The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-13
CLARABELLE'SSUNDAYTALK
The Highly Proper Style in Which the
New York Charity Ball Was Opened.
Mrs. AStor and Mrs. Vanderbilt Exhibit $780,
900 Worth Of DiamOnds-Mrs. ]. B. Potter's
Bad Acting and Beautiful Clothes.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.


spacious stage, thus making waxed level
almost as gleaEifng and slippery as frozen
lake. The boxes and all other places for
spectators were crowded, but not a person
was on this immense floor. A numerous
orchestra, placed away up aloft, broke
forth suddenly with Lohengrin march.
10 this martial music a couple stepped
forth, and became instantly the focus for
l0,OOO eyes. Behind them second pair in
stantly halved the scrutiny of the assem-
blage, and procession thus headed went
once clear around the edges of the floor, and
then through the center But the two
ladies' In the quartet at the lead were the
cynosures of all eyes. The foremost was
Mrs. William Astor, matronly in trailing
gown of emerald green velvet, with a front
age OF diamonds, and gems otherwise dis
posed upon her person to the aggregate value
Oh something like quarter of million dol
lars. The second lady was Mrs. Cornelius
Vanderbilt, younger than her companion in
distinction, and dressed more youthfully in
rose-cOlored tulle, but decorated with dia-
monds almost as profusely. They had
partners, respectively, in Elbridge L. Gerry
and Ambrose c. Kingsland, but nobody
cared much about them. Two of the rich
est ladies in America were on view, and
even their familiar acquaintance watched
them eagerly and critically. They were
formally opening the charity ball of this
week. This was the first time that either
an Astor or Vanderbilt lady had consent
ed to otficiate thus at public ball, even
ly cOuntenanced the affair by an hour or
two of presence in their boxes as specta-
tors, but had not consented to step on the
dancing floor. On this occasion of unprece-
dented condescenson; they did not do any
marched at the front of the parade and
then retired to their boxes. The usage is
to form sets of lancierS out of tie process
sion, at its conclusion, the openers of the
ball taking their places in a set at the top of
the hall. But this time, in Difference to the
refusal of Mesdames AstOr and Vanderbilt,
to lend their countenance so extensively as
that, the initiatOry lanciers was omitted
and the music changed instead TO waltz,
IN which those who chose to joined, while
the two millOnairesses retired Neverthe-
less, 1t is believed that Mrs. AstOr favOrs q
relaxation of that affected exclusiveness
which has brought the McAllister people
into ridicule. This same week she gave an
afternoon and evening reception, to which
she invited over a thousand persons. AS q
summons into the Astor presence at home
means formal social recognition, it will be
seen that the hostess has for this occasion
at least multiplied the Four Hundred by
two and "a half An interesting figure on
this occasion was that of Mimi Smith, who
became Mrs. CASTOR de FOntenilliat by
marrying a Frenchman who expects from
day to day to become a Baron through the
Will put the Oldest son Ofthe parental count
into that distinction, not legallyrecognized
by the French Republic, but still recognized
socially, while the second son will become
our Mimi Smith, VIII prefix his name with
Of oO Mrs. % William x vandegfbilt, vU%gei Sissef snd
she used to be sprightly and
vivacious girl, but of late she has paid par
eide whether tO become, like her husband,
a Roman Catholic. Old Commodore Van
derbilt did not purport to be Christian at
all, but made gift of church editice to
the Rey DIR. Deems, and his second wife
late William III. Vanderbilt much inclined
to be devotional, although in his later years
he accepted u wardenship in the Episcopal
Church of st. Bartholomew. His widow
family are members there. But Mrs. Fon-
tenilliat attached herself when a girl to
very ritualistic Episcopalian Church, and
therefore, upon becoming the bride of a
Roman Catholic, she found the step to Ro-
manism not difficult. 1t was not taken
thought, however, and it was not until
several weeks ago that she finally
became communicant. Her French
husband, the future. baron, has
speculates in Wall street. Whether he
makes anything for himself or not nobody
seems to know, but the boys say that the
way in which he is pumped for points on
quickly all the truth that might lie at the
bottom of the deepest of wells
OF all the afternoon teas spread in or
about New York that of Mrs. Hicks-Lord
is the most elegant. The tea-room in her
Washington-square mansion is finished in
mahogany, and every article of furniture
is framed in that wood and polished like
a mirror. Covering the walls and hung on
panels and screens are small pictures in oil,
heads of historical braves and beauties in
enamel, porcelain or paint, photos of most
of the reigning sovereigns of the world.
with autographs, besides pictures of men
and women of worlG-renown fame. One
table-screen is devoted to miniatures
variously jeweled. anyone of which would
keep pantry in supplies for at least q
month. On side table is sort of animal
kingdom, with dogs, lions, horses, deer,
sheep, cats, moose, chamoiS, buffalOes.
leopards, cows and score of other brut,,s
ranging from one to nine inches in height
made of steel, bell metal or silver. Ali
round the room, set on the shelf of the r<an-
eled wainscot, are cut-glass tumblers the
size of claret glass filled with pink. and
scarlet carnations, making a perfect belt of
color about the room and fire place. The
tea table is also bordered and so are the
numerous stands laden with brio .a-brac.
On the hearth stone swings the tca kettle
from brass crane. and the sparkle of cut
crystal on the table with the gas Eight fall
ing over it is something dazzling. In the
service is paper porcelain tray of tea cups.
almonds; and cracker bowl, almond lar.
basin, all of the finest cut crystal that can
be found in or out of the Russian empire.
There is great deal of argument being
INDUCED in at present in re ga rd to the NOR
ality of dancing, but if any one has an idea
that the rotatory exercise is growing un-
popular in New York he should contemplate
the patronage of the leading dancing teach.
er OF the town, who has his big spare house
on Fifth avenue thron'Eed with pupils from
morning tillnight, and then up to IL o'clock.
AT o'clock on every afternoon, when the
young peoples classes are breaking up. the
avenue in the locality is thronged with a
larger array of carT.a ges than the greatest
social event In New York could call forth
and the hurrying flxurrvinp children Will