The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-01-25
GOSSIP FOR THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.

DEAR LOUISE: The thermometer and ba-
rometer, led by the weather, have been through
course of gymnastics this past week, and as
the furnace is a steady moving affair it has
been difficult matter to keep pleasant tenn
perature in the house. Toward noon on some
days it has become so warm that fire was un-
comfortable, and in two hours thereafter we
were suffering from the searching, damp cold.
Under such conditions the problem of how to
dress becomes serious question-all the more
so now that there is much illness in the city.
The ounce of prevention in the way of too
much ''wrap up" is undoubtedly the wiser
thing, so as to guard against the sudden
changes In the weather's mood.
Does it not seem strange that typhoid fever
and diphtheria should prevail in houses supposed
to have been constructed with the most careful
regard to hygienic principles? [ saw theory
as to the cause of this that struck me as contain
ing the germs of truth. 1t was to the effect
that the scullery sink is responsible for great
deal of the illness in the fine houses of CITY,
Among the wealthy and well-to-do, as q rule,
the kitchen is left entirely to the supervision of
the servants. The scullery sink becomes q
pestilential spot, from want of proper care and
cleanliness. The odors that arise therefrom
are not perceived by the servants, for as the
sense of smell can be cultivated so also it can
be dulled, and thus servants become accustomed
to odors that would strike the attention of the
mistress instantly, did she occasionally pay
visit of inspection to the region 'below stairs. I"
Our grandmothers, who were notable house
wives, looked carefully after all home matters
and in their time typhoid fever was looked
upon with the same horror as cholera. Their
constant supervision of the household un-
doubtedly protected the health and lives of the
family.
The gayeties of the season have generally
taken the form of afternoon teas, and, my dear
Louise, there are teas-and teas. Some are
handsome affairs, befitting a large company
specially invited for a particular afternoon,
and others-such attempts l do not belong to
the blue ribbon army, as you know, but in COM
pany with other sufferers have vainly tried to
get glass of cold water at these afternoon
crushes This liquid is undoubtedly the most
fitted for quenchng thirst, and, as for the
punches served, can only say they are delu-
sions as well as snares
There was notable gathering in st. Johns
on Tuesday, on the occasion of the obsequies of
Historian Bancroft. The casket was encircled
and covered with flowers, which seemed
meet for one who had so loved them. You
remember Mr.. Bancroft's rose garden at New
port? At the foot of the coffin was lovely
wreath of "iVy greenn entwined with white and
pink roses. A wreath of lilies of the valley set
in the dark-green leaves of the camellia was the
Presidents Offering, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Carroll, the latter granddaughter of the dead
historian, sent palm branches, with roses and
orchids. Mrs. Charles Carroll was formerly
Miss Susanne Bancroft, and her marriage to Mr..
Carroll was a society surprise when it took
place three years ago very quietly and privately
in st. Matthew's Church.
The monotony of the tea form of entertain