The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-02
AVERAGE SOUTHERN GIRL.
A FAIR WRITER SAYS SHE is SU-
PERSTITIOUS.
Chat About Numerous Subjects Among
the Gentle Sex-Mr. Elierson and Miss
Murdaugh Married-Persona1 Mention
About Well Known People.


clouds and flight of birds. just now she
dwells upon the great activity, almost
ftIrore, in the matrimonial market, and,
dropping into laconics, says: "An autumn
of weddings maketh a W inter of dullness."
Andpso be it. This is no idle prophecy, but
homemade maxim brewed from the
broth Of astute observation.
There il no doubt about the fact that If
the present outlook of social affairs be ac-
cepted as guarantee for the future, the
coming season will be an exceptionally
quiet one. Not that the absence OF gaiety
now is the reasoning power from which
we deduct our conclusions, for October and
November are wont to be yacuums OF social
uneyentfulness, but there is an utter tone OF
depression, a state Of lethargy, among the
creators Of our winters life OF frivolous
idleness that cannot be gainsayed.
Whether or not this is unwelcome prophe-
swing depends solely upon the different points
of view Of the question. The theme is one
which again and again has agitated with
pretty and earnest seriousness many a 1T
lie coterie of sO-called butterflies this sea-
son. in fact it has been quite topic IN the
courts of fashions queens, and strange as IL
NAV scientific predominant feeling is one
of relief that the campaign promises to be
an easy one, not many laurels TO win, con-
sequently not many battles to be fought,
skirmishes managed, or dress pafades en-
forced.
NATURAL SEQUENCE.
The analysis OF this state of society seem
ingly unnatural, will prove, or at least
argue. that it is only the most natural
sequence of things.
First. according TO the law Of universal
equilibrium, last winter scales were heavy
with an accumulation of brilliant AFFAIRS,
the summer was no less weighty, and now
| it is time for balancing, and we must know
that the demand is for light measure
Then these numerous knots which Hymen
has been kept busy tying has greatly re.
duced the names upon the r0ll-call, mol
alone by the mathematical paradox Of di-
minishing two to one, but the ranks have
been lessened by the force OF competition
pleasures, the successful rival often known
as domestic happiness" which means
upon the rainy night, bright fire, a smOk'
| Ing Jacket, warmly clad little woman
and a bit of cosy fancy work, versus the
yelling Of carriage numbers and slammlne
of doors in the cold rain, dress suit, tghI'
| for supper, bare necks and arms, and BIZ
| bouquets.
Another feeling with many girls about the
partial respite is just that which comes tf
US on a long rainy day aner the sun MAJ
shone mOnOtOnOusly long. 1t is an oppor
| tunity for countless satisfactory lndul
gences-iSe time when the real friend
comes, the most interesting book read, old
letters linger over and new ones writ
ten. And so this winter we may
expect the painting classes larger
| literature more an object, the cook
ing school better attended and more "BuXom
lassies. o." treading our promenade'
and filling our homes. What love is tC
man. so society is to woman, with SONS
reservations. To some II is their whole eN'
istence, to others it is ''of their life thins
apart" As 10 the happiness OF the two
classes there cannot be doubt, so mucl
| greater is that of the latter. the sum and
secret of which lies in their accepting JOY
ously and contentedly those pleasures
which come, and not flying TO others which
| they know not Of.
That some decided change will be visible
in society this season cannot be denied,
some Of the most prominent leaders Will be
absent. many of the bellies viii let their
light shine TO dazzle the masses OF other
cities, and number of the greatest
fayOrites have declared their intention OF
giving up the german entirely. TO- the
"true-bues" who do not waver, but cling
ever to the dear old gray banner OF folly.
this desertion would fill with despond, but
forthe recollectionIof the sweet, fresh debut
antes who file in place as naturally and az
buoyantly as the MOWERS and the birds come
i'm the spring time.
QUIET SEASON.
After all, this frank and honest confess
sion of many of the girls of being content
with quiet season is only commendable
test of Independence. The mental and
moral natures of different people vary Just
as their physical natures do. Because a
girls most intimate friends wear boots
smaller than she could wear comfortably
is no reason that she cramps her feet
| into boots Of the same size, and rem
ders her entire body miserable. No more
absurd and unnatural is this than the fire.
quent sight of seeing girls whose tastes and
| inclnatiOns do not fit an excess Of gaiety,
cramping their thoughts, actions, and man.
ners TO the pattern which is perfectly mold
| ed TO the life of some friend-such as
| know no greater sorrows than germans
missed, or greater pleasures than those at
| tended, and who dream of naught but balls
| and operas and realize only regret for the
past and an insatiate longing for more. But
| Of such types Richmond knows but few, e
| her praise be it said; for most OF the wOr
shippers at her shrine Of pleasure are phi
! lOsOphers yertably, who know the art Of
gracefully making a virtue out Of neces
sity: and even when society promises 10 be
as mild of flavor as that breeze which
cheers, but hot intOXlcates, they hold the
cup TO their lips smiling, with the ayOwa
that they prefer it to all others.
TOILETTES DISCUSSED.
Just now the topic of toilettes is one
| which is most engaging to ,both sexes
Even as almost every other fair acquain
lance took her summers outing across the
pond, sOnOw i'm almost every other chic pref
~ gown we meet we see the indescribablt
| stamps of Paris is their novel effect. With
their seamless waists and ground drapery
skirts we may not be far from the old days
Of trains swung over the arm by ribbon
loop, showing prOfusion Of white lace and
embroidery underneath.
London is the great mart for mems Goth
ing, but this side of the water they say that
no tailOrs cover their manliness with more
glory Of shapeiness than do those Of Rich.
mOnd. This summer young lady, who
| had visited our city, was "siZng il up"
THE Richmond girls" said she, "are by
| fan the best dressed women in the South,
and the men are not half bad. if they might
only be persuaded TO give up their
Sunday uniform. Every man seen
on Franklin street wore the inevi-
table light grayish trousers and
black diagonal cutaway coat. And as
for their mats, man has TO be ''oi an ace"
before he dare wear silk hat, as a boy has
to be before he puts on long trousers. How
ever, we forgive our foreign critic, there
was such prosperous tone in regard to our
trousers. For it has been decided, you
know, that if they only cost So they are
pants; $l2 they are trousers, and anything
over $40 they are "twowsers."
ELLERS0N-MURDAUGH
Weddings of interest are happily not yet
on the wane. We are continually supplied
with such events, have been and early
10 be. On Wednesday last Mr.. James FL
lerson, one of the most popular young men
of our city. was married TO Miss Murdaugh,
of Fredericksburg. The marriage was very
quiet, but none the less beautiful and i'm
pressiye. Among those present from Rich
mOnd were Mr.. and Mrs. j. X. EllersOn
and Miss Roy Ellerson.
A PLEASANT OCCASION.
A party of young folks left Richmond
Friday night in 'busses and were pleasantly
entertained by Miss Martha Tinsley at her
home, few miles from the city. Those in
the marty were the Misses Clarke Lille