The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-07-08
METROPOLITAN LIFE.
How the Four Hundred Wind Up a
SeaSOn,

If you look in the same kind of kaleido-
scope l use you can see New York society
broken into a hundred different pieces.
\ on can see also, many beautiful colors,
and many odd and curious patterns.
Then, if you give the Kaleidoscope a
shake, you have an entirely new combi-
nation.
The changes in metropolitan society are
Kaleidoscope in a sense. They are sud-
den, and yet more or less uniform. The
eyer-changing round of social entertain
ment is marked by the four seasons. But
society people, that is, the mem bers of the
smart set, are continually on the go"
They are never still. And so, in the
merry month of May, when roses are
fifty cents a dozen instead of fifty cents
apiece; when the peach and the cherry
trees open their sweet-scented blossoms
to the blue skies; when the flashing
beauty of bird life is seen amid leaty
bowers; when all nature is decked in
holiday attire-at such a time the gay
butterflies of fashion take to themselves
wings and fly to lands over the seas. on
to beautiful cottages and homes in the
country, But the incessant round of
pleasure goes On-parties, dances, lunch
cons, private theatricals and any number
of teas.
The spring season in New York closes
promptly the last week in May. The an
1t up. This event has at last come to
have some social significance. For one
thing, it marks the end of the social
season in town. No dance or dinner
after that counts for much. The parade
OF the club is set for the last Saturday in
May. About half an hour before noon
time the four-in-hands have assem- bled
before the Brunswick, and then a blast
from the horn announces the start. Dex-
terously the agile grooms release the
leaders heads, and the paving horses
step of at a lively gait down the avenue
to the entrance OF Central Park, where
the coaches wheel into line. The club
members wear uniforms of dark-green
coats and yellow-s tripod waistcoats Ad-
ditlonal color and interest are lent to the
occasion by the ladies', who are resplend-
ent IN Partisan gowns, spring bonnets
and flowing ribbons. There is lady on
the box beside the driver; TWO ladies and
two gentlemen sit on the second seat;
while the grooms occupy the rear seats.
The show is as good as a circus, as the
presence of large and curious crowd
might be taken to indicate. The specta-
tors on foot along the route look over
carefully and critically every detail of
horses, harness, coaches and load, and
express their opinions. Frank and often
cynical are many of the comments
thereon.
Inc route through the park is along the
West Drive ana around the north end by
McGowan's Pass, thence down the East
Drive to Seventy street, and
through that street to Riverside Drive,
which commands a fine view of the Hud-
son. Finally all the coaches draw up at
ClaremOnt, opposite General Grants
tomb, and the party takes luncheon on
the piazza of the hotel. About q O'Clock
the members Of the Coaching Club and
guests return to city pavements thor
oughly satisfied with their annual par
ade, with their entertainment and with
themselves.
The rush to Europe is next.in order.
The majority of the Four Hundred now
go abroad in May or June, and it is at
the departure of an ocean greyhound that
you will see one of the most interesting
phases OF New York life in summer.
This season our society people will go
to Chicago and the " orld's Fair instead
of taking a trip across the water. The
Astors and the Nanderbilts have rented
elegantly furnished mansions, where
they will entertain their friends in their
usual lavish style and manner. After
they show the wild and woolly Western
ers how the thing should be done the
'smart set" will retire to Newport cot
tages.-L. J. Vance, in Frank Leslie's
Popular Monthly.