The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-15
GOSSIP OF THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.

MY DEAR LOUISE: At Belcourt, next Friday,
Mrs. John Sherwood, OF New York and Paris,
will descant on "The Possibilities of an Ameri-
can Salon." am anxious to hear what woman
so gifted and experienced as Mrs. Sherwood is
has to say on this interesting subject. 1t seems
to me that the outlook for the establishment of
a salon is not promising just now, as many Of
the mammas of the smart set missed the chances
Of early education, and are in the swim with
their respective broods simply by the power Of
dollars galore. But the young generation is
educated "to degree" and with the inherent
taste and tact of bright young womanhood
there is no reason why there should not be an
American salon in the near future. If you de-
sire to study refinement and grace a French
Salon is the place where you will find it,
as you know by your own observation.
In Paris wealth is not necessary to have an
agreeable salon; but the hostess must be attrac-
tive and graceful. / really do not think
there is much genuine hospitality is France, as
hospitality goes here. The French are apt to con-
slider everything as thrown away for which they
do not receive a return. An old lady, who
made her home in Paris for many years, told
me once that there the different degrees of
hospitality vary from dinner to few wax
candles. There were women, she said, who had
nothing to give except their agreeable society,
and these were said to give to love, (elleS DON
nent d din,er;) others give wit and mind, (eles
donnent de pesprit) An American salon,
modelled on the French ought to be superior,
inasmuch as the greater freedom of our social
intercourse and the genius of our institutions
foster the independent individuality of Ameri-
can women. 1he Princess Mathilde has salon
wherein literary men, artists, musicians and
talent of every kind may be met and this not
withstanding the fact that the Princess is in
"the sere and yellow leaf' of latest autumn.
Politics, even here, are important factors
socially, and change of administration makes
big upheaval bringing to the surface women
who can only hope for Washington prominence
through the official position of their husbands.
| Lately we have had an instance of q husbands
| resignation of office through the disappoint-
! ment of his really ch irming wife at Mrs. Har-
rison's failure to give her the social official rec
tainly entitled her to. A cup of tea split on
Mrs. Mashams silk dress is said to have caused
! the downfall of the Marlboroughs at the Court
of Queen Anne, and history repeats itself!
Just to think of the color line bringing disin-
| tegration to Wimodaughsis and agitating the
worthy ladies of aristocratic descent in the
| Louise Home in the very same week. l am
told that lady of the latter place felt the need
of spiritual ministrations, and when the matron
| requested her to name the clergymen she
| wished to have pray with her the old lady men
toned colored pastor. No remonstrances or
reason could change her intention of having the
spiritual consultations of the colored brother,
and her wish had to be complied with Inn
agine, if you can, the indignation of the in
mates of the Home, most of whom are South
erners with ante-bellum ideas
Mrs. Robert Lincoln has returned to England.
On the occasion of the Queens next drawing
room our Minister'S wife will emerge from her
mourning retirement to present some of her
country women to majesty. From my friend,
Mary c., who resided in England two years, l
have learned the mod,tS OperGndi of securing
this much coveted honor, and, after all, it Is
very easily obtained. From the tales of re-
turned travellers who shave been there" one
would think it more difficult than securing a
patent of nobility. Now, Mary G. says land
you know her husbands official position in
England) that all Americans are eligible to the
honor provided they are morally respectable.
They send their names to the American Legation.
By the American Minister or the Charge dAffairs,
they are sent to the Lord Chamberlain, who
places them on the list of those to be presented
at the next drawing-room. The ordeal comes
when the Court officers pass judgment in the
the matter of dress, which must conform
strictly to fixed rule. Low-necked dresses
are de rigeur, except (by recent concession) in
cases OF illness or age; even in these instances
the Lord Chamberlan's sanction must be OBJ
tanned previous to the day. The length of the
train is prescribed by regulation and there
must be no deviation. The men have greatly
the advantage of the women, for an American
gentlemen is expected to wear the conventional
evening suit; moreover the Queen holds eight
levees during the season when men only are
received Two drawing-rooms are the ladies'
only chances
Sarah Bernhardt is coming next week, and
she is responsible not only for reign of Cleo
patra gowns, girdles, corset waists, etc., but
even for Cleopatra pocket handkerchief, which
is ten-inch square of linen cambric, small
enough to be kept rolled up in the palm of the
hand. There is also a shade of yellow called
Cleopatra yellow.
Chenille is going to be used for bonnets. This
is as great novelty as chamois was when first
introduced.
The concert at the British Legation last week
was no end of a success, socially, artistcally,
and, more than all, financially. | wish you had
been with me, for it would surely have pleased
your musical ear. Ever yours, ALICE.