The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-16
The Season OF Fashion.

Since tho beginning Of the new year It has
been made manifest that this winter Is to
be the gayest season In the whole history
Of New York fashion. Balls. receptions. and
dinners are taking place In SO great num-
bers that the streets and avenues where
wealth dwells, are daily and nightly crowded
with the carriages OF those who make a
business OF social pleasure. Never before
we're the entertainments 80 many and on o
scale OF Taste and grandeur 80 impressive.
A distinct society Of fashion has grown
up In New York. corresponding to that Of
the great capitals OF Europe: and OF all the
cities Of the Union 1t exists in New York
alone as a separate and deflnabe circle,
chiefly and solely occupied with the cult
walton and enjoyment Of the art Of social
entertainment. Social functions which now
pass by as ordinary features OF the winter
season. would command attention In other
towns as extraordinary events memorable
In their history. Fifteen or twenty years
ago any one OF score OF those which are
now occurring In such rapid succession
would have astonished the whole circle OF
fashion, 30 great has been the advance In
artistic and luxurious entertainment within
that short period.
functions were few In New York. The
service Of the richest establishments was
limited. The appointments Of the dwellings
of the wealthy were poor and bare as COM
pared with those Of to-day. The cooks we're
almost wholly women. utterly incapable OF
the gastronomic achievements now expect
q. cd by critical diners. Social life was simple.
and the outlay on entertainments was lit
tie. Fashion dwelt In circumscribed area
% small that all the members of its soci-
ETY. were nelghbors constantly brought
together. and the formality Of social
Intercourse differed little from that
prevailing In villages. The most frequent
kind Of social diversion consisted in even
ing calls" and II lady Of the fashion Of
the period gave single "party" during the
winter. she discharged the full duty ex-
pected Of her in that direction. The GUS
tom Of appointing particular day for re-
ceiving visits has grown up in New
York within generation. and in con-
sequence the old practice Of making even
ing calls has fallen into dsuse. The
engagements OF lady OF society
are now so numerous that she must parcel
cut her time very carefully in order to fulfil
her obligations. She is very busy member
Of the community. and her occupations are
% many and constant that she is forced to
be systematic. She may never have mo-
ment which she can spare for a chance
visitor at another time than when she Ia
officially at home.
This social transformation has been q
necessary result Of the growth Of the town
in wealth and population. It simply brings
u nearer to the fashion Of the great
communities Of the Old World. It means
that New York has developed into a real
capital. the only community which as yet
deserves that title among the towns Of
America. Elsewhere society is provincial
as compared with New York. 1t is in a
primitive state only. and. therefore. the
fashion Of the Union looks hitherward for
its model and exemplar.
This distinction was never before so
marked rs this winter. So large also Is the
circle OF fashion In New York at the present
time. that OF necessity 1t divides more and
more into little colonies which are only
united In a few Of the grand functions OF
the season. Its demands. too. give en-
ployment to great force OF caterers and
servants. who enjoy the luxury Of its life |
even more. perhaps. than those who par
take Of the profusion. We observe that |
the newspapers which are most magma
tive in their descriptions OF the social
grandeur OF the town. are journals which |
seek most to attract the attention OF people |
VINO are outside Of tho limits Of fashion. It |
is gorgeous exhibition. In which those |
who look on can take more delight than tho |
performers themselves.
Hence season Of extraordinary fashion
AZ n ut ryif tlyn
general prosperity and happiness.