Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-17
The Cinderella Movement.
written for the DspctchJ


"Irnagine my SURPRISE" said a fash
ionable woman few days ago. ITO get
only an hour and a hairs pleasure at
the last dancing class. You see she
continued In explanation. lit Is TWO
years since my husband and haFc been
out TO social affairs. This was our
first subscription dance. We thought
things governed in the old way. ana ac-
cor..ngly took the evening iessurely' ar
irving at 1880. We got in one figure q
the cotiilon. and presto. supper was an
nounced II was / o'clock. and' uhdef
The new rules. no more dancing allowed.
We scarcely felt We had our moneys
worth: but rest assured we 50 II o CLOCK
TO the following one.
The early-hour movement, X appears
Is a reform that has come 10 stay. II
has been adopted by he matronS ie-
cause their nervous powers are wearing
ont. and BIZ the debuldntes 10 preserve
their faculty OF enjoyment through the
years 10 come.
In smaller towns, where dances are
not of nightly occurrence, and the mex
morning can be given over TO Sleep inc
change in hours is not so necessary. but
TO the New York woman. whose social
calls come at noon and continue through
the night, the reform Is an essentially
happy and vital one. 1t provides Tor Hcr
an amount OF rest she would propaDiy
lack the determination 10 selt-adm!nlster
The ball was set rolling in this direction
OF short hours last season, when the
cinderella parties were inaugurated 10
provide amusement during the Lenten
season. Then very small. informal dances
were given, where every one LEFT OF at
the stroNe OF -. The plan was voted
success by the host OF young girls al
tending.
II has long been philOscphic conclusion
that TO leave off before one is satiated Is
the better part % wisdom. The Cinderella
Club found the maxim correct. the snort
hours increased their Zest for the next
affair and found them the following day
with the sense Of having had good time,
and no sense of WEAKNESS. They did not
suffer from that despairing disease. which
the Germans succinctly express as kat
zens jammer.
OF course, this restful opportunity is
denied TO large functions Ike the Pa
triarch's Charity Ball and assemblies.
but many hos;esses of the season havc
taken advantage OF the discreet pace set
by popular vote, and save themselves
much fatigue by counselllng the orches-
ira TO play Home, Sweet Horne" ut
O'Clock. Supper is the pleasant finale to
the evening gayety.
Another change in society circles Is the
sinking into innocuouS desuetude OF the
formal afternoon tea. With the excep>
ton of a very few such receptions given
70 introduce debutante daughters this
winter. the cuetom has fallen into dis
use. Even these affairs were not among
the exclusively smart set. III the house
is spacious, a banquet like the recent
one Of Mrs. Elbridge y. Gerry's Is sven.
and this label banquet" only thinly dis
gllises a return to the old-fashioned ball.
or else. IL the house does not boast q
ballroom p series Of dinners are ar
ranged TO introduce the young woman.
But the crush OF an afternoon AT
Home" has been RELOCATED 10 the Co
main OF people less original. II is dyin5
a natural death.
Dropping into tea, however, In It's prini-
tive fashion, is rapidly becoming more
and more popular. Each person who OBJ
serves their day at home has this bever-
age for their callers. And the custom does
not stop at the prescribed reception-day
for 1t Is the vogue 10 serve the cup that
cheers to -shoever chances In at the twi-
light hour during the week.
This has been more or less done Tor
seasons. The change consists in that In
stead Of the hostess making the tea on the
table whose accessories are so familiar.
a white-cspped maid or butler brings in
the silver tray with everything ready. 1t
only remains for the chatelaine OF the
house 20 pour the liquid into the cups.
Neither are there sa,ted almonds or
waters, or olives in this repast. but thin
slices OF bread deiicately buttered and
good. old-fashioned jam or marmalade.
IL possible a blazing wood fire adds
cheeriness 20 the scene. and the table
on which ths saiver Is placed Is drawn
close 20 it's warmth.
IT'S another adoption from the English,
but pleasant. unartifciai one.
ADELE McALLISrER.