Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-03
NEW YEARS CALLINGS
OBSERVANCE OF YESTERDAY IN THE
FASHIONABLE WORLD.
A Blight Though Cool Day-Notes and
Comments on the Way Richmond
Inaugurated 1885.

AaehE ~N~'
The first day OF the new year falling
on Sunday yesterday was recognized
by law and society as the holiday to be
celebrated, and after the morning
hour" as statesmen say, the weather
was beautiful. 1t was of that frosty but
kindly character which Shakespeare com
mends, and which is always acceptable
when it comes, as on yesterday, under
the coloring Of blue sky pnd finds and
leaves the sidewalks dry and ice-iree.
The governmental portion of the COM
munity were strict in their observance OF
the day and only a few of the public
functionaries were found about their
usual haunts. At the new City Hail
building, however, the music OF ham
mer and anvil and the chip and click OF
the stone-cutter's chisel went on merrily,
the workmen preferring to add to their
months financial exhibit rather than to
have day of.
The streets were thronged with we'll
dressed people and the matinees were
well attended. For the great mass OF the
community who had taken holiday there,
however. seemed TO be absolutely no
programme 4; and while it was day OF
idleness. it seemed TO be one full OF en-
joyment and almost free from noise and
eXceSses.
NEw-YEAR's RECEPTIONS.
II was a long time before the fashion
Of having New-Year's receptions would
take root here, but having now got well
grounded it is hard to break 1t up.
The news comes from New York and
Washington and other centres which lead
off in society matters that New Years 8
receptions are growing into innocuous
desuetude but the edict hasnot yet gone
forth that they are to be stopped utterly.
In Richmond yesterday there were not
SO many receptions as formerly, and the
number Of callers seemed to have de-
creased. too, but some of the receptions
were very brilliant, and pretty girls
dressed in the very best possible taste
abounded.
AT THE GOVERNORS.
The Governors mansion, perhaps, saw
larger crowd than any other house.
The Governors lovely wife was assisted
by Miss Myers, Miss Cullen, Miss Jun
gcrich, Miss Owens Of Savannah, Ga,
Miss Lockwood of Boston, Misses Nan
ME Fowlc, May Handy, and Josephine
Lyons, and between and 6 the paTlors
of the Executive mansion We're bril-
liantly lighted and crowded with y1si-
tors. Among those who called were
General J. II. Anderson, Colonel Archer
Anderson, William Writ Henry, Major
Robert Pinckney, DIR. Cullen, DIR. Ross,
DR.. Isaiah White, Mr.. 7. n. Page, Colo
mel 10. Lane Stern, General Charles j..
Anderson, Colonel Randolph Harrison,
Mr.. Thomas Branch, Mr.. Carter Branch,
Mr. Ashton Starke, Mr.. Myers (of Myers
Brothers Il Co. with a number of ladies,
Mr.. r. G. Pegram, Jr., Mr.. Barton
Haxall, Mr.. Triplett Haxall, Mr.. Willie
Grant, Mr.. Lillian Myers, Mr.. Il. I. d.
Myers, Jr., Captain Charles U. Will
Hams. Colonel G.. O'B. Cowardin, Mr..
George Y. Moncme, Mr.. George c.
Lafferty, Rev. Mr.. Turner of Louis
vile, Mr.. John Dunlop, and Mr.. John
Branch.
During the reception number OF the
gentlemen rendered some choice vocal
music, which was greatly enjoyed by
the large crowd present.
7. NJ. c. A.
The New Years reception at the Young
| Mems Christian Association last night
WAS most delightful affair. There were
between four and five hundred callers,
and Secretary Thomas gave everybody O
cordial welcome. A bountifulrepast was
prepared 10y committee of ladies con
/ sisting of Miss Bette Ellyson, Mrs. s.
B. Wilson. Mrs. George z. Stacy, Mrs
w. p. Daily, Miss Sarah Brooks, Mrs
NJ. F. Peasants, and Mrs. j. A. Grigg
The most interesting feature of the en-
/ tertainment was the exhibition in the
gymnasium under the direction OF Pro
fcssor Thomas Cornelius. Messrs. JohI
Hankins, J. G. White, A. B. Price, NJ
Burk, and G.. 7. Cadot were much ap
plauded for their skilful performances
Altogether the occasion was one OF rare
enjoyment, and everybody left hoping
there would be many returns.