The morning times., 1895-11-24

in society. In fact, there is a certain we'll
known lady who introduces her protege in
this way: "Come with me TO the opera
Monday night. You will then know every
body" The quick success of the protege
after this general introduction argues for
the verify of the assurance.
Everybody knows everybody else In this
queer maze of boxes. Like little coops they
rise one behind the other, and each DER
topping the last by a little way. Between
them is q little velvet upholstery, q few
heraldic designs in gold and silver, little
gold scrullwork. But all are together. Word
is exchanged freely between the boxes, and
the owners of the different ones come and go
without regard to the box which they may
or may not own. The fact that they are
inveterate opera-goers is enough. For this
sociability many go to the opera FIRST for
the sociability, then for the music.
LeviP. Morton Is the most confirmed, the
most inveterate OF opera-goers. 1t is said
when asked to take the nomination for
governor, he replied: But l shall miss
my place at the grand opera"
THE MORTON BOX.
The Morton box is parterre box No. 10.
and it is filled every night OF the season
by some of the members OF the governor s
large family. Mrs. Morton never leaves her
husband for long at a time, but the two
find opportunity TO run down from the
capital, where the gubernatorial duties
keep the head of the house. and incidentally
TO remain over night.
Last winter Mr.. Morton came down one
blizzard day, and for hours he drove
through the city. Here and there, up stoops
and down steps, into high buildings aud
through long ones. But ever hurryinS oni
Two cabmen from the Metropolitan Club,
where the Governor gets his carriages,
We're tired out, but still the Governor hur-
ried on. whats your rush?' asked
fta.lh N nj
the executive leaped into his cab.
Got to get through by night-soing to
the opera" called back this inveterate
opera-goer.
During Mr.. Morton's long stay in Paris
he went just as regularly and knew almost
as many French politicians as here
Another politician opera -goer is William
C. Whitney. whose partcrre box, No. 80,
will be graced by himself this year and his
family. Mr.. Whitney has a way of gather
ing up people who have no special box or
their own, as well as these vino have. for
a seat in the front of his favorable box.
He gathers both society people ard pro-
feSSlonalS.
Mr.. Whitney may be called the father of
grand opera in America because he, mort
than any one else, encouraged its first pro-
ductions in New York on a grand scale.
Mrs. Whitney supported it with her money
and her social influence, and air. whitney,
theindefatigabe backedit with hiscommnn-
sense ideas. For a season past the whitney
box was empty, or without its original
owner, hut this season the bright face OF
the Secretary Will be nightly in It's place.
Calvin s. Brice, that wonderful man who
has come from small beginning tu first
rank politically and socially, is another of
.- "ts. Mith his wlieand
daughters he is nightly in place. He is
singular appearing man, always singular,
yet never out orplace. Anadmrcr of Calvin
5. Brice. looking at him in his box on one OF
the opening nights of the opera, exclaimed:
.'Louk at Cal. Bricc, Looks as If he had
been born in a dress suit and bruadcluth.
He is gentleman of the stamp that does
not knnw when he's dressed up He * un-
conscious and above clothes. You ought To
see him. As l have, with trousers tucked
in his bouts and overseeing a railroad job.
Cal Brice is good enough, yet not too good
for anything
OTHER INVETERATES.
The list OF the other odd inveterates''
is as loug a the list OF famous civilians
of the country Elbridge T. Gerry, Adrian
IscnI ana the Other iselirs. the RooSeEelts,