National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-24

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We have reached the last day Of the peni-
tential season. The wall Of Mlsereresssteal-
ing from half open cathedral doors, the
signing of chanted litanies, and the Lenten
acts Of penitence and devotion will close by
the calendar at midnight Society went
into bona flde secluslon at the capital on
Ash Wednesday. Whether this state Of
things followed from religious fervor or the
utter exhaustion OF an unprecodentedly
long and gay season, is a problem not In
cumbent upon us to solve. The solemn
notes OF the nDies lre" have measured the
steps of more society women here during
the past forty days than is the custom In
come Of our neighboring cities. In some
towns we could name, society scarce realizes
that the gay numbers OF Strauss and O1en-
bach are not the appropriate music. The
Lenten season, II Is popularly supposed,
was especially instituted for the benefit OF
fashionable women who are supposed to be
scanning up the rents In their consclences
as IA rov "a oroa nd ovi0annfao nj eONinl vyhfta
lies aud other shortcomings too tedious
TO mention, by series Of Hastings, prayers
and self.denials, aud good deeds. Many
women are doing all this, and more. 9th
ers are recruiting and resting them
selves for another grand round after
Easter, mending their stockings and doing
their spring shopping. Everybody knows
that the greatest amount OF charitable work
has been accomplished In this city by prom
inent society ladies during Lent. Let us
trust that in all this the, attendance of lee
lures, amateur readings and theatrlcals,
| private views, and art receptions, the
serious liturglcal duties Of the faithful, the
modification OF the flesh, and the sanctifi-
cation Of the spirit have been acceptably
| achieved.
The week in society has been barren
| particular instances Of gayety. The visit
| Of the 9TH regiment Of the New YORK Ma
| tlonal Guard gave us some brilliant street
.spectacles, and some quiet dinners and In
formal receptions were given the members
In private households Most OF the Mlchi-
gan people In the city enjoyed the recep-
| the Michigan Military Cadets, Of Orchard
Lake Academy, on Wednesday evening.
| An elaborate supper was served, and the
good time that the hospitable home OF
| Michigan's junior senator Implies TO guests
was the portion of each. The corps num-
bers forty, and about one hundred people
were invited to meet them. DR.. and
M Mrs, LorlnS yo R,s TslG0psi ofrdSe
gave reception to Miss Kate Field that
afternoon. The usual sat homes" were held
by Mrs. Charles NordhoI, Mrs. Sayles-
Brown, Mrs. and Miss Alley, Mrs. Dolph,
and Mrs. Sheriff. on their respective days.
Driving and riding on horseback in the
sweet spring air is more than ever favorite
mode OF exercise. It is sim q little early
| for large parties, but there Is much tall,
about them and the pleasure Of anticlpa
tion.
The art event of the week Is the ex-
hibition OF w. +. Halsall's historical paint
ing, "First Fight of the Ironclads,n Monl
tor and Merrimac, at 1925 New York
avenue. The hours are from 2 TO and
to 10 p. M, and will be open TO visitors
until May 10. Mr.. Halsall gave three pri
|
Wednesday, and received senators and
members and officers Of the army and navy
| Admiral Worden was especially enthu
siastic In his praise Of the picture. II
measures 12 by @ feet, and is the most I'm
portant painting ever put forth by Mr.
Halsall. The fight between the rebel ran
Merrimac and the Union turret Monitor OF
March o, 1862, In Hampton Roads, was on,
| OF tire novel and dramatic events OF thu
civil war; The rebel ram fills most OF tn,
left hand side Of the canvas, and is coming
full speed upon the Monitor, which oc
cupies, with cleared decks, the center OF tn
composition. Both OF the well.matchet
foemen have fired at one anothe
point blank range. It is the very heigh
Of the contest. Not human being is II
sight, but all Is life, all is tumult ant
commotion, as II these two great war ma
chimes OF metal were alive. A she'll ex
plodes near the MeIrimac's armored sid
and lifts up a mimic Vesuvius 10 eruption
with lurid CLEANS. The graceless lines o
the modern fighting craft are draped int,
picturesque outlines by the effective treat
ment Of the smoke. Its hghtness relieve
the brutality of the contanding ironclads
The needfnl contrast to tho inferno.li k
sction of the beligerent two is supplied b.
the Union frigate Minnesota, hard aground
and the masts Of the sunken sloop-of-wa
Cumberland projecting from the water
Both are unable to take hand in the con
test. The horizon is formed by distan
strip Of land Newport News Point, a
important Union position, whence th
picture is fine marine study and treats II
noble subject with dignity and faithfulness
s~s
The post-Lenten season opens gayly wit
number Of elegant events. The Gallo
ball on Monday night at the Chinese lega
ton leads. The lady managers Of the Gai
field Hospital, well known as the hostesse
for delectable entertainment. Gowns G
cotton goods are the compulsory toilets Q
the ladies', and the gentlemen will conforr
to the order OF the ball by wearing cotto
neckties, and gay waistcoate Of Dolly VA
den pattern would be an evidence OF con
mendable enterprise. A welcome innovi
ton upon charity balls In general is the a
the so ball ticket. Stewart Castle afford
romantic accommodations for quiet enjo,
ment and for assembly dancing as wei
Some Of the most active OF the lady maj
ayers are Mrs. Ricketts,, Mrs. Logan, Mrs.
A. Hayes, Mrs. Dolph, Mrs. Judge Ben
ley, Mrs. George Hearst, Mrs. 4. @. Crav
ford, Miss Bell Yedder, Mrs. Mott Smitl
Mrs. IL. A. Willard, Mrs. Seney, Mr.
sabin, Mrs. Russell selfridge, and Mr.
Goodloe.
80
On Tuesday the amateur performance {
the comedies of "Sweathearts" and "Snov
ball" will be given at Albaugh's Opel
House In the afternoon. The committC
have spared no pains to make the onte
tainment worthy OF the cause, and the ca
is in every respect an exceptionally stron
, one. The financial and social success OF
10 already assured In the sale of seats an
I boxes. The proceeds are for the benefit
! the Woman's Exchange. The lady patrol
esses are Mrs. Waite, Mrs. Field, Mrs. End
, dan, Mrs. Parke, Mrs. N. L. Anderson
Mrs. Washington Mclean, Miss Riggs, Mr.