New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-29
MR.. MCALLISTER ON SALONS.
HE BELIEVES THAT SOCIETY NEEDS IHEM'
NOT TILL FAMOUS PEOPLE MEET IN BRILLIANT
DRAWING ROOMS WILL SOCIETY

feature Of socety's entertainments lie repied tha'
in his opinion the social leaders of America would hod
salons than which better means could De Iouu io'
developing society TO the point reached by the oiuer
society Of Europe He discussed the subject al some
length and said that the future OF society III America
Of great interest 10 him he would IL V'e VIZ
cared ndite an article on the subject which could NC
printed over his signature. This oiler was tinii'his
accepted and the article is here appended
Many try 10 argie themselves Into the Delei tha'
IN this city society is myth They are Simply so''
agnOsiics and do not believe In society because t'oS
do not IT, They try to argue themselves n'o ."''
belief because they cannot bear the convchoh that
there Is a class to which they are not reearue' as
part Now we really have here a society composed
OF cultivated and refined people. We are, II Is nue'
young society," and still require little eiaooratoh'
IN LONDON AND PARIS.
"One OF the great features of society IN London
and Pairs for two centuries has been Their salons.
We are in that respect wOfuy deficient society mere
needs them badly. II Is fact that Tor sevefai years
we have had but salon in this city, mean an
evening gathering of charming. cultivated people, 70
which one can take all distinguished strangers anu
find there the wit beauty and distinction OF the city,
century ago. Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu. woman OF
great distinction. at Montagu House. received IN
formally Of an evening all that tashqnable, lit
erarv and political in society. Her salon became
famous and She was dubbed The Queen oil the Blue
stockings Mrs. Mantagu general ana liberal
in her entertainments. much so that those osposeu
10 cav felt that these gatherings were very mixed
on the other hand, Lady Cork. who also received Ia
this way assorted hec guests by collecting together
her friends in deachments Her titled guests attended
her mink salon. her literary friends her blue
soirecs and her gray religious tea parties were the
amusement Of all London.
Another distinguished woman who held great SOCIAL
and political power through these receptions was
Madame de Stacl. Her wealth and her Wit a'traccd
TO her most Of the people worth knowing III f"lh' 10y
her social power she saved the lives OF her ireh's
during the French Revolution She was the most
brilliant woman of the period in which she lived. and
the first Napoleon was induced through his fear of e'
power TO send her into exile Again, in England, Lady
BessngtOn received at Gore House. and Lady Holland
at Holland House all Of the talent Of that day. though
fashion did not co. At Gore House DlSrac and Louis
Napoleon took their first diplomatic lessons
"The Influence of these salons al time when the
press had not much liberty felt Though all social
and political circles Lady Palmerston has also held
political salon since that period No salon has ever
exercised a power that equal to hers. Now the
newspapers are to some extent substitute iOI tesc
brilliant gac,ngs I'm that they arc able ~ disseminate
the information that formerly was atanable only by
the gathering together intervals informally Of the
sources of knowledge.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE HERE.
ain this country for years Mrs Hamilton Gray OTIS
I'm Boston, held weekly what We NAV call an American
salon. In this city Mrs. Sidney Brooks followed her
example and now to-day third woman OF the world
has taken them up where they left or and in both this
city, in winter, and in Newport, in summer, brings
together of an evening weekly all the distinguished
strangers in the city, who are SUITE to meet there all
that i, most Interesting and desirable in society Even
i'm Washington one has As yet undertaken TINS most
charming mode # bringing people getrer oi an evening
Informally as far as know. The introduction OF THIS
species Of social tactics feel, however. will not be
long delayed. society requires the salon AZ feature
and society will therefore have il.
The salons Of the past were In no sense balls or
dances: they were simply conversation. We can
easily imagine their attractiveneSs embracing n they
did not only the wit and beauty Of the land, bat
representatives Of literature and politics morning
or afternoon reception docs not constitute salon, but
il Is the fact Madame informs society that she is at
home during the entire winter on certain evenings 10
receive her friends informally
Admitting that there is such a thing as society,
abroad and here let us how one manages
70 enter il, portals London is the worlds
social centre ~ what potent charm is ore
then admitted to the inner circlci reply from my
own experience that charity covers multitude Of
people as well a multitude Of sins. Win your
boat well frcighted with gold and the Princess
Christian as yonr pilot You can sail through the
portals aud safe ancnOfaPc No NHVI' MI
woman Of great fortune knocks at socety's doors In
London In vain. The raps are heard and needed BY
this kind Princess, who devotes her lie to good
works and al once the petitioner is given hearing.
Then come suggestions 20 this or that charity, the
purse strings l0oscncd large amounts are at ohco
extended and the flow of gold continues until The
fair donor IS firmly seated on the social seat IN
other words. one buys ones way In. This Is only
one way Of obtaining an entrance into London society.
daat Of hat Ort ~
thing goes on herc-not to the same extent but In
q more moderate way. Devotion 10 church and a
liberal expenditure I'm charities attracts socctys at
tenton This is the first step gained. Careful
study OF the pr,prictcs Of lfe Observance Of cx
ternals and filing all of soclctys cxactions and the
result is accomplished.
THE ENTRANCE TO THE MAGIC CIRCLE.
"Both in England and America men gain an en-
trance to soclety's inner circle by cards a good
card PLAYER is always s%ght for and II lie
can lose his money amably he becomes
most acceptable Thrown day by day In inter
course with leading through cards, he
makes an impression. The next forward movement
lie his being invited to a gentlcmens dinner This
he returns and the guest meets the wife Of his
host, and She being bright woman. creates An
impression Then speedily both man and wife are
asked ont to dinners. and 50. by chnging To the
skirts of his society friend he and his family without
further question are received by society," as indors"
by him.
"AIl rich men. well as rich women, must have
their followers toadies They are n necessity
Iuman nature needs a certain amount Of aduation
and thus the followers and tOades also secure ad
mission Great beauty, talent and wit are excellent
paesports Yen and women Of great distinction have
snCcty's door, eagerly opened to them. People who
are born under the purple unconScOusy fall into the
line but tho-c whD have - struggle for place have
'0"s sunny ''''' WARD MALLIsTER."
In the course Of the discussion Mr. McAlliser said
he often felt amused at the arguments that such
thing as society did not exist, and II was Of
apparent that all who took 30 radical ground were
those 10 whom in fact, society did not exist But
that there Was an association Of men and women Of
cOngcnal tastes. noble aims, lofty aspirations, aud
muual delight I'm diversion, incOntrovcrtiblc
rs that the night brings out the stars. Society was
so attractive that thousands OF people beyond It's pale
sought admission because Of the pleasures TO he
loved within the circle. Even those who did not be
-. nnt cNclII iNn