The Washington critic., 1888-02-04
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
An Exhibition of Ill-MannerS at a
Washington Reception.
THE PUNCP BOWL GOING
a Chameleon In Society-Various
Piquant and Personal Mention.

was talking yesterday with Sena-
tor Ingalls,, says a New York Graphic
correspondent, regarding the fire
which destroyed his house at Atchi-
son, Kan. lie said: "The home in
stinct has always been a strong one
with me and my family. We are not
migratory. have always wanted q
home where my children could re-
turn. That has been the dream of
my life. Now my plans have all been
thwarted. have TO begin over again.
l shall very likely rebuild on the old
spot. / lost everything-the old fam
lily Bible, the playthings of my dead
children, all the family relics on both
sides of the house. had q safe in
my house which thought was good
enough. II contained all my titles
and legal papers and two silver
christening cups. 1t went down when
the second floor fell in, and later
smoke was seen issuing from about
the door, which had been sprung by
the heat. When it was opened the
whole of its contents was found
turned TO cinders. The silver cups
were melted into shapeless mass"
wv
Says a Washington correspondent
ofthe New York Sun on the subject
/of social manners at the Capital:
There are curious things at the White
House sometimes. Ill-mannered
people do not always coniine them
selves to the public receptions.
Curious exhibitions take place at the
official receptions. where the people
are invited guests. Not long ago, at
an official reception in the evening,
couple Of guests stood before one of
the East Room mantels, apparently
admiring the beautiful arrangements
of flowers, which formed mosaics of
every hue. Among the flowers there
were many roses, temptingly sweet
and lovely. And what did the two
guests do? Enjoy them? Yes, and
they took them-that is, as many as
they desired. The man deliberately
picked out choice roses enough to
make bouquet; the woman put them
together as suited her and pinned
them on the waist of her gown. II
was not one, two or three flowers,
but generous corsage bouquet, stolen
with admirable GOODNESS by two in
vited guests.
~
Says the Boston Herald editorially:
There have been very few men in
public life who have been connected
with the dramatic stage. Mr.. Charles
f. Crisp of the third district in Geor-
gis, who, as chairman of the Commit
tee on Elections, conducted with abil-
itty the case of Mr.. Carlisle, came
near forming an exception. He VAS
educated for the stage, and belongs to
theatrical family. His father was
long an actor in New York, and sup
ported Mrs. Apna Cora Mowatt when,
81: o., i siss,,s ~ NA rer of Mrs. James
e''h our day, she went
upon eSrrfn6a, starring. His
brotind- ydiIor fnsny years ago, an
actor at the Boston Musedm. Mr..
Charles +. Crisp is an excellent
speaker, and has a fine personal pres
ence as the result of his early training.
x*x
saw George f. Spencer of Ala
bama the other day, says writer in
the New York Press, and the shocky
reddish hair that used to make him
an easily recognized figure when he
was in the United States Senate is fast
turning to silver. He is the same
quiet-appearing, simply-dressed gen
tleman that he was fifteen years ago,
and is just as we'll thought of among
his friends as he was when at time
that nearly every Representative from
the South was being labeled. as ras-
cal no one dared to whisper sus-
pieion of George Il. Spencers hon
esty. When he left the Senate, after
six years service there, he was as
poor as when he entered it, and vet
his control of place and politics in
Alabama during the Grant regime
was as absolute as the Southern briga-
diers maintain down there at this day.
He went into the cattle and mining
business in Nevada, after it became
evident that no Republican had any
chance in Alabama, and he has be-
come rich, corpulent and sduly indo-
: lent since he came back east to enjoy
his fortune. He married charming
and wealthy young Florida secession
ist OF the female persuasion, and they
are the jolliest, kindliest and most en-
joyable couple, whether in their own
pretty Washington house or in one of
the fashionable hotels of this great
city. His life has been cast in pleas
ant places these last few years, and
il looks as though his days of toll
were surely over.
~
The punch bowl as part of Wash
ington social life seems fated to go,
says the Chicago 7'iJune's CORE
pondent. Everybody has noticed
that less punch and fewer wines are
offered, unless at invited companies,
than last year An observant woman
who made the rounds of the Senator's
houses Thursday declares that at only
one place did she find punch bowl.
This was Southern Senator noted for
his hospitality. In other official cir
cles where once the punch bowl
hourished tea and coffee are now
* served. II is hard on men of the old
school and FOUNDERS, who by making
! few calls, were able to keep their
palates mOistened every day in the
week except Sunday. However, their
loss is the gain OF larger element, be-
cause where wine is lacking the solid
refreshments are bountifully served.
~
Internal Revenue Commissioner
Joe Miller Of West Virginia showed