The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-10
DOWN WITH SUPERSTITION.
Ths Approaching Dinner Of The New York
Thirteen Club.
UEIOUE PROGRAMME FOR THE OCCASION.
Bfaznp Collection Crsze-Astor Jeweis-Euro-
peen Observation-Disclosures Fancies.
Latest metropolitan Gossip.
NV YORK BUREAU,
RICHMOND TINES.
~ - A.. q 1901

NV YORK BUREAU,
RICHMOND TINES.
NV YORK. May 9, 1891
Psr,crs AZ New York is for its large and
unique dinners on the 18th Of this month the
Thirteen Club proposes TO entertain the far
sex at a dinner, the like OF which has never
been given. A glance at the decorations OF
Sherry's big dining-rooms, IN which the din
nor is TO be given, might drive super
stitious man crazy. This feature OF the
dinner is in the hands Of famous
decorator aud he has arranged 70
provide haunted houses, new moons, skulls.
oOfins black cloth, silhOuettes OF cats ana
other attractions of the type that supersu-
tious folks most abominate. At each lady
plate there will be a miniature glass CONN, ana
she who has courage enough 70 lEt the nj
will find a bottle OF perfume with a skull for
stopper There Will be IN all probability
thirteen tables, thirteen people at each table,
the dinner will be held on the 18TH OF the
month and will be given at 1913 o'clock. Inc
courses will be thirteen IN number thirteen
varieties of wine will be served and the num-
Der of toasts will be thirteen.
STAMP COLLECTIONS.
New York 10 the home of hobbies. Among
others Is the stamp-c collecting craze. Used
postage stamps of 14xioh the value for trans
mission is Lost through DETACHMENT or on ac-
count Of tho issoe beng called IN have been
sold for really eDa1nRea7s prices. New YORK col
lectors have paid fox penny or two-penny
Mauritius postage stamp of the issue OF 1874,
not less than IL 600 OF for either Bratteooro'
OF Milbury, Vermont local postage stamp as
much as $500 apiece OF for local express
stamp s75. At times patent AMI proprietary
medicine stamps and those used on perfume
Ties. cosmetics, playing cards, bank checks
and boxes of matches are gradually running
up 10 exOrbitant intrinsic prices Collectors
will soon be paying as much for these stamps
used under the Congressional law OF June ~,
1864. as for rare postage stamps,
THE Aston JEWELS.
The Jewels of the Aston family are very
wonderful, particularly the diamonds. Mrs.
John Jacob AstOr used TO wear a tiara that
few Of the crowned heads Of Europe could
match. Mrs. William Astor wears necklace
of six strings set in such manner that no
gold is visible. 1t has the appearance Of being
strung together She is constantly having u
altered and the smaller damon replaced
by large ones Among her possessions Is
beautiful REVERE of three rows Of graduated
diamonds.
The family also possess come very fine
emeralds, but it is only on very rare occasions
that the Jewels are exhibited, the family being
averse TO displays. At a brilliant ball last
winter at which Mrs Aston and all the wealth
Of New York were represented detective
who was present said: There is nearly five
million dollars worth of jewelry and precious
stones in this room. The gems glittered
and glistened in the gaslight like rain-drops
III the sun"
EUROPEAN EXCURSIONS.
The itineraries of the big European excur-
sions that start out from New York every year
occasion q great expenditure Of time and
money. EXcurslOnists this year Will have
about forty different programmes submitted
TO them. The managers OF these personally
conducted" excursions have q staff Of about
thirty five conductors or escorts, who are al
ways at their service and who are paid sala-
ries ranging from 81 600 10 $4,000 year.
They also employ in different parts OF the
world nearly 500 men. In London alone $50
men are in their service. The tourists TO
Europe are seen safely aboard the steamship
at this port, all the arrangements for their
state-rooms, seats at tables. etc, having been
made. In Liverpool they are met by the con-
ductors who remain with them until they re-
embark for America. The excursions are ar
ranged to suit all classes. The first
class tourists pay from $500 to $3.50,
according TO the length OF time
they remain away. This is one-fourth
less than it would cost the same tourist 10
travel in the ordinary way. The tourist saves
great deal OF time, as through the conductor
he Is enabled to reach promptly places of
especial interest. The cheaper tours start at
times most convenient for teachers, students,
business men, and others whose time and
purses are Limited. These neips cost from $3.50
10 S400, and the details Of sais trip receive the
same careful attention a. do those OF
the more expense ye trip. The excursions
that leave in the spring and fall are
the most expensive. These trips include
visit b Palestine One of the tours occupies
four months, and includes a large portion of
Europe, Greece, Asia Minor, thlrty-days
camping tour through Palestine and q three
-, e., hot
Ist is 81. $50, or less than So a day. The same
trip would cost the ordinary tourist at least
OIL 800. He would travel as comfortably, but
he would not enjoy the same amount OF sight
seeing. Fifteen hundred tourists left New
York last year on some one of these tours.
and this year 5000 are already registered and
the season only begins next month.
OCEAN STEAMER TIPPING.
Tipping" on an ocean steamer is heaviest
upon large family albeit some shrink the bur-
den and thereby save money. An individual
has only boots" the cabin steward and the
stateroom man TO tip" whereas large
family must needs financially recognize these
three in addition TO the stewardess, the deck
steward, chair man and possibly head stew
ard, who has it in his power TO confer many
O gastrononlc favor.
wELL-PREsERyED OLD MEN.
One of the pecularities of New York is the
number of well-grOOmed old men. In the
West. and in many other Eastern cities the
old men seem TO get careless about dress,
about their boards, about the length of their
hair. But in New York you sea hundreds of
old men who keep themselves in perfect
bodily condition. At the intersection of
Broadway and Fifth avenue this is particu-
larry noticeable So it happens that the
New York man never grows old. but re-
mains young in complexion and dress even
though the hair of his head and his we'll
trimmed beard be White
AFTER DINNER ORAToRY.
After-dinner speech, making is becoming a
mania. In this city there is seldom a night
when one or more formal combinations of
dining and oratory-notable enough TO be re-
ported-do not come of. Often half dozen
take place simultaneously. In the strain Of
competition the richer clubs have been driven
TO use money TO attract talent. One New
York club pays the fares of orators 10 and
from New York pays their hotel bills and en-
close a check for their services. A wealthy
New England Club pays all the expenses of
those who speak before it, and sends hand
some memento of silver or jewelry.
YORK HOTELS.
The ownership of some leading hotels of
New York is interesting. The Astors own the
Astor, Cambridge and two new ones now