The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-02-22
GOSSIP OF THE GIRLS.
Alice Confides to Dear Louise the
Goings On in Washington.


to the season there 1t is a wonder an attempt
at such a street pageant is not made here, for
Washington is fast becoming cosmopolitan
city. Louis has just returned from the South
and is enthusiastic over the sights in New
Orleans during the carnival. For the first time
In my life have learned something definite Of
the history Of the carnival organizations in New
Orleans. The celebration OF the carnival there
differs from that of Rome inasmuch as in the
latter city each individual masker disports
himself as his will suggests, while in New
Orleans the participants turn out as members
Of regular organizations. There are various as
sociations that maintain extensive establish
ments which provide the material for these
magnificent displays. They are in every sense
OF the word secret organizations. Their store
houses and factories are open only to the ini-
tiated. Who the initiated are is an impenetrable
mystery. The first appearance OF an organised
Mardi Gras procession on the streets Of New
Orleans was In 1857, when the s'Mystic Krewe
of Comus" dazzled and delighted the gay popu-
lation of New Orleans in torchlight pro-
ccession, representing upon vans scenes from
Miltons paradise Lost" 1t was a magnifi-
cent scenic street pageant, and went right to
the spot in the hearts of the denizens Of the
Crescent City. Since that time other organiza-
tions have sprung up, notably that of "Rex,"
whose display is always a daytime one, while
the Mystic Krewe only appear at night. Louis
tells me of a remarkable sight on Canal street.
1t was that of plainly dressed woman walking
silently along holding in her uplifted hands
lottery tickets:arranged like paper fan So
the lottery business yet kicks, and we thought
it dead as doornail.
Lent was quietly ushered in here, and is now
over two weeks old and seems much older.
The lull that followed Ash Wednesday will
probably remain unbroken until mi-careme.
There is great deal of calling still going on;
card parties, luncheons and DINNERS are in
dulged in as proper Lenten diversions, and
some fashionable women keep up their formal
afternoon receptions. At st. Matthew's
services are being conducted by missionary
priests, and the attendance is very large, in
cluding many of the most fashionable people of
the town. After ALL how little is required of
the faithful during the Lenten time in these
days in comparison with the exactions of old
There was a time in England when meat was
not allowed during the entire period of Lent.
In the middle ages eggs were forbidden, and
the dispensation to eat them could only be OBJ
tanned with great difficulty. In the time of
Louis XIV it was the custom to raise in the cab
met of the King on Easter Monday enormous
pyramids of painted or gilded eggs, which were
presented by His Majesty to the courtiers.
After the long abstinence from eggs no doubt
the gift was an acceptable one.
The love of art is certainly developing among
us, and judging from the rapidly increasing
classes, including as members ladies whose
youthful days are behind them, there must have
been much dormant talent in the land. Mr..
Paul PutZki, favorite artist of this city, issued
cards of invitation to an exhibition of the work
of himself and pupils at his studio on New
York avenue. The exhibit commenced on Mon
day and ended in the afternoon of Wednesday.
In the nature of things, Mrs. Harrison is his
star pupil and truly her pieces of china painting
are lovely. Mrs. Scranton, of Pennsylvania,
exhibited set of salad plates that show great
taste and skill; Mrs. Estes G. Rathbone Orna-
mented a fruit dish with the leaves and fruit of
tarr in
Mrs. w. H. Moses showed her talent in beauti-
fully painted salad plates, and Miss Swan, Mrs.
Reside, Mrs. Hillhouse, and Miss Moore con-
tributed gems to the exhibit. Mr. Moser, the
water-color artist, is also having an exhibition
at Fishers art store. The numbers which
gather before picture-shop window prove
that there is an innate taste for the beautiful in
art, which needs only to be cultivated to ac-
quire force.
The Lenten piano recitals have begun. The
first shot of the season has been fired by Miss
Amy Hare who on Thursday inaugurated at
Mrs. Senator McPherson's series of classic
pianoforte recitals. l thought the entertain
ment exactly fitted to the season-it was so
solemn. No doubt the music appealed to the
artistic temperament of those among the audi
ence possessing cultivated musical talent. The
next recital will take place at Mrs. Walter
Woods; next at Mrs. Wanamaker's; next at
Mrs. Morton's; then at the British Legation,
and frally at BelcourS, DIR. Hammonds resi-
dence.
A subject of anxious comment is the dearth
of engagements. There are so few Easter we'd
dings in sight And there never was such a
scarcity of young men in society as during this
winter. It's given as cause for not having
the annual Army and Navy Assembly that it
was impossible to muster enough dancing men
to make the affair success. 1t is too bad for
the buds, many of whom were launched with
flying banners music and flowers, and the most
fetching and symbolical of gowns. There was
never larger number of young ladies in So
cety, and many of them are rich--and yet the
men fail to materialize at parties given ex-
pressly for buds There are men in society here
who like the poor, we have always with us,
but they are not looked upon as desirable
catches Well hope for better things in the
coming Easter season, which promises to be
very gay. Ever yours, ALICE.
High School Pedestrians Entertained
The Washington High School Pedestrian
Club was handsomely entertained Friday even
ing at the residence of Mr.. G. r. Wilson, on
Capitol Hill. The principal feature of the
evening was progressive potpourri, the high
prizes being won by Miss Tucker and Mr..
Swan, the BOBBY by Miss Clements and Mr..
Dalrymple At IL O'clock refreshments were
served. Among those present were Misses