The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-29
SIMPLICITY NOW THE STYLE.
Costly aud Complicated Things Are rail-
lug into DisvepUto

Costly and Complicated Things Arc rail
lug into Disreputo
Reports from the fashionable world say
that the latest demand in society is for sim
plicity i'm entertainments. Elaborate din
ncrs are now considered inclegant; swell
receptiOns are snObbish; pretenti0us cOlla-
lions are plebeian. What les merely costly
and complicated is falling into dlsrepute
as low and coarse. A quiet refinement ID
taking the place of garish glitter and dis
play, which is The easy capital of the par
yenu. and marks 400 distinction between
wealth and Vulgauty. small, quiet DIM
ners, social dances, followed hy attractive,
vet inexpensive. suppers, are now IN vogue.
Evidence of genuine hospitality and friend
illness are euporsOding The ostcntatlon and
parade so popular of late.
Good sense, as we'll as good taste, will in
dOrse this change. People are weary of
pompOus receptions that have little mean
ing bevond the array Of silks and laccs.
easily seen 80 better ADVANTAGE ON the mute
forms in the shsp windows. They are
vear, Of the tedious dinners, which astOnish
The eve and crafty the palate, but are
utterly devoid OF anything that hints OF
lively conversation, brilliant wit, keen
bumor and good fellowship generally. 10 "a
easv enough with a well-iilled purse, which
commands florist ana caterer, TO receive ac-
auaiutances en- masse, and 10 follow pre-
scribed forms. but 20 entertain select lev
i'm a truly social way IS the gift only OF one
to the manner born. 1t implies hostess oi
infinite tact and resource.
his ia s demand now which society eN-
acts. 1t insists OF making distinction
betweed the parade o. The pleaeian and the
refined elegance Of the patrician. Even
admitting that in America there is, strictly
speaking, no such thing Is caste, society is
inst now affirming tina, there are divided
GRADES. 'soul nobiities," a. Schiller ex-
presses it, and that these shall not bee con
founded with the vulgar.
The simplicity required is no return TO q
Puritanic severity and absence of charm.
II il rather "A Greek simplicity which calls
for every element OF grace and beauty,
making them all subserNient 20 a higher
nurDose. Only the true spirit Of hospitality
can meet these requirements. inat alone
tnowe instinCtNely how to refrain
Srom what Is loud and osteutatious
tro,,s the secret Of all those devices which
Iink neart 10 heart IN genuine tri ndsnlp,
ms shirt of hospitality hiss nothing to DO
lien noyerty OF excess. 10 DO skillfIl. crea-
i've Inventive, aud from ibe humblest or
the higb,s IL sources Is capable ui rtYonding
IN N. own demands. II untold wealth Is
On n. disposal. the raw matorisl rs never
IL is always transmitted into
so,nethiug wOrthier, which appeals 10 lac
heart rather dian % the senses.
Society has proposed 10 Itself hieh ideal.
Whcther il viii De able o. mee. zoe require.
nents h a question. OF all good thing. ~
this world undoubtedly the best Is good COM
many. and society 10 beginning 10 APP
upreciste the fact, but, unfortunately for
societx the best things Oilile belong only I
10 those who have the ability 70 ENJOY them.
hat IL now called society can be enter. !
,sined bv other methods than expensive !
sisolay. Still the present fashionable eff |
fort afier simplicity in entertainment is /
zen In the right direction, and, on the |
whole, will probably lead 10 good results
Chicago Herald.