Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26
Miss Lillian Fairface.
The Circle.

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and left at the door of the expected guest by
one OF the family of the prospective host.
The II. s. V. Z. is essential. and denotes that
the presence OF certain number is desired as
in progressive euchre, and must be known in
advance to be provided for.
THE NEW TIN BUBBLE BLOWERS,
or common clay pipes, ornamented with a
brlght-colored ribbon. neatly knotted midway
the stem. some small racquets and large bowl
of strong soapsuds comprise the necessary
equipment for the fun. 1t is a pretty idea to
have the name OF each guest on the racquet or
pipe he or she Is to use. with the understanding
that when the meet shall have ended they
can be taken home, except those used by the
winners, as souvenirs of the occasion
The racquets are easily made and NAV. with
little skillful needlework, be gotten up very
prettily indeed. They are shaped much like
the lawn tennis racquet, and the service re-
quired Of them is much the same They are
made of small sticks of wood six to eight inches
in length-the handles Of discarded Japanese
fans are very suitable for the purpose-and
small wires OF sufficient length to form a loop
or hoop, whose diameter will be about two
thirds the length of the handle. The ends of
the wire are brought together in parallel lines
and inserted in one end of the stick which for
ornamentation has been either gilded or stained
some pretty bright color. Flannel of pretty
patterns or shades is cut to fit and drawn over
". n
that the bubbles will bounce without bursting
1t Is drawn over the wire with fancy stitches
around the rim-the simple cross-stitch making
very pretty decoration when the material is
plain
GETTING READY
The suds from which the bubbles are to be
blown should be prepared awhile before the
game is announced to begin A large bowl ia
filled about two-thirds full of warm water, into
" nnanT in al 4
1t is quite frothy, and when strong enough
be set aside to cool. 1t is well stirred again
when the game commences and then the idea
is to see who can blow the largest bubbles and
Keep them alive the longest. The racquets are
used to hold and bounce the bubbles upon-
the flannel holding them without breaking
longer than any other material.
THE GAME.
The turn Of each one is designated BIZ "draw-
ing" or arranged at the pleasure of the host
or hostess. The game is made interesting bv
awarding prizes to one or more Of the guests
for the largest, longest kept alive and most
made from one blow" For these prizes art
istically decorated pipes or blowers or prettily
embroidered racquets are mostly used
"Booby" prizes are sometimes included. but
generally omitted, for the sensitiveness of the
youthful contestants is often too deeply rooted
to separate mirthful ideality from suspicious
OF real reflections upon their capabilities, and
thch ecai tOO near the surface 10 observe
the loss Of the more desirable presents without
liberation Of feelings. In fact, it is largely
as compromising grace, happily conceived. to
atone for disappointments and TO provide for
positive expectations of getting something
that the less fortunate ones are invited to ac,
cept, and take with them the pipes and racouets
with which they failed to distinguish them
selves.
After the contest has ended and the nr;ze.
have been awarded each guest is allowed at his
will TO blow and take care Of him or herself
and, verify, bedlam is turned loose, and il is'
doubtless, the most enjoyable part Of the pro,
gram.
For the little men sailor costumes tastefullv
trimmed, or arm-protectors of pretty shades.
and for the little women attractive little gowns
Of Inexpensive goods, or dainty aprons with
long sleeves, are especially useful for such oc-
casions. At the 'swell' affair, alluded To
above, the masters appeared in all the dash
and circumstance of directoire gallants. and
the misses in all the cunning conceits Of the
ever-fruitful Kate Greenaway invention.
One or two entertainments of this kind have
been given In Washington, and the indications
are 1t VIII soon become general here as else
where. Indeed, such parties are gotten M
sometimes By the older people and afford &
novel recreation and great fun for Q winter
evening.