The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-11
CURRENT rnnss OPINION.
Beauty and Ashes.

Next Wednesday our pretty fashionable
women will lay aside their gay gowns,
which during the winter have been the
envy of less opulcnt possessOrs; will put
by their airy toilets OF tulle, which have
driven modistes frantic in the process of
construction; will revently smooth out
the folds Of the simple frocks which have
captvated the other sex, and warmed the
cockles of the poor mans heart (poor de-
ludod creature, who knows not that
simplicity Is the most expensive OF all
fashions) and on that day If they do not
literally don sackcloth and sit in ashes
they at least will enyelop themselves in
stuifs that resemble sackcloth In ugliness
ana ashes in color. A season of peni-
tential quiet is upon us, when no woman
invitcth her neighbor TO 4 o'clock un-
less she be entirely without the pale.
Tho Electoral College.
From ne boston Mrdid
The new Electoral college, as 1t will be
affected by the latest Congressional ap-
portionment, is occasioning a good deal
of speculation as TO its influence on the
next Presidential election, assuming that
the new distribution of electors will OBJ
tain in 1892. The apparent effect of these
changes is adverse TO the Democracy. In
1854 Mr.. Cleveland had majority Of
thirty.seven electoral votes. If the
Democratic candidate should carry the
same States In 1899 that il did in 1884 his
majority would be but eight.
If, on the other hand, the States should
vote as they did in 1888, when Mr.. Har-
rison had majority of slxty-five the
four. All this is based on the assump.
ton that parties are not changing
throughout tho country, and that tho old
lines have not been disturbed. This, how
ever, Is n fundamental error. The lists
of Northern States that are now being
made up as sure for either of the great
parties are about as reliable as last years s
almanac's representations.
What Rochester. n. W. Wants.
From the Times.
What we want TO complete life and
society is new people--strong, rich red
| blood, mingling its warm currents with
that which has grown stiff and stagnant
| through wearing dignity too long. So.
ciety, no matter how exclusive, will be
| the gamer by constantly taking on new
| people, broadening its knowledge, sym.
pathies and ideas. Anybody who is re.
acter, is fit for the best society anywhere
If he can add something to 1t that will
amuse or instruct it.
'The Rising STAR,
| From The Ne,o York EUenin1 Post.
The interviewer of Sir Julian Paunce
fote in the Sayward case has made state
ment of his modus ope,u,adi which stamps
him as an artist of great merit and future
| promise. He says that before opening
conversation with Sir Julian in q street
car, he handed the latter his business card
$50 that Sir Julian might know that ht
| was addressed by newspaper man in his
business capacity" This was much neatel
than saying TO him, ~ wish to get youi
views ON the Sayward case to be cabled tc
the London Times" 1t was more certain
to get what was wanted than it would
have been to produce notebook ant
| proceed before the eyes of Sir Julian Il
| take down his words.
It was in every way better, because there
was just the chance, you know, that Sii
Julian might have declined to be inter
viewed at all. As the case is stated by
this rising young journalist, he put Sii
Julian on his guard by handing him Q
card very much as he might hand him Q
hot poker. II was optional with Sir Juliar
to take 1t or not. III he did take it ant
found himself burned, so much the wors,
for him. He ought to have kept sharper
lockout. The name of this rising star |.
II. NJ. Larner He ought to be appointed
professor of journalism in some smar
| young college.