Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-13

the assemblage, and a procession thus
headed went once clear around the edge:
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 frontage oi
diamonds, and gems otherwise disposed
upon her person to the aggregate value Of
something like quarter Of million
dollars. The second lady was Mrs. Corne.
Illus Vanderbilt, younger than her COM
panion in distinction, and dressed more
youthfully in rose-colored tulle, but deco
rated with diamonds almost as profusely.
They had partnersrespectively in Elbridge T.
Gerry and Ambrose G. Kingsland, but nobody
cared much about them. Two of the richest
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 consented to
oficiate thus at a public bali, even for
charitable purposes. They had formerly
countenanced the affair by an hour or two Of
presence in their boxes as spectators, but
had not consented to step on the dancing
floor. On this occasion of unprecedented
condescension they did not do any dancing
with the multitude. They simply marched
at the front of the parsde and then retired
to their boxes. The usage is to form sets of
lanciers out of the procession at its con-
clusion, the openers Of the ball taking their
places in 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
millionairesses retired. Nevertheless, it is
believed that Mrs. Astor favors a relaxation
of that affected excluslveness which has
brought the McAllister people into ridicule.
This same week she gave an afternoon and
evening reception to which she invited over
thousand persons. As 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 half.
Of all the afternoon teas spread in or
about New York that of Mrs. Hicks Lord, 8
is the most elegant. The tearoom 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 world-renown fame.
One table screen is devoted to miniatures
variously jeweled, any one of which would
keep a pantry in supplies for at least
month. On q side table is a sort of animal
kingdom, with dogs, lions, horses, deer,
sheep, cats, moose, chamoise, bUfalos,
leopards, cows and score of other brutes
ranging from one to nine inches in height,
made of steel, bellmetal or silver. Ali
round the room set on the shelf of the pam
eled wainscot are cut glass tumblers the size
of claret glass, filled with pink and scar
let carnations, making a perfect belt of
color about the room and fire place. The
tea table is also bordered, and so are the nu
merous stands, laden with bric-a-brac. On
the hearth stone swings the tea kettle from
q brass crane, and the sparkle of cut crys-
tai on the table, with the gas light falling
over it, is something dazzling. In the serv-
ice is paper porcelain tray of tea cups;
silver kettle and egg filled with salt for the
almonds; and cracker bowl, almond Jar,
olive boat, ice tray, lemon dish and sugar
basin, all of the finest cut crystal that can
be found in or out OF the Russian Empire.
There is great deal of argu ment being
indulged in at present in regard to the
of dancing, but ii any one has an
idea that the rotatory exercise is growing
unpopular in New York he should con-
template the patronage of the leading dane
ing teacher of the town, who has his big
square house ON Fifth avenue thronged with
pupils from morning till night, and then up
to u o'clock. At 5 o'clock on every after
noon, when the young peoples classes are
breaking up, the avenue in the locality is
thronged with a larger array of carriages
than the greatest social event in New York
could call forth, and the hurrying, skurry-
ing children with their maids and their
mothers form one OF the most bewildering
sights of the metropolis.
A clever thing on the part of the swell
dancing master is his manner Of retaining
people for his pupils season after season.
He does this by inventing new dance each
winter, and altering the waltz to such an
extent as to make it necessary to 20 to him
for the latest movement. In this way he
keeps ladies on his floor that were consid-
cred the poetry of motion more than ten
years ago. Considering the immense
crowds Of patrons that this man receives,
his income during the winter must be quite
colossal. Now that the minuet is to be
fashionable again, he will doubtless have
to hire some more mansions to accommodate
MS overflow of customers.
One of the most painful transformations
hat I have lately been aware of is that
which has overtaken a woman who, few
Years ago, was as physically luxurious as
my actress on our stage, whose spherical |
of body was impossible to sur
pass, so pink, so lovely was she. l remem-
DER Selma Dolaro when she represented all |
hat was gorgeously sensuous in comic opera,
md afterward all that was plump and de-
icious in comedy. She looked then as if |
IN illness WAS as much out Of her line as
gloomy expression OF countenance.
The other evening at theater nv escort
lesired to leave the house between the acts
Ills seat was the fourth one from the aisle,
md it was with considerable hesitation that
lie began to disturb the people in those
hree end seats. His immediate neighbor
vas sour and fat old man, who made it as
lisagreeable as possible for him when he
'assed, by digging knees into his back
nd muttering imprecations at him for
'utting him to such bother. The other
eats in the row were occupied by a very
nuch emaciated and sorrowful looking
h., f-,. L.. |