The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-25
WHEN THE BAND PLAYS.
The Promenade Concert and the Peo-
pie Who Attend 1t.

The Prom onaoe concert ana the P6O-
pie Who Attend 1t.
From the Washington Star.
Young Phyllis puts on her freshest and
daintiest dress, her brightest ribbon, and
most effective summer hat, and Corydon
dons his stiffest collar and his gaudiest
summer necktie to go to hear the band
play. To many people these public prone
made concerts in the white house grounds
Saturday evening and on the east plaza of
the capitol Wednesday evenings are the
most pleasurable events of the week They
watch the sky anxiously on the concert
day, fearful lest clouds may appear and a
shower may prevent the concert. 1t is the
only 'outing" that many city-bound people
get during the whole year. On a Saturday,
soon after 5 o'clock, every car coming up
from the navy yard will bring one or two
relocated and white-helmeted musicians
until the full Marine band is assembled in
the white house grounds. These passing
cars, with their brilliant spots of red, are
signals along the route that the concert is to
take place.
While the musicians are assembling,
along the thoroughfares leading to the
white house grounds the people are coming,
some alone, some in groups, young married
couples trundling baby wagons, nurse
maids with focks of little ones, all happy
looking, all dressed in their prettiest sum
mer attire. The gates to the semi-circular
enclosure south of the executive mansion
are closed to vehicles, but the smaller gates,
intended for foot passengers. are open, and
through these, for half an hour or more,
pours stream of humanity. For some
time after the band strikes up the people
come, The strains of the music heard on
neighboring streets attract people who are
out for promenade.
IN THE GROUNDS.
Inside the grounds the prettiest pictures
are made by the combination of shady
knobs, sun-streaked velvet lawns,
glimpses of fower-beds rich in bloom,
the flashing waters of the big fountain, the
moving throngs, the band-stand in the
central lawn, with its circles of brilliantly
costumed musicians, the white walls of the
stately mansion at the north and the ex-
panding view southwark of lawn, monu-
ment, river, hills and sky. The old
habitue of the concerts has his favorite
place where the music sounds best to him,
If the music is the chief attraction, or
where he can best see who are in the endless
chain or chains of promenaders that circle
round and around the music-stand. There
are several series of these circles about the
stand. The promenders go in groups, or
couples, anu hotp ROliB
One circle goes one way; the other reverses
the motion. Outside of these is a circle or
fringe, sometimes three or four deep,
who look on. A young woman with new
hat is pretty sure to get into the moving cir
Gle for at least one circuit. Most of those
promenading are of the gentle sex
The personnel keeps changing, as some step
out into the outer fringe and others step in
TO take their places. Occasionally baby
carriages get into the circle and cause
Jams. In the outer row will be found young
men leaning on their canes, or supporting
themselves in attitudes that indicate that
they are tired. The most picturesque
groups are scattered about the
grounds, for full liberty to walk or sit on
the grass is one of the attractions Of the
Saturday concerts.
SITTING ON THE GRASS
On the sides of the knobs facing the
music men stretch themselves out at ease,
and women, too, sit down the grass, where
they can enjoy the sounds and sights. 1t is
quite interesting to see a woman, equipped
with tournure and other modern improve
ments of dress, settle herself on the grass
There is much preliminary arrangement OF
hustle and skirts. Then, IL she is skillful,
she accompanies the final movement with
one quick turn and 6irt of her skirts, and
as she plumps down on the grass her dress
settles all neatly arranged about It, When
she rises, of course, there Is considerable
shaking and poking to be done before she is
satisfied that she is in perfect shape again.