Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29

People come 90 far to Capitol Hill that
ieel if II is their habit to use wine, hospital
ity demands that serve it. Justice FielI
Likes cup OF chocolate better than any
thing else when he makes calls, and
always have it for people who, like him
prefer it.
TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
"I can notice decided change il
| custom in ten years. Sherry, claret anC
champagne used to be served, but hardly 4
house in Washington has anything bu
claret for mixed companies in these days
In the time have been in Washington
never saw but two people intoxicated at mJ
New Years receptions. Nearly ali the
Supreme Court families serve light wines
on such occasions. I believe ex-Justiee
Strong is the only one who never has il
even at his dinners"
I next met Mrs. Senator Hale, of Maine,
and got an expression from Neal Dow'a
prohibition country.
She said: Tea is the bulwark Of Wash
ington society. and it should have kept the
old custom from falling, il wine was the
cause OF the fall. have always thought,
however, that the reason people gave it up
was because they we're too tired after the
Presidents reception. to stand from IL to 6
receiving. At least, that was the rea-
son gave up my New Years recep-
tions. 1t Is pity. too, especially for
the elderly gentlemen. They used to enjoy
it so much. When I received I always
served tea, and, as I am somewhat bigoted
on the subject and think tea should be good
tea, I have not been particular to place
pretty girls at the table, but always put
someone who knows how to brew drink,
although the person might not be debu-
tante. I have always had decanter Of
sherry on the table, and the guests might
use their own judgment about taking il.
Mrs. Senator Sherman, Mrs. Senator
HawleY, Mrs. Senator Spooner and Mrs.
Representative Burrows will serve nothing
but mild, innoeuous refreshments on New
Years Day.
The debutantes do not agree with the
matrons. They like the old custom and say
If it is to be kept up it is only by serving
wine. One of the prettiest of last years
conservatory had her "coming-out'' party
last New Years. As the s.men" were pre-
sented to her. she turned blithely to her aids
and said, Take him out now, and fill him
up with champagne"
Goodness, with what horror the mothers
do quote herI They prophesy all sorts Of
eVlI Ior ner, Dub sne IS now pursuing
course Of notable success. She is Sena-
tors daughter.
1t is, indeed, black outlook for General
Van Vliet and the other famous men who
have called on their friends for the last
quarter OF a century. If they get anything
at all it will be what chagrined Justice Of
the Supreme Court at reception last year
called "a mild tip, truly a mild tip-a
California claret punch, with straying
slices of lemon"
There is one ray of hope. At some houses
the sparkle ofMumm's extra dry still mates
The CLEAN in the callers eye, and the cork of
Veuve Clieqout mounts upward with his
spirits. The wives of Senators Stock
bridge, Quay, Mcmillan, and Frye
Is well as those mentioned before
will not give q drop TO drink, but |
most of the hale Justices of the Supreme
Court will have decanters as well as coffee
lrns, and there will be a light punch and
lerchance champagne, where the wives of
he Senators EVarts, Edmonds, Dawes,
Oolph, Paddock, Stanford, Ingalls,, Cock |
ell and Davis are hostesses.
MISS GRUNDY, JR.