The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-01-11
GOSSIP FOR THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise The
Goings On in Washington.

My DEAR LOUISE: Just fancy the repre-
sentative of the Queen of Great Britain and
Ireland and Empress of India being called to
order for getting out of his place on New
Years Day Sir Julian Pauncefote has met
the luck of all innovators, and he has been ad-
monished that it is not yet time for Germany
and Austria to walk behind England on state
occasions. 1t is a time.honored custom In the
Diplomatic Corps that on state occasions its
members shall take rank according to length
of service. Evidently the British Minister
thinks the British lion ought to lead the pro-
cession, for he has several times made
efforts to Ego ahead" to the great
annoyance of his fellow diplomats. On
New Years Day Sir Julian euchred the
German Minister, Count Arco, and the
Austrian Envoy, Chevalier Tavera, out of their
legitimate places at the Presidents reception.
and they we've awfully mad. The Dean of the
Corps sent Sir Julian note of protest from the
offended diplomats, and the British Minister
has promised "he'll never do so no more" And
he has long foot before him, for there is no
court reception till next New Years Day, and
he will have plenty of time to forget his apology
There was considerable commotion among the
foreign representatives at the presence of an
unexpected guest at Secretary Blaine's diplo-
matte breakfast. The young secretary who
brought the lady took ''time by the forelock"
in inviting her to an exclusively diplomatic
''pow-wow," for his marriage to the pretty girl
was an event of the past week, and she now
has the right of entree. These two incidents
served to give to the usual staid and formal
function tone of excitement.
There have been several debutante teas this
week, and it is certainly the most satisfactory
way OF launching young girl, If she is to be
formally launched at all. 1t is much less ex-
pensive than ball or elaborate dinner, and has
the advantage in speedily launching the bud,
Tor all friends can be invited at once. AS in
sending out cards for wedding no one should
be sighted, so at debutante tea the list of ac-
quaintances should be closely scanned, so that
nobody may be omitted-for it is even more
serious matter to leave out old friends than it
is TO forget new acquaintances. Next to her
marriage the formal debut is the most i'm
portant event in the young ladyhood life of q
girl, and it seems much better to stretch a
point than to raise up enemies by a slight on
such an occasion.
know some girls who have had successful
society careers and were never formally pre-
sented-never budded, SO to speak, but went
right in. Do you know | think there is con-
siderable wisdom in this? After all, debut
just sets up milestone for the debutante,
and, you know, that ISM always pleasant In
spite OF all adverse criticism Uncle Sans mail
is greatly used in distributing invitations. Is
1t considered good form in your city? Where
there is great rush of gayety in a short space
Of time people in demand and with short
memories frequently forget their engagements
This is something pardonable to certain ex-
tent in elderly people-nature will assert
itself-but in a young girl nothing gives
more annoyance and offense. l heard bud
just 'raked over the Goals" for neglect
Ing an engagement. Our debuta7,te shall
not incur the spiteful remarks of her enemies
through any such forgetfulness, for we make her
keep an engagement book or tablet SO she may
be exact in keeping her appointments. 1t is GER
tainly legitimate ambition in a girl to be a
belle, and there is no surer way to the pinnacle
than through polteness and agreeableness The
lastword contains volumes-and how few girls
understand it! Two or three breakfasts have
baen given this week, but could not find their
rdaSon d'etre or why they should be called
breakfasts instead of luncheons. OF course
fewer courses are served and no frozen desserts
are allowed. At one breakfast there were ices.
but they certainly were out of place. 1t is
just as difficult to get men to a midday
breakfast as it would be to have them at lunch
con, Tor they are, as rule, too busy at that
hour OF the day to spare the time If you are
going to get new teapot for your O'Clock
tea table be sure to select one with teakwood
handle. This is the day of the bracelet! The
arm is an exhibition on all possible occasions,
siding over O'Clock. tea table in dainty tea
gown made with angel sleeves is the oppor-
tunity for the girl with a handsome arm and
lovely bangle.
The ''blue-ribbon" dinner has not reached us.
1t should have come to Washington some years
to the late lamented Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes.
The blue ribbon bow is tied in tiny knot at
the corner of the menu card-so Fannie tells
me-and she was guest at one of these tenn
perance dinners while visiting in B. There
was not even Roman punch served, so strictly
ALICE.