The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-12-07
GOSSIP FOR THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.

season of routs balls, dinners, and amusements
of that nature, though the people who make it
q business TO enjoy themselves have rather
short season in which to accomplish great
deal But with plenty of money the social as
pirant always finds the occasion and the guests.
Washington can no longer be twitted with
provincialism. 1t becomes in winter the social
centre of the country. Money amassed else
where is brought here and skillfully used, so as
to bring to its owner goodly return in the
shape of social recognition. Do you know, my
dear, that it is query with some people ho1c
to use money after one has it, | would adj
wise the woman of wealth and ambition to "give
dinners" The very greatest results in the
social line frequently come from a course Of
handsome and successful dnner-giving.
The reputation of possessing great wealth,
combined with the genius to give beautiful and
agreeable dinners, is the "open sesame" to the
inner circle. Only people of very large means,
however, should attempt to get into society
through this medium, for the outlay required is
something startling. The decorations must be
costly, the dinner service elaborate, and the
menu and wines beyond criticism. And then
the guests This is the crucial test-to get to-
gether at ''the festive board' just the right
people. For the woman who is fighting her
way up the best policy is to begin by entertain
ing those who can be of assistance to her in the
campaign, gradually rising as the series goes on
to the most important people, who should be
entertained together without intruding any of
the smaller fry" And the hostess should
endeavor to obliterate herself, so to speak, for
one who is is always obtrusively en- eUidcncc can
never make grand success. There will soon
be the usual blossoming of buds, and benevo-
lent friend, who believes in keeping the dew on
the roses as long as possible, suggests "Cin-
derela parties,' which means that the dances
for these young girls should begin at $3.50 and
close promptly at midnight. Parties of this
kind were quite "the go'' in New York last sea-
son in very select circle. | think they are
worthy of imitation, and would certainly be
welcomed pleasing innovation by the girls
who have been eighteen for several seasons and
who fully understand the saving wisdom OF the
"Cinderella party"
We have been having ''hlgh iinksn with our
visitors from Brazil. The Secretary of the Navy
put the best foot foremost when he entertained
the Admiral and party at a banquet Monday
night at the Arlington. The decorations were
nautical from the central ornament of the ban
quet board to the blue flag of the Secretary of
the Navy, which was artistically draped on the
wall and formed background for the host as he
sat at table. | must tell you OF the ingenuity
displayed in making the chief ornament offcrns
and flowers recall the ''vasty deep" The ocean
was represented by an unduating mass of feath-
cry maden-hair. Sailing over this green sea
were models of the Maine and Baltimore, deli
cate compliment to the visitors, as they were
built on the designs of the Brazilian ships now
visiting this country. At 10 o'clock the guests
invited TO the reception commenced to arrive,
and the scene was one of great brlliancy, as the
ladies were in handsome evening gowns wearing
many Jewels, and the officers of the Navy in full
dress uniform. On Tuesday evening the Bra
lillian Admiral entertained the Secretary of the
Navy audTG company of one hundred at su-
perb dinner in the new annex of the Arlington
Hotel The banquet hall was decorated with
the great ferns and palms of the tropics, mixed
with masses of roses of every choice variety.
Orchids were placed at each cover. This was
the farewell entertainment, as the Brazilians
left on Wednesday and will soon set sail for Rio
de Janeiro. Vice President Morton, Secretaries
Blaine and Rusk, Gen. Schofeld, and Minister
Valente responded to toasts at this parting din
ner.
Turn your minds eye my friend, from all this
gorgeousness to the commonplace, everyday
streets, and | will briefly mention two curious
accidents. young woman adm1rlng the dis
play in Galt's window falls through a weak spot
in the grating and has to be sawed out. lmag-
inc, if you can, her feelings as she is slowly re-
leased, while the crowd watching her misfortune
grows larger and larger Alady enjoying ride
on her tricycle. on nsylvania avenue suddenly
finds her skirts SO securely caught in some part
of the machine that she is utterly unable to
move. A knight-errant in the shape of a news
paper man comes to the rescue, but the task is
almost the hardest he has ever undertaken He
finally succeeds in separating machine and rider,
from horseback adventure.
Have you ever noticed the aggressiveness of
women in the street-cars? Maybe they display
little more consideration in your city. You
should sec them here On Monday, late in the
afternoon, rode in a horsecar that gradually
became flied with weary humanity hanging on
to straps, while there were women in the car
sitting bias, thereby taking up two seats A
woman withtw young children entered the car,
and man considerably gave up his seat to her.
A vacancy soon occurred next to her, ard she
Immediately placed the two children on the seat
so they could look out the window, while their
dusty shoes played havoc with their neighbours
clothes. The woman paid no fare for the chill
dren, and there were tired men and women
standing. Another individual of the female
persuasion was comfortably esconced in the far
corner, with her packages snugly fitted in a
space that would have Accommodated one person.
As looked around | wondered at the tameness
of human nature, for not word of protest was
uttered against these grabbers. The conductor
looked stolidly on and said nothing. | am told
these men do not interfere because they incur
dismissal should complaints be made of dis
courtesy 10 passengers. OF course, the woman
who for nickel expects to occupy all hespace
she can in a street-car considers herself justified
in setting down any interference with her COM
fort a piece of impertinence. AS rule, the
conductors are polite and patient, and should be
instructed to compel people seated in car to
''mOve up,'' Just as policemen on the street have
authority TO make them ''move ON
You, who SO love flowers, would have wished
yourself half dozen Senators and members
had you been at the Capitol on Monday The
loyeliest blossoms of spring -hyacinths, forget
me-nots, lilies Of the valley, and violets-were
used in profuson in the costly tributes placed
on the desks of various members of the two
Houses. The Hon. Richard Yaux, of Philadel-
Dhia was cOmDlimenteQ with a most aXouisita