The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-12-14
GOSSIP FOR THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear louise The
Goings On in Washington.

n
elapses between New Years day and Ash We'd
nesday. The theatres putting out their best
attractions and the Choral Society opened its
eighth season on Thursday night at Lincoln
Hall with a fine rendition of Handels "Mes-
siah." There was a brilliant house; the very
best element of Washington society was present
in elegant array. Mrs. Morton occupied one of
the boxes with the Vice President and two of
their daughters. This was the first appearance
of the Vice Presidents family this season. The
most important parts in the oratorio were
rendered by Bostonians. Indeed, we have had
an influx of musical Hubbtes this week, as the
Boston Symphony Orchestra made Lincoln Hall
a musical Mecca on Friday night There is
considerable musical taste and talent in Wash
ington, and Mrs Thurher, who has taken apart
ments at the Shoreham for the winter, is already
in the field making heroic efforts tu establish q
musical centre in this city. The oratorio and
concert exhibited the best style of classic music,
and | enjoyed both to q certain eXtent-but, as
you know, am like the man who didn't know
anything about art, but knew what he liked
so when l read that Patti made her first appear
ance at Albert Hall, London, this season, sing
ing 80 luce di'' from 'Linda," and the "Banks
of Allen Water,' with ''Comn' Thro' the Rye''
and the Last Rose of Summer" thought how
blest were those who were there.
have had an experience lately, Louise, in
hiring servant, and must tell you about it,
A great, brawny woman, well recommended for
general housework, applied for the vacancy in
our household. | commenced the usual cate
chising by asking her If she made good bread.
She replied that in the families where she
worked the bread was always bought at
bakery. then inquired as to her ability to
manage coal fires. "Where 1 have lived there
was always a man to attend to the fires" Very
politely then asked: "Do you object to wash
ing windows ?" 81 have never lived in a fam
lily where such work was required of woman,"
was her indignant reply. | ventured one more
question, just for the fun Of it, "Would you
consent to do washing and ironing?" "Where
have lived the families always sent their wash
| to a laundry" Very seriously l then said:
| care you good performer on the piano, and
do you paint in water colors?n You should
| have seen her looks as she stalked out of the
| house.
The bowling class and the dancing class have
| reorganiZed and will do all they can in the
short time allowed them. The French class is
usually resuscitated after New Years. This is
| the class that insists upon great eXclusiveness-
| protesting to include very few of the political
| set, its membership being maintained princi-
| pally among those whose affiliations are with
| the Diplomatic Corps. An old lady remark ed
| to me when reading over list of the members
as she came to a certain name, There is no one
on the list whose connection was SO intimate
| X
of this person, for he was 'the Chef of the good
dinners given in the foreign circle in the days
of Lord Bulwer, Baron Gerolt, and Count Bo-
Disco" After all, we live in America, and why
shouldn't people rise to the top Of the wave
| l recently called at an elegantly-appointed
mansion In one of the most fashionable neigh
borhoods with woman OF prominent social
position. She said to me, as we drove to the
| house, 81 have certain reasons for making call
here, but do not forget that this woman had no
existence before her residence in foreign climes"
| | found in the course of our visit that the host
ess referred to her residence in star Cathay"
with the same persistency that Mrs Skewton
did to her husband having been in the indigo
trade; and the reason thereof was made clear to
me when my friend subsequently said that the
possessor of all the gorgeousness and luxury we
had just seen worked sail the days of her
YOUTH in an humble capacity in this city.
know of family who claim distinguished
French connections from the middle name of
the 'tpater fanlliaS," which was given him in
pure fancy of the high sounding by his worthy
''maternal, /" who was thorough-going, hard
working domestic.
If you want to be really fashionable don't have
nervous prostration. 1t is longer the disease
cause the Princess Maud of Wales has been suf-
fering all summer from this troublesome all
ment it is the thing to have, if one must be i'll
at all.
You who were always SO fond of delicate,
dainty stationery must draw a sigh of relief at
the passing of the blue, red, and orange note
paper, with the envelopes decorated with mon
sters of animal and insect life. The decree of
fashion is that purest white, faintest blue, or
most delicate cream is the only style admissible
among the elect. small monogram in gilt or
silver is exceedingly good form.
Do you like the wells with one or severa
beauty spots? Elizabeth, who has just come
from Paris, says she saw wells on which were
squaws circles, and ships initiating the patches
of the days of Louis QuinZe. Doyou remember
Pepys in his diary speaks of his wife wearing ON
her face n mourning coach and horses cut out
of black court-plaster?
Everything in the way of trimming for street
wear runs 10 fur Lacking fur, feathers are
used. Black fur is more fashionable than any
other variety. Feather collarettes and boas are
comfortably light in weight, but they cost al
most as much as fur and are very perishable.
For the buds garlands of crushed roses and
other flowers are used to form necklaces and it
is a charming fashion.
We have had Mr.. and Mrs. Stanley here, and
| think there was as much curiosity to see her
as there was to hear him. People who expected
TO see ''the counterfeit presentmentn of the
charming girl of ''Yes or MOI must surely have
been disappointed, for it is difficult to believe
that she ever sat for this celebrated picture.
Mrs Stanleys appearance is that of fine
| looking, healthy Englishwoman, with marvel
GUS complexion of white and red-the latter OF
the tint of the Jacqueminot. She is quite tall
Have the ''face masseursn set up in your city
yet? Doubtless they will soon range them
selves beside the manicures and the chiropo
dists. If you a woman with bruised and
sore face you may be sure that she has under.
taken the business for herself, without using
subsequently preparation of melted wax, il
which there is combined almond oil and rose
water 1t is essential that some such healing,
softening preparation be put the face aftel