The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-15

trast than her white hair with the
clear olive tint of her complexion
and the brilllaney of her lustrous
black eyes it would be hard to imagine
She is tall, very dignifed and stately in her
manner and carriage. Somewhat inclined
to embonpoint, she carried herself with the
air of a grand duchess, and on the street. at
the theater, or IN ball-ioom. no one bears
away the honorS from the handsome Mrs.
John f. Swift. Her manner of speaking is
somewhat abrupt The reason for this is
that Mrs. Swift is perfectly straightforward
herself and cannot endure the slightest de-
Walton or dupleity in others. She has the
ability to bring order out of chaos. AS a
housekeeper she is the pink of neatness. and
as hostess is not to be surpassed either in
the perfection OF her service, the delightful
selection of her guests or the charms
OF her menu. Her little dinners
were simply perfection. At the opening
of this Administration. Mr.. Swift received
the appointment to Japan. Among the
friends of the family the sincerest regret
was felt that so popular a lady should he
taken from San Francisco society. where
she was an ornament, thus deprring her
beautiful mansion OF Valencia street was
closed. The parlors which had so often
been thronged with the guests of Mrs.
Swift or had resounded to the music of Sc
lect club Of society vocalists under the aus
plces OF Mrs. Bally, Mrs. Swifps sister.
K
ened, and to the regret of every one the
Swift family and Mrs. Baily departed for
the Orient. Perhaps nowhere is Mrs. Swift
more missed than at the Women's FIX
change, where she had been a rul.
ing force for several years. She held
the responsible position of President
for more than one term. and under her adj
miniStration the society gained steadily in
impOl lance and efficiency. She was sue
ceeded by Mrs. ii. L. Dodge, who in turn
gave place to Mrs. Currier, and it must be
said that to these ladies belong great credit
in keeping the Women's Exchange ND to the
high standard of excellence to which IL had
attained during the administration of Mrs.
Swift.
This is not Mrs. Swift's first absence from
California. Several years before Mr.. Swift
received the appointment to Japan he was
sent to the Orient upon business OF diplom-
attic nature concerning our relations with
China and Japan. His wife and her niece.
Miss Emily Torbert, accompanied him. This
voyage was productive of n sweet little
romance, which ended in the winning of
Miss Torbert for his bride by rich Young
Englishman, Mr.. Robert Fearon, mer.
chant of Shanghai. 1t was a case of love at
first sight. Meeting her on land, the ardent
lover followed the fascinating maiden over
the seas as her accepted suitor, and soon
after their arrival in San Francisco the
young people were married in grand stvle at
the residence of the brides father on Van
Ness avenue. Mrs. Swift has made several
trips to Europe one of them extending as
lar as the Holy Land On her return from
This tour she brought with her some water
from the Jordan. with which Sybil Swift
Sanderson was baptized in Sacramento
Mrs. Swift holding the position of god.
mother to the child. Reports that have
reached us concerning the residence of the
American Minister to Japan prove con-
clusively that Mrs. Swift is as much ad-
mired there as she was here.
AT the time OF the inauguration of Presi-
dent Harrison the country was agitated as
to whether or not there should be dancing
at the inaugural ball the question having
been raised by Methodist ministers. Some
enterprising reporter interviewed a number
OF San francisco society ladies on the sub
Ject. Among them was Mrs. Swift, and her
remarks were full of the soundest good
sense and wisdom. What she said was this :
Not nave dancing at the inaugural ball I?
Perfect nonsensel For my part, l think
that dancing is all right; there is no harm in
II and 1t IS source of great pleasure I'm
very fond of it myself, aud would rather
dance than eat, any time, although L seldom
| have enjoyed dancing, and l never
hear band play without wanting to
dance. As social factor, as
means OF entertainment, dancing is I'M
equaled The hostess then has but very
little to do by way of entertainment except
OF course, of providing partners for her
guests and to see that they are all enjoying
themselves. l would have everybody dance,
old people as well as young. l would keep
them lively and help them to enjoy life. I'd
have them dance all the round dances and
when they get too old to do that with ease
they could fall back upon the stately miuuet.
| think it is mistake to let the young
people have it all their own way in society.
Tue tendency is 10 make the rest of US take
places as Wall-decorations, and when that is
StrinGed instruments are the best for dance
music"