New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-20
MOURNING AMID GAYETY'
TWO SIDES TO SOCIAL LIFE n WASHING.
TON.
WEDDING BELLS AND FUNERAL CHIMES SOUND
ToGETHER-DI QUESTIONS IN
ETIQUETTE-DINNER AND RECEP.
TONS DURING TIE WEEK.

ETIQUETTE-DINNERs AND RECEP.
TONS DURING TIE WEEK
IBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TKlp->-.,
Washington. Jan. l9-Just as regularly ms tie
years come round DO certain questions Of etiquette
IerplcX and disturb the peace If Omcial circles IN
Washington. Shall the wives Of diplomats make first
calls on the wives Of Senators shall the Senator'S
wives call first tie diplomats wives This question
IS to the fore again. Every season there Is no end OF
talk over 1t. but all to no purpose. II would seem
rs If nothing short Of International arbitration will
ever settle il to the satisfaction Of all concerned To
be sure, calls are exchanged. and much paseboarrl
does It's duty But it j. al very "jeily" aud not d
bit satisfactory Two OF the diplomatic circle how
ever have struck ont for thrmse Ives. The Blush
Minister and Lady IauncefOtc have made first calls
on the senators families Thodsh it Is their first
season here Sir Julian and Lady Pauncef0tc have
neither hestatcd nor wasted time over tins per
picking question. The wives Of senators MAINTAIN
that the wiyc, Of Ministers should make first calls.
few Of the foreign ladies recognize this A. correct
etiquette and make first calls. But there arc others
WHO 90 not. In Itself perhaps, 1t would be VI small
moment When, however, senator AID his wife ~
ceve an invitation 10 reception gwen by foreign
Minister and IN, wife. calls having been exchanged
between them, the situation not only perpcNing but
embarrassing. q. course has waited for the other.
and rot The formal courtesy Of the little paste
board ha, been accomplished much les the personal
visit They are, in fact strangers, except that each
knows the name and Official station OF the other.
Now what is to be done In the ilrt place, should
the Invitation be given in the second place should It
lie accepted hut 1t j., given. and j.; not accepted
there must be, al least. the courtesy OF acknowledge
mcnt. The senator aud his v.l,. therefore. do 10
less than leave cards the Minister and h- wife.
send them am Acknowledgement of the invitation Hut
Is TINS courtesy on the part Of the senator and hi-
VIE 10 he The solution of the first call problem II is
not =" intended, whatever construction is put upon 10
by the diplomat. And It grows and grows. from
the smallest trne IN the beginning 10 vcNing, p'rpcX
ins condition Of things, charming people never meet
at all. courie-ic, become OF douatful compliment and
the hest Intentions are misintcrI rcted.
The week past VA, one Of Joy and sadness.
strangely near together. wedding bell, seemed touched
with funeral chime, and al paused before the great
soIio" thW FIJI lie % blow upon the secretary Of
state. lhc death Of Walker Blaine came with shock
lug >uddcnnc-, 10 tae large circle of friends who mad
known him 80 loa- and constantly and who had seen
An in health ouy few DAYS before. Always the
hind and courteous gentleman. alike to high and low.
he was goo les brilliant figure u social circles.
"her" bis clevcruc-- and genial nature made him q
l'o1i" WITH old and young. and whore he place can
Doc Nc flied. sympathy for tAc h'reavcd family has
hc'a widespread and sincere. Many entertainments
were gwen mp or postponed. The Presidents wife.
Who wa> 10 have gwen g Ian neon iu honor Of Mr..
Grant. ai once recalled tie Invitations
50 tie c-dcnr- 'ptou e. TIE diplomatic
corps on Tuesday evening Mrs. Grant d.-
un-u ,h'd guest. She wore mou1Iin; gown n
m.trrlc-- -k. and she was me fr.t q, pass down u"
lin" greeting with stately courtesy the Pr, dent
and Mr.. Harrison and ladies oi the Cabinet crO''
assisting tlam. Later, Ng,> Grant hcl Little court
4 her own. back q the line where there wcrc
many friends who Dad huovn her when She was