The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
PERSONAL AND SOCIETY.
AIittia Social Talk.

Now that the holidays are over, society has
more of a settled feeling. and with the coming
weeks there will be bat little 90 interest its dew
stses, except party or reception at long IN
bervals- The season has been unusually gay,
and more large parties have been given In rapid
buccession than for several seasons past Ane
usual round OF smaller gatherings are kept up,
gear in and year out. and vary but little IN
style. Like fashions, they come and CO. Now
d is cards. progressive suchre, whist,
sr something else, Another ume
every thing ia dancing and every company for
the time being will be that kind. Then women
will start In on their afternoon receptions OF
teas each IL just like the last Once 10 while
the guests are not exactly those who were at the
previous ones, but as a rule, every one knows
Just about who will be there and whom they VIII
accompany or be accompanied by, just how much
they will have to say, and one could almost tell
what topics will be discussed. The success OF
an afternoon tea or reception depends largely MP
on ones home and appointments. You enter tine
door, and proceed up stairs to lay on your
wraps. Sometimes there 10 maid 10 ASSIST
you. sometimes not Everything Is in apple-pie
order. The best shams cover the pillows, ana
the drawn linen scarf covers the dresser, ana
upon it are arranged the toilet cushions, bottles
and the like, which are kept out OF sight except on
state occasions You descend to the parlor. At
the door stands the hostess to welcome you. and
often other members Of the family or friends
guests behind you. and you are obliged to pass
on. Through the din of voices you
can hardly hear yourself think. and
as for distinguishing any of the sounds made by
the orchestra up stairs, it is simply an impossi-
bility. You are pushed in every direction by
the surging crowd. for. while guests were In
vited from 3 10 6, the first one made her appear
ance at exactly lis o'clock, and she had not de-
Bcended TO the parlor until everyone seemed to
be there, as that seems to have been the hour
zach one made up her mind to 60 The ordi.
nary conversational tone Is gradually raised
until you have to shout to make yourself heard.
Every body is there and talking at once. and
then everyone expects to be served In the dining
room before leaving, ana again IL Is
Imp ossible that all of this can be done in an
hour and half, the amount OF time from the
advent Of the first caller until the hours are
over. Now, if some twenty five had gone on
time when the hostess was ready, in every par
ticular. there would be that many who would
few words with her, get to the dining-room and
ont again, to make room for others, and still
enjoy seeing all friends. Those who have en-
tertalned know how this 10. and would like to
have it comfortable for each, instead OF the
rush OF greetings and adieux, and guests could
gather earlier, il they would only make the ef-
fort. Anyone who would introduce some new
form OF social entertainment would have given
cause for thanks from the community. Teas,
receptions and parties alike, and change
would indeed be gratifying. both for those who
desire to entertain as well as the guests,
New Years day and evening about closed the
gay holiday season. There were quite number
of houses thrown open, and where there were
good many receiving, about two hundred gentle
men called, with the exception of the Y. NJ G.
a, where the large membership swellsd the list
70 more than twice that number, showing that
about that many were all the gentlemen who
desired to call upon their lady friends on that
day
The Kindergarten Twelfth-night festival at
Mrs. W. O. De Ways. on Friday Eight. was
0r0at and d09criutlOn that cOuld he
given would give an idea of the perfection of de-
tail with which all was carried out. The work
done by the ladies is not half well enough
known to the public They maintain FIVE
schools, and have within the past year COM
pleted a new one, and it is all paid for. Each
section of ladies pledge themselves to raise
$500 year by subscription, fees entertain
ments, in order to keep every expense paid, and
their efforts are uniformly successful