, 1888-01-19
SOCIETY AT WASHINGTON.
THE SEASONS oPENING-soMe COM
ING EVENTS.
The Ladies' of the CabInet-Mrs. Don NJ.
Dickinson in Detroit and Washington.
Changes in New Years Customs-Some-
thing About Washington Punch.

DICKINSON In Detroit and Washington,
Changes in New Years Customs-some-
thing About Washington Punch.
Especial correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-New Years day
passed off with all the flourish of one of Wag-
ners operas. There was the beating Of the
society drum and the whistling of the society
fife, and we are now in the midst OF one of
the liveliest seasons in our history. 1t is only
six weeks until Lent, and the winning and the
dining and counting and cooling must be all
crowded into that short season.
There are a number of heiresses here this
winter, and Senator Stanford has a bevy of
girls from the Pacific slope about him. The
majority of the new senators are rich, and
not q few have daughters with them. Sena-
tor Paddock can give his two girls nice mar-
riage portions, and Senator Quay is by no
means ill heeled. Don Cameron's little girl
will probably own her own house at least, il
she marries poor, and as for the daughters of
Sherman, Evarts, Waite and q score Of
others they are by no means badly off, either
in this worlds beauty or in the prospect of
this worlds goods.
Washington society girls arc noted for
their brightness, and there is no place in the
world where the social grindstone tends so
much to sharpen a lady's wits. The contact
with the greatest statesmen of the country,
the mingling with tho noted authors and
ltterateurs who make Washington their
winter home, and the introduction to the
lions of the world who assemble here each
winter, keep the young brain on the go, and
if there is anything in it, either of repartee
or thought, it is sure to be brought out. The
girl has to keep well posted as to the men she
meets, too, or she will be liable to ask some
ridiculous questions, us, for instance,
whether Sam Randall is in the house or
senate" or "whether Gen. Sheridan was u
commander of cavalry or infantry"
Such interrogatories would, of course, be
objectionable if made to the gentlemen
abovespoken of, but they are no more out of
the way than that which a supposedly well
read woman made to Howells, the novelist,
last year, when she asked him what books he
had written, and remarked that his CONVEX
sation was SO fluent that she really thought
that he could write for tho Newspapers.
Another lady asked Commodore Schley, of
Arctic fame, what noted thing he had DONE,
and one of the humorous editors greatly in
suited Winfield Scott Hancock by asking him
whether he belonged to the army or navy
The danger Of such mistakes keeps the
fresh society girls alive. They read up on
the men they have to meet, and they learn to
give 'taffy" as well as do the diplomats.
@'' $780, bi'AAb thAiL tOllllAlAlltllb pay III
which prevails to so large an extent in Wash
inSton society, invariably attracts the atten-
ton of tho stranger in Washington. 1t is,
however, n custom which prevails in all court
society the world over, and one which the
politest of nations most affects. Indeed,
''taffy' is the grease which makes the wheels
of society run smoothly, and a little lying of
this kind will undoubtedly be pardoned. 1t
is just us easy to say you are looking we'll"
NO . ,v,, aa, .---tw .l A. a.
always better received.
Don NJ. Dickinson promises to be quite IN
addition TO the cabinet circle, and tho change
to him from Lamar, which comes about in
directly by Villas taking the interior port
folio, will be well liked. Secretary Lamar
has never entertained to any extent, and his
wife is rather retiring than Other wise. Mrs.
Dickinson is n tall, stately woman, with
brown hair and dark brown eyes. She is one
of the leading society women of Detroit,
which is n city that pays considerable atten-
ton to social observances. Her home on
Fort street is a magnificent mansion, and she
and Mr.. Dickinson have been noted as So
cicty people. They have now taken u house
on Farragut square, in Washington, which
Is about three squares from the White House,
and is in the most fashionable quarter of the
city. Senator Stanford lives very near them,
and the Russian minister is just across the
way. Mrs. Whitney is only n step on the
other side, and Mrs. Dickinson will find
many II noted neighbor with whom she can
gossip without danger of getting her feet
wet by a long tramp, or the necessity of or
dering out her carriage.
Mrs. Villas is not yet very strong, and it is
a good deal of "A question whether she will be
able to remain in Washington society this
winter or not. The tour she took with the
president, with its series of accidents, was n
shock to her nervous system, and She thinks
some of going back to Madison, Wis, be
fore the season is over. Miss Mollie Villas
has been spending the holidays here, and she
has enjoyed her boarding school vacation.
Secretary Lamar went south for Christ
mas, and l am told by one of his intimate
friends hat he has decided not to board this
winter, and that Mrs. Lamar will spend
much of the season in the south. l don't i'm
ngine she is very fond of the rush and tear
of Washington society, and the secretary him
self likes n quie5 life.
Secretary Bayard's daughters are to do the
honors of his home this winter, and his
daughter Nellie has been spending the holt
days here. Mrs. Secretary Fairchild will
probably entertain considerably during the
season. She has one of the biggest houses in
Washington, and there is enough glass in
her Conservatories to roof n country court
house. These conservatorics face the south,
and they will be turned, l venture, into
promenade corridors during the winter. The
sun is very warm here, even now, md you
do not feel the need Of a fire when you have
q glass room with a southern exposure.
Mrs. Whitney and the secretary intend to
give n number of entertainments, and they
will have some friends here with them dur
ing the season. Willie Vanderbilt, the son
Of one of the millionaire Vanderbilts of New
York, has been spending the holidays with
the Whitney boys, and l can tell you the
youngsters have as strong voices and as
ardent Christmas imaginations rs you will
find in boys of poorer parentage. The little
Whitneys chung up their stockings about
the wide mantel Of the gorgeous fireplace in
the grand ball room, and it is needless to say
that they did not find them empty in the
morning.
The White House is going to boom in n
social way, and the presidents dinners have
already begun. The house is being decorated
gorgeously with flowers, and the palates of
tho guests are tickled with terrapin and
champagne. Thursday has been chosen as
the day of ceremony during the season, and
every Thursday until Lent will be taken up
ly n collaboration NJ tho Wb;tn uo,ea W.