The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-12
COSMOPOLITAN WASHINGTON.
It Differs in Its Social Aspect From
Most Other Cities.

In the August number of the Century
Marion Crawford has an appreciatiye
sketch of the city of Washington, its
buildings and its social features. He can
not understand the attitude of those I'M
patriotic Americans who decry the CITY.
and although he has seen more of the
charms of life elsewhere than most 9th
erS. he cOnfeSseS to an enthusiastic adj
miration for the national capital Mr..
Crawford says
II is natural that in its social aspect
Washington should differ from most other
cities. 1t is strangely cosmopolitan. There
is in the ranks of society the greatest va
riety of race with the greatest variety Of
interest, or, at least, in the object of in
terest. There is, in things social the
greatest diversity together with a singu-
lar uniformity of principle. There is
notable simplicity existing side by side
with something very like real magnif-
cence OF display, and a remarkable alb
sence of that socially serVile opinion
which accepts display alone as an out
ward and visible sign of inward and so
cial grace. The ubiquitous diplomat
leayens the whole, ana lends it slightly
European SAVIOR. The curious English
traveller comes, sees, and takes away an
impression, but leaves none; the German
of solid requirements put on an air Of
levity, the better to observe, to note, and
mentally to digest; the F'renchman, gen.
orally new at wandering, Sparkles in con-
yersatiOn, whether he be understood or
not, and generates within himself as all
F'renchmen do. For the French mind
differentiates keenly, but integrates by
one rule only, which is the Partisan.
You may see almost every type at a big
afternoon tea in Washington, especially
at one of those given, according to
pretty custom. TO bring Quito pre-
sent to society," daughter of the house.
There she stands, the young girl whose
social eyes are to be opened, type of the
American maiden of to-day, unlike any
other in the world. For we are the only
one among the great nations of whom 1t
must be said that we are distinct result
rather than a distinct race, and this result
is a type Indefinitely varied by divers
race characteristics. The result" stands
by her mothers side near the door of the
first drawing room through which guests
pass-tall slender, probably clad in white,
probably having rather dark hair and
complexion to which the national irrita-
BILE heart, - as the doctors call it, gives
brilliancy rarely seen abroad. Almost
beyond a doubt, too, she has eyes which
would seem unusual in Europe, with
strong, fringing lashes, but rather too
boldly bright and restlessly, though limo
y
bile; the hands are rather quiet for
moment--Slender hands, very narrow at
the base, very closely swebbed between
the thumb and fore-hnger, very exQuis-
itely kept under her long gloves; hands
with which none but those OF French
women can compare for the wise pains
bestowed upon them. ... .s.s
, BY her side, upon a broad table, are
endless flowers, chiefly if net altogether
white. In her left hand are roses, white
too, and as fresh as herself. Her right
she gives frankly to stran ger and friend
alike, as her mother, splendid with his
tOric jewels and material pride introduces
them all to her, one after the other,
word or two, not more, 10 each, and eacn
passes on. 1t is pretty custom, unlike any
other in the world. They all pass on and
join the international throng in the other
rooms-senators, officials, diplomats;
grave men who seize the quch
opportunity to exchange words Of mo-
ment, and other grave men, grayrhalred,
but not old in heart, who whisper the
pleasant nothiEgs they learned long ago
to young ears that have perhaps not heard
them yet The air smells OF tea anu
flowers, the rooms are crowded, the heaI
is great, the good will greater still toward
the tall young girl by the door, VINO mas
shaken the hand of each and looked into
the face of each, wondering, perhaps,
whether any face OF them all is ever W
be the one face of all the world for her
We Americans are a wonderfully senJl-
mental people, and the ily-white maiden
VINO makes her entrance into society on
this day is as eager for sentiment as az
the rest of us. Now, sentiment IS goou
when it is found, and is real and there IS
little enough to care for in life without II.
Why, then, should the pursuit OF IL ee
ridiculous! 1t is, and it is strange that ~
should be. Perhaps the heart is ashamed
when the head knows what is doing