The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-23
SOCIAL MATHEMATICS.
Finding tho Unknown Quantity by the
Known.

Finding the Unknown Quantity by the
Known.
BLUE RIDGE SPRINGS, Va. August 2l.-ISpe-
cial. Ito close observer there is great deal
OF pleasant study of character at place like
a summer resort. where so many dlnereht
natures are assembled together: 20 use a
mathematical term. apd 10 speak little
fguratively, it is the known quantity given,
to find the unknown-for our surface charae-
teristics are plainly visible and with on " such
a known quantity as basis can we evolve the
hidden principles of the unknown-or, IN
other words. the latent odds and ends,
cranks, whims and hobbies of our natures.
1t is interesting to be the observer IN such a
case. and to one who is gifted with the power
of observation il furnishes a never wearisome
pleasure We never appreciate thing nall so
much as when we see it slipping from our
grasp. and then.fa Edward Young has aptly
expressed it. the blessing brightens as II
takes its flight. To those of rs who have
passed the border Of youth into matronhood
or spinsterhood, as the case might be, the
full appreciation of youth comes TO us, and
we spend our days signing for what has been
and never again will be ours, What IL more
beautiful sight than a lovely maiden Just on
the threshold of wOmanhOOd! Adorned alone
by Natures artistic brush and Hogarth
waving lines, which make woman s.pbyslque
q thing Of beauty and a joy until youth Is
stolen away by Time. and then character
alone makes the woman beautiful
Among any $50 people 1t would be dithcuit
task to find more beauty and talent than can
be found in this number here AS / SIT ana
write, the lawn is dotted about IN groups OF
twos and threes. and in each group some far
young girl is holding sway over the masculine
heart by that beauty which has given her the
power TO rule ever since the world began.
Among so many it would be hard
to decide in favor of the one 10 whom
the palm for perfection should be awarded; a
critics eye would fall upon the four charm
ing debutantes. Misses Sallie Alfriend, Ma
mic Saunders. Oracle Thompson and Wort
ley Embrey-all of whom are plentlfully en-
lowed by nature with grace and beauty 70
crown glorious womanhoOd standing Just
on the verge between girl and womanhood,
they make lovely picture, and they stand
unrivalled in grace and attraction.
On Thursday morning there was beauti-
full full-dress morning german danced mere.
There were twenty couples and SIX or eight
stays and the dancing was kept up until
100 O'Clock, when refreshments we're dalntuy
served on the galleries of the hotel, and half
hour spent in partaking Of the claret punch,
waters pears, peaches, grapes and plums,
which were avishly dispensed. made a pleas
ant closing 10 a very pleasant morning.
A stop party" is TO be given here on Mon
dny morning, and on Monday night very
cute little play, The Box of Monkeys" Will
be given in the ballroom for the benefit OF
the church 1t is light, airy and catchy
little drama, and the cast Is very good
Misses Dunn, Johnson and Cuculiu. Al nave
considerable dramatic talent. and IN this play
they will be we'll supported by Messrs. Coffin.
Tansill and Lazelle.
TUESDAY night Major George II. Dunn, Of
Norfolk. will give handsome favor ger
man" to his lovely daughter; Miss Sallie Dunn,
and her attractive friend, Miss Grace Ferret,
of New Orleans The souvenirs will consist
of solid silver and gCld, and the entertainment
will be the most brilliant one OF the season.
Wednesday night there will be stereo-
opticon entertainment given here by our
host himself. 1t will embrace all local views
of interest. and some of the exhibits Will oe
very fine.
On Friday night large german was
danced here and prominent among the most
graceful dancers on the floor were Misses
Lucy Stone of Petersburg and Matte Arnold
of Virginia. Both OF these young girls are
here under the chaperonage of Mrs. John
Armistead. of Petersburg. and they make
very attractive addition to the beyy OF beauti,
full girls who have been under her care all
summer. Miss Stone is a great fayOrte with
all, old and young and her arrival. together
with her lovely friend. Miss Arnold, was
greeted with warm and hearty welcome.
Colonel and Mrs. j. G. Womble. of Virginia,
are still with us. and Mrs. WOmble,s elegant
Paris gowns stand alone for their Worth and
beauty. She is considered the finest whist
player at the springs and is the moving spirit
of all the card parties which are given. and
which add so much to the pleasure OF the
participants.
Messrs. j. n. Sayre and his friend. Charles
=. Gunter. of Montgomery. Ala, have arrived
for a part of the season: also Messrs. Arthur
II Selden of New York and George f. Moss
&c No~folL and those fOur VOunO men add
greatly to the pleasure of our young girls
and are a very popular addition TO the set.
Miss Maggie Berry Of Texas and
Miss A. L. Hobson of Richmond are
two lovely, young girls who have
lust arrived, and are under the
chaperonage of Mrs. Governor Mckinney.
Still they come, and although 1t Is the latter
part of August the season does not seem to
wane at all, though probably the reason for
this ZENITH of season lies in the fact OF the
very cool June and July weather. which kept
so many IN their city homes longer than they
would otherwise have remained had IT been
warm enough 10 force them 10 q watering
place or summer resort.
Arrivals William A. wilkins and Miss
Nina wilkins. Waynesboro. Ga. C. A. Scud-
der. Athens, Ga: George +. Moss, Norfolk.
Va: Arthur f. Seldom, New York Miss Lucy
Stone. Petersburg; Miss Matte Arnold,
Waverly. Va: b. Nj. Allison. birmingham.
Ala: S. NJ. Miller. Philadelphia, Pa; X. n;
Cralle. Washington, ID. c.: T. l.. Allen and
Richmond. Va: J. n. Sayre, Montgomery,
Ala: j. A. Bentley. st. Louis: DR.. Q. NJ.
knight. Nottoway, Va; Miss Maggie Berry,
Texas; Chris. Suhiing, Lynchburg X. Haden
Penn. Buchanan. Va: Charles =. Gunter,
Montgomery. X. ID. Martin. Virginia: Mrs.
buchanan and Miss Spencer. Russsllville,
Ala.