
was that gave Sickles his perennial
youth, and the reply was: "The fact
that man has only one leg naturally
makes him take care of himself better
than other men. Then Sickles has
property enough, so he has no reason
to worry. 1t is care and worry that
furrow n mans forehead. The Gen
eral has some pretty good investments
in Mexico, mining and grazing property
both, understand.
Nv
John Rogers, theatrical manager, Is
reported as about to marry Minnie
Palmer. The Alta California; sug.
gested that the last that was heard of
John Rogers wife was that "she was
left with nine small children and one
at the breast" John Rogers wrote
from London to San Francisco asking
for the authority for such a statement.
The wicked editor replied: Certainly
Fox, Book of Martyrs" The quota.
tion referred to John Rogers widow
of two centuries since.
~
Speaking Of cx.President Arthur in
the Philadelphia Times, Frank Burr
says: "Such old friends and com
panions as Steve French yet see him
every few days, but to all the world be
sides he is II recluse. Some of thost
who have been admitted to his presence
within few days think that he il
threatened with Bright's disease of thu
kidneys. His physicians, they tell me
refuse to say much about his case, ant
give but little hope for his recovery
Naturally those near him have beer
anxious, as most of his friends have, t
keep the real facts of this sad case from
the country. A few days will doubles
foreshadow what is good or bad TO
him in the future. The eX-President |
said to be in just that condition II
which time alone can decide his fate
Everything that medical skill can d.
for him is being done. Two of the bes
physicians in the city have been callec
TO take charge of the case, and Will
they watch and wait with tender solici
tude the developments of the next fey
days the country may well add its bes
wishes that man who made such
dignilled President, and who bore tn
honors of trying position with be
coming candor and honor, may yet b
spared many years"
~
Says New York letter to the Sa
Francisco Argonaut: "Now that Mr'
Potter is in the papers, she will nevc
succeed in getting out of them. Neithc
will Miss Chamberlain. The las