Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-06
hearts of the daisies of bronze chenille, the re-

hearts oil the daisies OF bronze chenille, the
suit IS lovely and artistic
The mode by which removable trains are adj
tusted TO the present style 3o,g at the back of
the skirt. may be new 10 some readers who
have their dressmaking done at home. Where
q lady goes out but little In good and varied
society demanding compliance with certain
unwriten laws OF toilette, a removable train
may be found very convenient, enabling one
handsome dress to do the work of two or three.
iawn or brown satin franchise and uncut velvet
brocade. The front of the short skirt is of bro
cade, the sides of the satin franchise, killed at
the bottom, draped and pOt}ed at the top. The
train, in this case is OF brocade edged with a
narrow p aiting OF the satin. 1t is rounded, not
too long, is divided and cut out If needed at the
top in the center for the admission of the pour,
and is carried up the sides to the belt which
holds Il. in graduated lines, which taper off 10
without the train, and with a slightly open
jacket-basQue, which may be filed up with
collar, can be utilized for dinner, afternoon re-
ception costume or with the addition of the
train for evening wear. The essentials are to
have the whole well composed as to material
and color, the latter inconspicuous and the
train narrow and not too long, as this makes it
burdensome, and the separation from the short
skirt all the more papable
AMATEUR PLAYERS.
Amateur dramatic work is becoming a great
feature OF New York society, as it has long been
of the London fashionable world The best
known amateur in New York is Mrs. James
Brown Potter, a beautiful woman of decided
talent, only twenty-three, and with strength
of character and gifts that must some day make
her felt beyond the mere passing OF the hour
Mrs. PotterS ambition, fancy is not for posi-
ton on the professional stage but to organize
and improve amateur work as to make it wor.
thy OF the patronage of the public for charita-
bic purposes, instead OF being, as it Is now linn
lted by the wishes and personal efforts made
by interested parties in favor of some special
institution.
In some notable amateur performances given
recently for the benefit of important charities
u very great Change and advance nOfippa.
bic in acting and costumes, both being carefully
studied and realistic. An "ama teur' dramatic
performance has usually been Il bit of drawing
room m;,ke-believe or absurd exaggeration, in
which the ladies were very much dressed, en-
tirely out of character, and the men tried to be
funny. but tailed dismally. Two recent matt
nee performances, Mrs Burton n. Harrison's
"Honey-Moon, at the Madison Square theater,
with Mrs. James Brown Potter in the principal
role, had audiences that any star might have
been proud OF, and exhibited every evidence on
the part OF the principals of conscientious effort
ana study. Mrs. Potter's principal costume, of
brown velvet and Russian fur, with deep fur
border and cape and toque, was brought from
Russia, and SO also was the Russian peasant
dress worn in the succeeding acts 4 charming
reception toilette, worn in the same piece was of
pink satin francais and brocade, with rich gar
niture OF embroidery and lace, and tufts of
black ostrich feathers, some magnificent speci-
mems, OF which were also mounted as q fan in o
handle. encrusted with diamonds
In some amateur performances given still
more recently, and which attracted large and
fashionable audiences to the University Club
Garrison, Miss Cornelia Van Auken was the
star of the occasion. Miss Van Auken displayed
extraordinary gifts child, both for veIsiiy-
ing and reciting, especially in character
She has never known any life but that of
wealth and luxury, except that her mother, a
famous beauty, is also equally famous for her
charities, and the daughter doubtless inherits
the power OF sympathy with diversified lives
and circumstances. On the occasion alluded to
She played a soubrettes part in a pink cotton
dress, white cap and apron, as naturally and
with us much truth and distinctneSs of outline
as II she had been born on the boards. At the
same time the part was quite freed from its
traditional pertneSs and vulgarity. Miss Van
Auken was u debutante, as also was Miss May
Brady, daughter OF Judge Brady, yet both
passed the ordeal with hardly u sign of selfcon-
seriousness, Oh apparent knowledge that they
were facing an audience. The effort OF a society
belle ana iaVOrlte To voluntarily lay aside that
individuality whicn has been won for her
laurelS i'll her social world, and personate a
character entirely foreign TO her nature and edu-
ctlon-to master the intrlcacleS OF trying stage
business demands no mean gifts or acquire
mentS, and when conscience Is put into ii and
effort and sacrifice for the benefit OF others puts
amateur dramatic work far above the routine
and chit-chat or the BALLROOM and the alternate
honey and vinegar oil afternoon teas.
y weII-knOwn literary lady and society
leader, Mrs. SHERWOOD mas hit upon q charm
Ing method OF raising mOuey ior the charities
III which she l. Interested. Fresh from Il length
eheu visit abroad she Is giving ii series OF W ed
nesday afternoon readings upon What saw
III tome Her cultivation and experience
draw successive audiences vi the most brilliant
men and women in New \ ork, who at TWO
o'clock III the day find their hostess seated at q
table, which is made center of III. mt and color
anu fragrance in an otherwise d;,rkened draw
ing room, and who are entertained, when the
reading IS over, by music aud the recital OF
original poems, or the production OF some
humorous character sketch. Madame ''Henri
GrcNIiie' Durand is the leading figure now at
az literary reunions. Ladies always wear bon
nets on these occasions and ordinary calling or
visiting costumes, but combination Oh plain
brown with DrOcaded velvet excited attention
because the sirnlture consisted wholly of brown
rosary beads, small in the interior work. but
large In outline, and forming girdie with con-
spIcuous cross and other attachments
JENNIE JUNE.