The sun., 1895-01-20
WHAT rs eoINs ON IN soc1Err.

all things will be at hand, and the rich and Idle
will be seen flying east, west, north, and south
TO escape the rigors of March and the unwcl-
come austeritics OF Lent Notwithstanding that
two big balls preceded IL, Thursday night was
the fullest and brightest, and those who had
the long pilgrimage to make TO Mrs. Gerrys aud
Miss Callendsr's found the drive rather an
amusement than bore. Carriages were dash
ing hither and tbither and electric lights flashed
through the open windows upon fair women
wrapped In velvet and ermne, whose jewellcd
heads dehed electricity to eclipse their spark.
ling brilliancy. Yellow and red awnings were
stretched at short intervals along the line OF
Fifth avenue, and the sounds Of reyelry pro-
claimed that dinners and dances were going on
within. Clubs and restaurants blazed with
light sherry's rooms were Illuminated for the
Cinderella dance.
Commodore Gerry's stately mansion was so
brilliant that tho Metropolitan Club looked
almost gloomy beside II. and surprising to relate.
the streets were sufficiently free from obstruc-
tions to prevent the journey from being one Of
torturing jolts and incessant oscillations. Music
lovers would probably have gone all the same to
Miss Callender's and Miss De Forests had .
blizzard been raging. so popular arc their recep.
tions and 30 rich the treat that these most kind
hostesses prepare for their friends. Still, il
would not have been "a pleasant or cxhilaratng
a- rapid drive over the stones under n clear
sky and In the dry, frosty atmosphere.
Miss Calender and Miss De Forest have to =
certain extent divided their visiting list this
year in order to give more space and more
com Portable enjoyment of the music ut each
concert. There was therefore no crowdng on
Thursday night, but the beautiful white stair
case was filled with gay gowns worn by pretty
women, and there were many unable to get q
seat. Diamonds were plentiful, however. worn
especially by those who had Mrs. Gerry's dance
in prospect at later hour Mrs. Morton, In rod
velvet, almost outshone Mrs. Astor.
Mrs. Astor's jewels we're pearls. nearly as
large as pigeon eggs, each one set in n cluster Of
diamonds. and worn on black velvet around her
throat, and below them fell innumerable rows
of Clcopatra's famous Jewels. The great bow
of diamonds, with iewelled tassels, that COW
cred the front OF the corsage, relieved the dead
ness OF the pearls, and was very beautiful.
Mrs. J. J. Astor sat near her mother-in-nw, and
was, as usual, the observed and admired of all.
Mrs. George DE Forest In white with pro-
fusion OF diamonds. Mrs. William Jay in pale
blue. Miss Mabel Jones in white chiffon and
satn. and Miss Alice Wilmerding in yellow
satin. were noticeable in the throng.
All the youngest and smartest OF Miss Callen-
der's and Miss De Forests guests drove imme-
diately to Mrs. Gerry's, where a small but very
effective cotilon was danced in the picture gal
lery. The decorations Of this superb apartment.
with its paintings. gliding. and works of art,
are unequalled. and served as n handsome set
ting for the flying figures, in jewels and bro
cades, who formed the cotillon. A great many
dowagers and elderly men came from Mrs. Nor
ris X. Jesup's, where Dean Hola of Rochester
had been entertaining the Thursday Evening
Club. and made background To the picture.
ba pa ria a. hol nd ha Hrs nf tho Tues
day evening dances at Sherry's were all that
the men and women who had spent and been
spent for their success could nave hoped for or
desired. There were many distinguished for
eigners at the Patriarchs' and many handsome
Americans. and il the dowagers did not wear
diamonds enough to make the rooms brilliant,
and the debutantes were II little overwhelmed
by the dignity of the occasion, 1t must have been
because the Patriarchs themselves did not como
boldly to the front and make themselves as i'm
portant and agreeable as patriarchal guests
can and should do. The Tuesday evening
dances and the ladies' assemblies have
the advantage of Icing controlled and
directed by women, and the Reception
Committee, when it consists Of ladies Ms
handsome and as gorgeously gowned and
jewelled Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Cameron, Mrs.
Isein, and Mrs. J. j. Astor. standing in the soft
light OF lamps in q bower of palms and flowers.
is an immense factor in the success of a dancing
party. Then Elisha Dyer Jr., is a power in
ballroom when he lays himself ont to lead
graceful. genial. and enjoyable cotilon. one
where people dance because they love 1t, and
follow him in his paths OF peasantness in what
soever mazes he may choose to entangle them.
Wednesday was distinguished mainly for a
steady downpour, which, however did not in
terfere with Miss Frelinghuysen's tea for her
fair young niece Miss Bes3ie Davis. daughter OF
Judge John Davis OF Washington. who has not
only most expressive and sensitive face. but
the gentle, retiring manner that belongs to
maidens brought up abroad. Among the clus-
ter of young girls surrounding Miss Davis was
Miss Adele Sloane, whose engagement to young
Burden has been recently announced. The
prospect OF happiness for this young couple is
as we'll assured as any marriage arrangement
can be in this restless, changing age. Both
young with tastes and pursuits in common, Of
one nationality. and with parents and friends
smiling approval on every side, there seems
nothing in the future TO be desired that they
may not reasonably hope to attain.
Tho evening hours. after many sumptuous
dinners had beenSiiscussed, were divided between
Miss Sibyl Sanderson at the Metropolitan Opera
House and Madame Sans-Gene" at the Broad
way Theatre. Miss Sanderson had the advan-
tage on her first appearance OF not having been
unduly advertised, and the audience. therefore.
suffered no disappointment On the contrary.
they were rather startled at her beauty. grace.
Partisan chic. and dramatic ability. AS for her
voice, it could hardly be judged by once hearing.
Sardou's play OF "Madame Sans-Gene" drew
a large society audience TO the Broadway
Theatre on night when there was nothing else
70 do. The celebrated Rejane not being here TO
take her part in the title role, Miss Kidder took
her place, and succeeded in absorbing the at
tention OF her audience.
The prospectus recently circulated OF winter
sports in Ottawa has set all the world longing
to start Immediately for the Dominlon's seat OF
government. Several parties have been made
up to leave on Monday or Tuesday, among them
Mr.. George Gould's, who takes Mrs. and Miss
Gould, Miss Kittie Cameron, and Count CasIel-
lane in special car. Lord Ava is expected TO
meet them in Canada, and the party viii! be, no
doubt, jolly one.
English society journals continue 10 affirm
that the Duchess OF Marlborough and Lord