The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-02-01
GOSSIP FOR THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.

Ny DEAR LOUISE: 1t has literally rained teas
during the past week. This form of feeding
the multitude is found so convenient to people
of moderate means and no means at all that
teas increase and multiply as the season wanes.
Shop-like, society now has ''specials''-that is,
cards for particular day are scattered broad
cast among acquaintances and friends-always
with the spoken assurance that it is not going
to be tea This gives wide margin, for any
thing may be expected from cup of tea and
biscuit up to an elaborate spread. 1t comes
rather hard upon the engravers, as specials
do not require cards Of invitation, the ordinary
visiting card doing duty with the particular
date written thereon. But it is boon to the
postman, for Uncle Sans mail is still the pop
ular carrier of regular invitations
The dancing functions of the week have been
few and far between. The bdLpOltdrs at Belcourt,
DIR. and Mrs. Hammond's suburban home was as
much theme of excitement this week among
the hdute Volee as WAS the beautiful debutante
ball at Ex-Governor Carroll's last week. But
the aftermath in the shape Of advertisements
for stolen property has not yet come from the
ball at Belcourt-probably for lack of time.
At Governor Carroll's white ostrich feather
fan with silver initials was advertised as among
the lost; at Mrs. Frank Presbreys tea lace
scarf is noted as exchanged by mistake; at Mrs.
Dixon's tea "a muf of Alaska sable fur, val
liable to owner as it matches ur-trimmed
cloak" 1.-The person who received loop
handled umbrella at Mrs Stanford's' is re-
quested to return it and get ''their own,n while
another sad" in the Star informs the party
having umbrella taken by mistake from the re-
ception that one of equal value will be given
by returning to owner the distracted umbrella,
which was marked with an engraved inscrip-
tion. At a recent home wedding an unfort-
unate guest lost Valuables left in the dressing
room.
There was quite an influx of New Workers at
Governor Carrolls ball, as well as at Mrs Ham
mond's bal pOltdre This, however, did not
in the least disturb the serenity of the Wash
ington bellies, although such well-advertised
were in the field. But when Miss Mary Letter
and Miss Mitchell go to New York to attend a
rout their advent is anything in the world but
a source of satisfaction to the reigning beauties
of the metropolis. l wonder, Louise, how old
some girls are? OF course they are no older
than other people of their age, but some girls
have habit OF disappearing for time and
suddenly coming out again, and few of these
back numbers really look wonderfully y well. How
do they do it? 1t must be through leading Q
placid life far from s'the maddng crowd" and
strict attention to the rules of hygiene. Paint
on the face is now not nearly as much used as
ii was a few years ago. 1t never deceiYes any
at this fn de steele, it is perfectly under
stood that diet has much to do with prolonging
the period of youthful appearance. The milk
regimen upon which many women subsist un'
doubtedly whitens the skin. AS a cosmetic,
don't believe in it. The French recommend q
pO1lade de c0nconlbreS for occasional appliea
tion when the skin is pimply, and water il
which cucumbers sliced have been allowed to re-
main some hours is also a French prescription
for the improvement of the skin. The ever
beautiful Diana of Poictiers is said to have used
no cosmetics Of any sort in an age Of rouge ano