Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-07
AROUND IN GOTHAM.
A aupoET OF INSIDE NEWS ABOUT
PROMINENT NEW WORKERS.
Wifi Of Ex-secretary whitney-Great En-
tertainments OF the winter-Ths King
of the Dudes on Evening" Dress.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispstch.l
NEW YORK, December 6, 1890.


ncouespondencs Of the Richmond Dispstch.1
NEW YORK, December 6. 1890.
The season OF dinners, receptions and
teas has opened with unexpected ct
Effectiveness. Not in many years have
the CAV world looked forward to winter
OF enjoyment with such thorough zest
as at present From ono end to the
other of Murray Hill the butterflies Of
fashion are in ferment about dinners
To take place, balls, weddings, and other
interesting events where it is possible to
spend large amount OF money and
entertain on lavish scale. OF
the people who are likely to
be brought forward prominently this
winter, as social leaders. none will
stand better chance OF success than the
wife OF ex-Secretary Whitney. She has
already given a few breakfasts and din
pers that have been attended by the
best people here and in Washington,
and she promises to give the Astors, the
Vsnderbilts, and the others very lively
chase in the matter OF elaborate
entertainments. Mrs Whitney Is
peculiarly fortunate In having a
house TO entertain ina house
built on o prlncely scale, filled
with rare pictures and works Of art, a
veritable museum OF treasure. And to
these may be added superb chef a
retjnue OF well-drilled servants, and a
dining-room largo enough to sit forty
couples at dinner. Mrs. Whitney has
taken it into her head to lead in all mat
tiers of social prominence. She has iden-
tilted herself with q great many charita-
BILE institutions, and she has as power
full ally Ward McAllister, who, despite the
enemies he has made by his ill-advised
book. is still social factor. OF course,
Mrs. Whitney will not be allowed to
WELD the sceptre without struggle, but
she is as clever a diplomat as was Tai
leyrand, and with fortune that brings
her an income Of half million year
she may be depended upon to more than
hold her own in the contest.
MRS. PULITZER.
One of her most intimate friends at
present is Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer, the wife
of the owner of the World, who is also
likely to be heard Of during the winter
as an extensive entertainer. Mrs. Pu-
liter is singularly attractive woman, a
| delightful conyersationalist, and as
charming friend as one need have.
OF course, there are others besides
Mrs. Whitney who will give large en-
tertainments, and all the swell caterers
are engaged in pulling their chefs for
some novelty to startle the elect with.
| Delmonico's new ballroom is one OF the
handsomest places in this country, if not
| in the world. 1t has been engaged for
every night, beginning with December
| 1st. until Lent The most of the fash
ionable balls will be held there. All the
| big dinners of the season will be given
there. In fact, it will be the magnet to
draw society together six nights IN the
week.
SCORE OF RIVALS.
But Delmonico has rivals-a score Of
them. They are also as busy as bees ar
ranging for coming feasts, and 1t would
be difficult indeed to make an arrange
ment for big dinner or ball at any OF
the frst-class places, even If one pro-
missed a fabulous sum.
/ was talking to Ward McAlister the
other day about the great growth OF en-
tertaining in New York, and asked him
if he could roughly estimate the amount
Of money spent by the Four Hundred in
dinner-giving, balls, and receptions du-
ring the winter "At least 800, 000," L
said to him venturesomely. He looked
Mt me for moment in a discouraging
sort of way and mildly answered, :" One
million wouldn't cover ii.
KING OF THE DUDES OFF TO LONDON.
Louis Onatavia, who temporarily, at
any rate, occupies the throne, and is
called the liking Of the dudes, is now
on the bounding pillows, going as fast as
steam and sail will carry him to Lon
don, where he may be depended upon
TO astonish the London svells Onats-
via has a few marked characteris-
tics, chief OF which is his love for
loud clothing and fast horses. He
must have Mt least two-score OF
fancy waistcoats, quite as many pair
OF trousers, and he is the only man In
New York who possesses three dozen
robes dc chdmbrG, in all shades of rich
silks and profusely embroidered. AT
little dinner given to him at leading
club the night before his departure, Mr..
Onatavia was asked to give his opinion
on the correct evening dress for man,
subject, by the way, that seems to be
| L %. in oftu SOL
he : "The full-dress suit is distinctive
" the evening dress, and should never
be worn before the evening dinner. 1t
can be worn anywhere in the evening
and must be wen on all occasions OF
formal ceremony, such as weddings,
party dinners, receptions, theatre and
opera parties, and other occasions whose
| formal character is indicated by formal
invitation, and where social amenities
are at their highest.
THE PROPER MATERIAL.
Fine black worsted, either OF very
narrow diagonal or OF fine wales run
ming nearly straight across the web, is
the proper material for coat, trousers,
and vests or, il desired, the latter may
be Of white or black silk. Coats may
have collars cut either with or with
out lapels, the former style being
most in favor The roll in either
case is light and long, extending to
within five inches Of the waist. Hand
some embroidery upon the waistcoat is
now frequently used, but is not abso-
lutely essential. The collar should be
moderately high and may either be
straight or with turnover points. The
favorite straight collar just meets in
front and the points are just bent
trihe but not turned over. The full.
dress shirt must be plain white,
and may either be linen, pique,
or damask bosom, opening IN front.
If of linen, it may be either
plain, pleated, or embroidered. The en-
broidered front is most desirable the
pleated front the least so, as the latter is
not greatly In vogue. The plain front