The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-07-11
CIyERS OFsDINNERS.
WAY PRIVATE HOSPITALITY IS MADE
PUBLIC IN PRINT. -

society Ladies' Who Regularly Report
Their Receptions-Dinner Parties OF the
Swell sOrt-A Clear Case OF ConnubiO-
Social Martyrdom.
few years ago entertainments, whether
breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, receptions or
tails, we're given for the sake Of sociability
and pleasure, plus such distinction as may be
gained by the giving In the circle in which
one happens TO move. But now these consid-
erations are subordinated to the passion for
self advertising that rules society In all it's
grades. 1t seems to be the reverse Of deli
cate, this blazon Of names, Of dress, and all
the details In the press. And then to call it
private hospitality, when It Is made as pub
Lie as type, printers ink and widely circu-
lated newspapers can make it. Privacy has
well nigh ceased, SO far as aught relating to
society is concerned II your friend lives in
plain way, is socially obscure, and prefers
to be, you may take dinner at his house with
out any fear Of seeing the fact chronicled the
next morning. But If he has MEANS or is so-
cially ambitious in the least, you will be
pretty certain to find your name, with others,
IN print, as elegantly entertained by Mr..
John Jones, at No. 1900 Blank street.
1t might be supposed that only persons Of
. certain kind, who have no position, but
are anxious to secure one, would be eager to
advertise their entertainments But the
supposition would not be correct The very
best people, as they are styled-those who
have had wealth for generations are
leaders Of society-the very pinks of gentil-
ity-reguiariy report their parties, Of what
ever nature, and are soIicitous that the re-
ports be accurate Generally they try to
disguise their vanity in this regard, intimaSs
ing that the newspapers somehow get hold
OF such things. and they cannot be pre-
vented As rule, however, nothing is said
on the subject-social advertising is taken
bor granted. the hosts and guests relishing 1t
exceedingly. Nearly every daily has its
society news, In which are recorded the feat
ures OF the season. Reporters are employed
to look after such affairs. particularly FASH
ionebie houses. But they have small trouble
In discharging their duties, since they re-
ceive great assistance from the hosts Of tho
seasides. They are received with marked
kindness, though secretly; the names fur
nished, with particulars Of dress, and the
like. In some instances, the ladies who are
most deliberately dressed actually write out
descriptions of their toilets, and carry them
with them TO be handed to the representa-
tives OF the press In order to save trouble.
This sounds improbable, but it is strictly
true
Dinner parties Of swell sort are almost
always mentioned, and often infinitely de-
scribed, 80 that their givers are more inter
ested In the way they will be presented to the
public than In the pleasure given to their
guests Accounts Of such parties are fire.
quently printed by the direct connivance OF
persons endeavoring to get into society.
Dinner giving is considered a very desirable
means to such an end Two or three well
known citizens are secured, and they are
paraded with others who may be nobodies.
but who are thought to be somebody from the
company In which they figure. know
several rich men, Indifferent to society, who
have married late in life, or married second
time, and whose wives have been fired with
an ambition that they had not Women
generally feel anxious to shine socially, what
ever may be the views of their husbands,
who are fairly driven by them to act a part
that they disdain
1t IL curious to observe hard headed men.
wholly occupied with money getting until so
or more, suddenly indicted into dress suits,
put at the head of tables laden with crystal,
silver and flowers, and compelled to play
host They would rather have a dinner Of
beer or cider, than all the French dishes and
fragrant wines which they present to their
guests and assume to enjoy. Their wives at
tempt to look used to the display, and are on
nettles lest their lieges commit some unpar-
donable blunder. Poor fellows they endure
this connubio-social martyrdom with a forti-
tude worthy of better cause They swallow
what they do not like, and try to hide their
ignorance with an afr that would be ludicrous
II 1t were not pathetic. And they are re-
warded by reading the next day In the news
papers Of their simptuous dinner party, and
the distinguished ladies and gentlemen who
attended After few seasons of such sue
cess they win, it Is hoped, be launched on the
treacherous sea Of fashionable society.
Among the noted dinner givers are the As
tors tho late Mrs. John Jacob Astor, a most
benevolent, noble hearted lady, relished this
form Of entertainment within limits, the
Ward McAllisters, the Delaney Kanes, the
William II. Vanderbilts, the Elliot +. Shep-
ards, the Stewart Webbs, the Adrian Iselins,
the August Belmonts, tho George Henry
Warrens, the Philip Schuylers, the Ruther-
furd Stuyvesants, Mrs Marshall o. Roberts.
the VIII jays the Henry Clewses, the WILL
lam NJ Evartses, the Cyrus w. Fields, the
William Il. Dodges Jr., the Arson Phelps
Stokes, the David w. Fields, the Whitelaw
Reids, the William G. Whitneys, the Robert
Goelets, the Levi p. Mortons, the Pierrepont
Morgans, the Ogden Goelets, the Victor New
combs, all Of whom have the prime requisite
for fine dinner--a big fortune. -sDeuceacen
In Qlobe- Defnocrnt