The Washington times., 1895-01-13
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND DoINGs.

The serenity of st. Johns Church has been
disturbed by regent manifesto issued by the
rector Oh the SUBJECT OF seating strangers in
the pews Some years since it was decided
that after the first lesson strangers and all
who desired seafsin, the church should be
seated Ly the sexfYnwithout regard to pro-
test on the part OF such pew-owners and hold
ers as did not choose to conform to the pro-
prieties by arriving in time to occupy their
own pews. Thisgarrangement has been prac-
tically in force fora number OF years, though
in some notable cases the pew-owners did
not hesitate to invite the strangers to leave
the seats assigned to them by the sexton
when they, the rightful holders OF the pews,
arrived. Furthermore. the practice OF hay
ing placed in cei tain OF the pews large pla-
cards marked reserved" /" though generally
criticised by outsiders, has been kept up by
the autocratie holders Of pews.
Now comes the tug OF war. Rev. DR..
Mackay- Smith. noticing that the warnings of
the past have not resulted in the congrega-
tion arriving in any better time, and that the
crowd OF strangers that wait every sunday
for the privilege OF obtaining seats in 81.
Johns during the morning service does not
diminish, has decided to make and carry out
new rule. Therefore, the fiat has gone
FORTH and in spite of opposition is likely TO
be carried out, that strangers are to be seated
wherever there is u vacant seat at the close OF
the Lords PRAYER when the first anthem,
''yenite, Exultmus Domino, is snng.
For years without number sittings In St
Johns Church have been eagerly sought
after by the fashionable element, and espe-
oia h,,fb he ipO that f0ii0wS
in the wake OF each administration. The
Presidents pew has been for years the one
OF greatest interest pointed out TO strangers
more especially when the Chief Executive
then holding office WAS an attendant al the
church. Tho Presidents who have been regu-
lar attendants OF st. Johns Church, and as
such have occupied successfully the 'Presi-
dents pew" have been James Madison,
James Monroe, Martin Van Buren,. William
Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary ray
lor, and Chester A. Arthur With the excep-
tion OF the last named, there are memoir al
windows 10 each of these Presidents In the
north transceps. There is a memorial window
10 the wife OF the late President Arthur.
placed there by Mr.. Arthur during his ad-
ministration.
During the present administration Attor-
ney General and Mrs. Olney and Postmaster
General and Mrs. Bissell are pew-hoiders IN
st. Johns. During tho past week there has
dppedteu u UOlitS ia Out Vi tuO iOSui puPSA1
that has excited considerable comment and
surprise This is to the effect that one OF the
pews IS to be sold on account oil the non
payment OF rental by the present occupant.
| Conjecture runs high as to who this delin-
quent can be, but inquiry fails to elicit the
name.
Next TO the perturbed state OF affairs exist
| ing, as stated, in st. Johns Church, about the
most interesting topic under discussion in So
| ciety is the perturbation recently exciting
! the Marine Band because one of the promi-
nent entertainers who had engaged the band
! to plav at az evening entertainment. declined
/ to nave its members Included in the number
/ of those for whoms,ipRer was 10 be provided
! Thereupon The leader OF the band declared he
would not play at the house in question, and
i that if the other men chose 10 submit TO such
/ state OF things they would have TO play
! without his leadership. At first the men Were
/ inclined to hold out with the leader, and IN
! sist upon supper being served as usual. but
I finally they compromised upon the payment
/ OF an additional dollar apiece in view OF the
/ fact that they worid play minus supper
/ The leader however. refused TO come dowr
/ from the dignified stand he had taken, and
/ on the evening of the bail the Marine Banc
| played without his leadership, just as he had
declared would be the case.
Toe lis. OF gayetless for the present week is
/ by no means as arge as that during the past
/ six DAYS OF entertaining. The week Will be
! signaized by the omission 4of any entertaia
I ment at the White House osdn ofiiciai nature
! This will be the only. week during the pres
] ent season that there VIII not be either al
! evening card reception or state dinner, bu
/ the following week things wilt be equaiizeo
! by the IA I that there will be two entertain
\ ments, the dinner to the diplomatic corps OF
the evening OF the oath instant. and Mrs
Cleyelands first and only reception to th'
public on Saturday afternoon, the 26th IN
4 stant. from TO 5 o'clock.
/ Prominent among the gayetieS Will be:
| MONDAY
Miss Katherine Willard will hold the lrs
OF her series of three concerts at the resi-
dence of Secretary and Mrs. Lamont at noon
Senator ard Mrs. Mcpherson will give
dinner party,
Mr.. and Mrs B. F. Leighton will give re
ception in honor OF Hon. aud Mrs. Sever
ance, of New York. at their home on Capito
| Hill
| TUESDAY
Paymaster General and Mira. Stewart vii
/ give tea from TO O'Clock.
The Secretary OF the Navy and Miss Her
bert will give a dinner in honor OF the Presi
dent and Mrs. Cleveland.
Mrs. Coombs and Mrs, Fox will give a te
from to o'clock.
Mrs. Charles G. Dnlin will give a tea j
honor of Mrs. NJ L. Prescott, OF Boston.
= Mrs. and Miss Morton will give tea fror
A to O'Clock.
WEDsEsDAY-
The Cabinet receptions will be held from
to 6 O clock in the afternoon.
Paymaster General and Mrs. Stewart wi
give an afternoon tea
TIE British Ambassador and Lady Paunce
forte will give a dinner party.
The annual charity ball will be given at tn
National Rifles Armery under the leadin
) fashionable patronage IN official and diplo
matte society The ball will be attended b
the Cab net and the leading society of th
city. 1t is expected that Mrs. Cleveland wi
be in attendance.
Mrs. Stanley Matthews will give Dime
party.
THURSDAY
The German ambassador will give a re
, ception to celebrate the birthday of the Gel
man Emperor.
Mr.. and Mrs. Letter will give danein
party.
Mrs. Casenlove Lee will give o'clock te
Assistant Secretary OF State and Mrs. VI
, will give the second of their two teas.
Miss Williams will give tea in honor
Miss James at her home, No. 1885 Eleyeni
street.