The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
PERSONAL AND SOCIETY.
Things Talked About In Society.


Converse parties something new, and have
been popular in the Eastern boarding-school
where those who attend pretty well known
TO each other, and for clubs or small social
gatherings can be made very entertaining The
guests put on their dresses or coats hind side
before, and tie q face mask over the back of the
head. The girls comb their hair to fall over
the faces. and the gentlemen have gauze masks,
resembling the hair the head, over their
faces. The walking, dancing, and all move
ments made naturally, but the converse
garb gives one the appearance or performing All
in an opposite way TO that in which 1T is usually
done. 1t is'on the plan OF masquerade, and
those who have taken part in them say they are
great fun for once twice in a season, but the
novelty soon wears on
At a recent reception a very good idea was
carried into effect. The hostess invited several
friends to assist her in seeing that every guest
was asked to tho dining-room. and so each two
ladies were given a portion OF the time to assist
in this way. No two were busy more than the
hour and il did not bring all the duty for two
to assume The honors were divided, and
happily.
After one Of the gayest social seasons ever ex-
perisnced here, society has settled down for
rest and recuperation. as there are promises of
several large and elegant parties and the Assem-
bly, ball, before Ash Wednesday, which falls
this year on the 18th of February. Shrove
Tuesday, St. Valentines day. will be the date
for the Assembly, which is the last for this
season, and they have been very successful
that a continuation for the coming year may be
reasonably expected. The Thanksgiving, holt
day, and Valentine dates allow OF special feat
ures in the line of decoration, which have and
will enter into this part of the ball. The
nual masquerades given by the singing societies
also are due. So with the custom, which is
growing. Lent will be season Of quiet, almost
as great as that Of midsummer when every one
that can has left town. The Washington social
season governs somewhat that of every city and
village in the country, and sometimes the
smaller the place the more punctilious society is
about matters of that kind.
Some women have been talking over the sub
ject as to whether tes-gowns are proper gar
rnent in which to receive friends at any kind OF
an entertainment At some of the afternoon
lat homes" the hostess will be arrayed in dainty
neglige gowns, which simply elaborate
wrapper. so these danes, whose ideas in regard
to dress were formed some twelve twenty
years ago, are reluctant I'd adopt style which
TO their minds Is simply morning gown, and
wear 1t for receptions, and these are the ones
who have been talking il over. There GER
tainly gowns made for ladies that are SO
beautiful and artistic. as well as pict-
uresque, as these tea gowns and a
hostess receiving ner friends dressed in one
would bs apt to made her guests feel more at
home, and dispel that air Of formality that one
feels in approaching hostess in black silk and
jet point lace, diamonds and Marechal Mel roses.
The latest dress reform-that of Mrs. Miller
has done more toward making dress q thing of
beauty than all who have gone before, and the
women of this city who following in her
train declare that there is more pleasure than
one could have believed in wearing comfortable,
pretty gowns.
The American Society of Professors Of Dane
ing have decided TO revive two old dances this
winter, the '1a Russo" and the "Varsouvienne,"
and will endeavor to make them rank next in
popularity to the waltz. The only new dance
will be- the Columbia" No doubt the young
ladies and gentlemen who attended dancing
schools some fifteen years ago will recall the
two former dances, they were very popular
then aud considered something extra nice to be
able to do we'll