Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-28

upon and receive reeogniticn In Warrington
society rather than artificial Distinction ana
the tinsel and faunt of mere display. II IL
certainly true that here kind hearts are more
than coronets and gentle deeds than Norman
blood
MERIT. NOT RANK, Is gEcoaSIzEp.
Washington society, unlike a certain ele-
ment in New York, which. let It be said, is not
representative q refer to that element which
turns up its trousers when il rains in Iondon).
does not run after titles. It Is certainly true
that duke or a lord does not get the tribute
of . second look from the intelligent and per
manent residents Of Washington While for
eign distinction in literature, in the arts, or
more strikingly in connection with some noble
work for the advancement and civilization Of
mankind will gather levee about him where
ever its representative pauses in that circle
there are no traditions OF the idiosyncracies of
rank or of the manners of my lord this, or
marquis that, or prince the other, who may
have been connected with official life, or have
visited the city in other DAYS, bat there are
pleasant things said of an untufted gentleman,
who held no high rank and was private secre-
tary of his uncle as late as 1880 This man has
since attained recognition as Lord Lytton. rice
roy of India. and still wider fame 80 Owen
Meredith. A fayorite with all who knew him.
he Is still spoken of by the older residents Of
the capital city, and his memory is fragrant
like the faint smell of the iasemine flower of
has verse. ..
wAsHrSGToS's PERMANENT SOCIETY
''Of course it is understood that apart from
the constantly changing official lite in WISH
nSton, there is permanent society there of
obi families. who are cultivated, unostentatious
and refined. They are people OF moderate
means. aud it IS generally recognized that to be
received into their homes ON terms OF FRIEND
ship is a compliment and q distinction. There
Is less display of the evidence OF wealth in
dwellings and in entertainments than in New
York or even in Detroit Where wealth exists it is
not Wanted and We have many homes here Of far
greater elegance, in the sense in which we make
use of the term, than any now in Washington.
The typical American home at Washington
has little no evidence of the presence or of
the expected presence OF the public. The
rooms are all living rooms and By far the most
Iavorlte eEtertainnl mt ana the most acceptable
of Inequalities is the small dinner party. not
TO exceed eighteen, while twelve is considered
better.
THE TYPICAL AMERICAN GENTLEMAN.
'The typical American gentleman. drawn
from life, is a familiar figure at our capital.
He may come OF long and distinguished line
age, but he does not vsunt it. He is demo-
erat in the broad sense. believes III his country
and her future. is proud of her progress and
feels responsibility as unit OF the sovereign
peopic Will pupiic uutN 10 10 ue sucu. ne 10
a man OF wide learning and information. and
his reflective mind makes constant use of its
treasures OF knowledge. They are not per-
united to mold or to rust. A man of the
world and a student of mankind his charity for
the foibles and sins of humanity is broad and
his judgments gentle. Never arrogant, cen
serious or intolerant in discussion, he wins an
opponent by respecting his opinion white diff
fering from him and sends him away in a spirit
OF reflection rather than OF controversy. To bor-
row his own apothegm he never mistakes
rudeness for courage or violence for strength
He clothes his ideas in garments OF apt express
slons, felicitous, beautiful and always Anglo
saxon. There Is nothing of the pedsnt about
him. His diction is pure, like his heart and ia
unmarried by profanity or slang. He is defer
entail to all women. An unconscious dignity
freezes ippertinenee and closes the mouth of
vulsarity, while his gentle manners and winning
couRenance give confidence to the embarrassed
and loosens the tongue of the modest or the
hmid- He cares nothing for mere rank in his
intercourse with manly men-with true Ameri-
can manhood-and you feel at once. as he
him
The rank is but the guines's stamp.
The mans the gold for a that.
ITO enter his home. to partake Of his hos
pitality in the place where he lives, is a privi-
lege and delight. This man by heaithfui exer-
else keeps his body sound as the depository of
his sound mind. His physique is athletic and
vigorous. scholar, a statesman, an American
gentleman. TINS figure is not an ideal one, and
personify the type. with which nv description
must but poorly impress your minds, when
name Thomas F. Bayard.
THE SOCIAL SEASON.
''What is called the social season at Washing
ton lasts from the opening of Congress in
December until Lent. Within this period are
held the weekly receptions at the cabinet
homes on stated days, and the similar recep-
tons Of Senators and Representatives and Of
justices of the Supreme Court. At these all
the people are welcome as they are at the
general receptions at the White House, where
in addition to these the distinctive recep-
tons of the diplomatic corps, the justices Of
the Supreme Court and the Congress of the
United States Interspersed with these enter
tainments are the state dinners given by the
President, by prominent officials and others,
and card receptions, dancing parties and the
ike With Lent comes peace and quieter din
ners and entertainments.
The official life changes substantially every
four years, and yet every administration with
its retainers settles down if for life ut the
beginning of every four years. But at the end
many disappear from the places that have
known them and which they have distinguished,
never to return again"