The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04
FASHIONABLE PRESENTS
NOW THE CUSTOM or cHBTsTMAs
GIFTS HAS GROWN.
sor,e of the Peculiar Ones which the
Modern World Authorizes--sociai Events
During the week-Personals.

young men and maidens was accounted
an improperly which no high-minded
parent would permit or discreet young
persons dare. The revolution started with
n snuggled flower. continued 10 the bold
ness Of an anonymous book with marked
passages. going step by step from Don
bons and fruits 10 such substantials aS
game and venison, and from pictures III
hooks TO those on walls. until presto the
modern admirer has full liberty 70 TUT
nish the drawing room and fill the larder
AZ he so wills. Ma belle sits uhuer 'nc
glow OF the lamp that Tom sent, IAN
guishes in graceful pose upon DicA
divan and writes her pretty notes a' tns
escritOire that Harry gave. SiV ' ~
nishss her sunny tresses with the sHNcr
brush that one adOrer sent, wnlle suCn
toilet accessories as mirror. powder-pul
HOY shoe horn and nail file wrought III
sterling silver are some OF the tIlles
which she has accepted 10 express me
good will Of so many admirers anu nov,
when the question comes, "Chaflle' oiu
how. what are you going 10 senu neI
Christmas?" the answer comes, Oh'
dainty little trick--a pair Of )eWelleu
s-ar,er bucxles:" and. Carrie dear, what
viii YOU give him this year?" she repnes'
"The simplest most modest gift magma
hle-some embroidered suspenders Win
golden clasps. ..,,.o,-,, ~
some vain manner making an effort 70
repeat themselves with new order Oh
the Knights Of the Garter ana neeuCu
revival Of their old motto: HON soit
ami nal Of Deuse?" And is the falr sex
seeking 10 make literal the old hSure
Of sneech as 70 their holding the reins
by verify bracing their swans IN harness
nj their own manufacture? or does the
situation resolve itself into the mere
outcome Of the product OF an age that
knows naught Of delicate sentiment ana
cares less. so long as 1t tends TO any
thing that the world calls progressive
and art designates as reallsmE
The pity Of II is, not That the siVlus
and receiving of presents should now De
such an universal custom. That Is
shirt TO be cherished, but fostered in the
right way, always cultivating a rehned
continent so that the pure and simple
mission Of a present, 70 express esteem
thought. love, is never overshadoWed Dy
a meaningless show Of Costumes III
cift which creates no warmer apprecla-
lion than a feeting admiration ana
subtle sense of obligation. Sentiment IN
these client expressions Of our good VIII
ON earth and peace towards men, is
what perfume is in the flower, expression
I'm the face and suggestiveness In PIC
ture.
4 charming Illustration OF this type of
remembrance is what taken from It's nest
of mink cotton In a jewelers. box seems
but a rusty old "luck cent" Looking
,Ioeolv al the date it will be seen that
Il has been made i'm the year or the
donors birth, and pressing one OF these
figures by magic the rusty old liberty
head Is upIifted and within this quaint
locket is revealed a delicate miniature or
a fair e.. Who would not believe in
The talismanc powers TO ward OH eVll
and do battle with temptation with such
n uck-piece as that forever in the bottom
of their pockets like happy secret deep
. down in the heart
And another gift valuable for a delight
ful sentiment is an autograph calendar.
Three hundred and siXty-tiVe pages rep
resent the days Of year, and for each
dav there is written some verse 10 serve
as a motto, every anniversary in the life
of both the donors and recipient pelng
marked by an especially suitable selec-
'uon. The birthdays, the betrothals' the
weddings and the sad days made sWeetly
solemn by sorrows, each have their his
forv told and in a handwriting as famil-
tar and dear as the occasions It COM
lmenorates. When this is neatly bound
n makes treasure trove when Is
treasure for all time And yet again there
are those who would regard such gifts,
as the proverbial swine did the pearls
cast before them, but for such there are
ample substitutes in walking sticks ana
,,mbreIlas even goloshes IL desired, and
for the so-called "none Of your foolish
ness Girl" there are in silver (Which freely
rondones the offepse) tooth brushes,
curling irons and soap dishes.
The slightest innovation IS sufficient for
a theme so at the last as well as the
first Tuesday german of the season one
OF the TOPICS of the evening was the
supper being served before the dance
began. and the great comfort with which
this repast was enjoyed as every one
present was seated. while with great ease
and delightful lack Of confusion, II was
served by an efficient corps of walters.
Those present were: Mrs. Alfred T..
Harris, Mrs Charles E. Smith Mrs
Lucien Tatun. Mrs. r. s. Bosher' Mrs
Charles Talbot. Mrs. Allan Talbot, Mrs.
James Patterson, Mrs. a. b. Camm,
Mrs g. d. Langhorne, Mrs. Tom Boiling.
Mrs. Robert Powers, Mrs. Harry Frazier,
Mrs. Willie Talbot, Mrs. j. A. Welsh,
Mrs Dryden Tenant. Misses Ellen blair,
Annis Howard Mamie Alden Of Ashland,
Lizzie Bridges, Nellie Parker, Annie
Gray Marion Harris, Sallie and Berta
Wexford, Ellen Cooke, Cora Darlington,
Gertrude Camm, Bessie Fauntleroy. Meta
Potts, Columbia Hayes. Sallie Talbot.
Mary Mayo, Minnie Fleet Misses ROSS
and Barton Of Barton Heights, Annie
Henry of Norfolk. Nellie BoyiSin and
Irene Langhorne
The german was led by Mr.. Adophus
Blair. who is one OF the most graceful
and skilled leaders" I'm the city.
on Wednesday evening Mr.. Carter w.
Branch gave q delightful theatre party
10 witness Wilson Barrett's performance
OF "Claudian" at the Mozart Academy.
The honor was to Miss Irene Langhorne,
who was with Mr.. William Massie, while
the others were Mrs. Langhorne and Mr..
Branch. Miss Lizzie Bridges and MIR.
William Hannewinckei and Miss Leila
Myers and Mr.. Charles Boiling. After the
performance a delightful supper was en-
joyed.
The Friday German Club held an i'm
portant business meeting last week 10
take steps towards reorganizing for the
season.
The Thursday Club will be entertained
on Thursday evening. the Sth by Mrs.
Gray skipwith. while Mrs. Alfred T..
Harris will be the hostess OF the next
entertainment
The engagement OF another Of Rich
monds bellies is announced to take place
in March. The happy man. though a
former resident Of our city. now lives
I'm the North, so with great regret do
we relinquish our whole claim on one OF
cur pretuest and most charming girls.
Invitations are issued to the marriage
~