The record-union., 1891-03-29
SIMPLICITY NOW THE STYLE.
Costly and Complicated Things Are
Falling Into DiSrsDnte

OcSSaS tsuo SOnpllcaCSQ Things Are
Falling Into Disrepnte.
reports from the fashionable world saw
that the latest demand in society is for
simplicity in entertainments. Elaborate
dinners are now considered inelegant:
swell receptions are snobbish; pretenti-
GUS collations are plebian. What is
merely costly and complicated is falling
into disrepute as low and coarse. A quiet
refinement is taking the place of garish
glitter and display, which is the easy
capital of the paryenu, and marks no dis
tinction between wealth and vulgarity.
Small, quiet dinners, social dances, fol-
lowed by attractive, yet inexpensive, sup
pers, are now in vogue. Evidences of
genuine hospitality and friendliness are
superseding the oStentation and parade so
popular of late.
Good sense, as well as good taste. will
indorse this change. People are weary of
pompouS receptions that have little mean
ing beyond the array of silks and laces,
easily seen to better advantage on the
mute forms in the show windows. They
are weary of the tedious dinners, which
astonish the eye and crafty the palate,
but are utterly devoid of anything that
hints of lively conversation, brilliant wit,
Keen humor and good fellowship gener-
ally. 1t is easy enough with q well-filled
purse, which commands florist and ca
terer, to receive acquaintance en- masse,
and to follow prescribed forms, but to en-
terrain select few in a truly social way
is the gift only of one to the manor born.
1t implies a hostess of infinite tact and
resource. J'.,
1t is this demand now Which society ex-
acts. 1t insists on making Il distinction
between the parade of the plebian and the
refined elegance OF the patrician. Even
admitting that in Americathere is, strict
ly speaking, no such thing as caste, soci-
ETY. is just now affirming that there are
divided grades, 1'soul nobilities," as
Schiller expresses it, and that these shall
not be confounded with the vulgar.
The simplicity required is no return to
a Puritanic severity and absence of
charm. 1t is rather u Greek simplicity
which calls for every element Of grace
and beauty, making them all subserVient
to higher purpose. Only the true spirit
OF hospitality can meet these require
ments. That alone knows inStinctively
how to refrain from what is loud and os-
tentatious, knows the secret Of all those
devices which link heart to heart in genu-
inc friendship. This spirit of hospitality
has nothing to do with poverty or ex-
cess. 1t is skillfui, creative, inventive,
and from the humblest or the highest
sources is capable of responding to it's
own demands. If untold wealth is at its
disposal, the raw material is never con-
spicuous; it is always transmitted into
something worthier, which appeals to the
heart rather than to the senses.
Society has proposed to itself a high
ideal. Whether it will be able to meet the
requirements is a question. OF all good
things in this world undoubtedly the best
Is good company, and society is begin
ming to appreciate the.tact, but, unforun-
ately for society, the best things Of life
belong only to those who have the ability
to enjoy them. 1t will take generations
OF culture before what is now called So
ciety can be entertained by other methods
than expensive display. Still the present
fashionable effort after simplicity in en-
tertainments is step in the right direc-
ton, and, on the whole, will probably
lead to good results Chicago Herald.