The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-02
George William Curtis in Harper's
Weekly Philosophers on the
Society" Column.
An Elegant and Elaborate Recep-
ton by Mrs. Babcock and
Mrs. Weston.
In Honor of Miss frankie Jureens-T The
Social Society Of st. Peters
Other Events.

Mr.. and Mrs. b., and that more or less rio
Messrs. and Mesdames c., D., E., F., G., II
l. and j. dined with them, all dressed
their best clothes. II these good folks We,
in any way distinguished, if they had dor
or said or written anything, if they ha
painted fine pictures, or carved statues {
mark, or designed noble buildings, q
composed beautiful music, if they ha
effected humane reforms, had etfectivel
cheered or ennobled or enriched huma
life, or in any way had made the world bet
ter and men and women happier, tho curl
osity to hear of them. and to see them, an
to read of their daily course Of life, woul
be as Ineligible as the pleasure of seeinI
the birthplace of Burns, or walking in Ann
Hathaway's garden, or seeing Washington
bedstead or sitting in his chair. But t,
read day after day in the paper, this colder
domesday-book, the lists Of rich people VIII,
ate terrapin together, or danced together
in lace frills and white cravats afterward
and to read it with avidity, is a curious
phenomenon, an extraordinary perform
nnce. You might say that nobody does it
but the column of the newspaper which il
devoted to this narrative, contrasted with
news from every country is discussed, con-
olusively establishes the fact which you
doubt. The newspaper understands itself.
1t is a shrewd merchant who supplies the
demand in the market.
But ia there no other than a humiliating
explanation of the fact? Is it only snob-
bishness, mean admiration of mean
things9 Are we all essentially lackeys who
love to wear a liveryp Or il it not rather
all this interest in the small performances
Of those who, if distinguished for nothing
else, are the distinguished favorites of
fortune-the result of the ceaseless aspira-
ton for better condition. and the in
stinct of the Imagination to decorate our
lives with the vision of a fairer circum-
stance than our own, and to revenge the
tyranny of fate by the hope of heaven? If
the fine Titania could sing to Bottom,
mime ear is much snamored Of thy note,
Thou art as wise 40 thou art beautiful"
Why should not our Liberal fancy sing the
same song to the four hundred? They may
be deftly enchanted to our eyes il to no
others, and to our view, our Bottom also be
translated.
In a less degree, in our prosaio and plod-
ding routine, we invest the life Of the IA
vorites of fortune with an ideal charm. It
is. to our fond fancy, all that it might be-
These figures are not what Circe's wand
might show them to be. They are Gods
and goddesses feastinR, and in happier
moments we feign ourselves possible
lxions to be admitted to the celestial BAN
quet. In the streets of the summer city
their palaces are closed, their brilliant
equipages are gone, they do not sparkle and
murmur in their opera boxes, nor roll
stately in slow lines along the trimmed av-
enues OF the park. But still the celestial
life proceeds, n little out of sight, its lovely
leisure brimmed with deeds becoming those
who have no care but to do good and to
transhgure their own good fortune into a
blessing for the world. We read the gross
details /, dress and dinner. But they re-
mind us only more keenly of the ample re-
source, the boundless opportunity which
our favorites of fortune enjoy.
Byron says, "'Tis pleasant sure to see
ones name in print" Although not always
strictly true, this saying of the poet, yet to
most OF us who have done worthy deed,
have helped our fellowmen, or for few
short hours have made life SUMMER for our
friends by kind and gracious hospitality.
an appreciation of the same manifested
through the press is not distasteful. The
reception given by Mrs. Weston and Mrs,
Babcock on Thursday afternoon from three
to six in its elegance and taste surely mer-
tied all the praise bestowed upon it by the
favored guests. The ladies received their
friends at the home of Mrs. Babcock and
after few pleasant remarks and an inter-
change Of greetings they were escorted by
the Misses Guthrie. Sanders, Herriok and
Shiland to the home of Mrs. Weston for re-
treatments. The floral decorations were very
beautiful. Chrysanthe,nums were THE flower
and the smilax's graceful sprays were
twined about, making the chandeliers and
pictures take on new life The mantle was
with bank of chrysanthemums of every
color, shade and size. Vases Of the same
lovely autumn flower graced every nook.
The tables wole made a. elegant as silver,
china, and dainty linen could make them
and each was graced by boquet of roses,
verbenas, Hibiscus, heliotrope. or chrysan-
themums. lady who 10 authority on the
subject pronounced the refreshments "the
finest of which abe had ever partaken." A
Roman epicure of the time Of Nero.vould
have risen from tho table and pronounced
benediction upon the heads of tho host
esses.
10 add to the enjoyment Of the hour
Professors Romandy and Vollert rendered
in their exquisite style some fine selections
from the Poet and Peasant, Faust, II Tray.
atore, Bohemian Girl, and other COMPOST
tions.
The ladies who assisted Mrs. Weston and
Mrs. Babcock in receiving were: Mesdames
w. F. Sanders, Joseph Davis, w. E. Cox.
A. N. Hotter. George May. and Lockwood.
The Misses Guthrie, Herrick, Sanders, and
Shiland were especially delegated to escort
the guests from Mrs. Babcock's to Mrs.
Weston's for Entertainments. The young la
dies who 30 gracefully attended to the
wants of those seated at the tables were the
Misses Clara Wade. Nellie Cuthbsrt, Nellie
Bach. Emily Lehman, Barbour, Pearl Dav.
export, Margaret Robinson, Lizzie and
Katherine Sims.
Mrs. Weston received in black bengal.
inc silk with silk passementerie and real
lace trimmings, corsags boquet of red and
yellow ohrysanthemums.
Mrs. Babcook was attired in q gown OF
dark amethyst plush, v neck back an ]
front. with elbow sleeves, the trimming
was paasemsnterie of different shades o1
amethyst. Her ornaments we're diamond
and Q string of gold beads adorned heI
beautiful neck; tan gloves and fan complet.
Cd her elegant toilet.
Nrs. Joseph Davis wore gown of black
ailk velvet and white MORE silk en- train,
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