The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-26

l
Taking Itself for Too Much.
Chicago, May 25.-Mrs. John Sher-
wood read a remarkable paper yester-
| day afternoon before gathering of So
ciety women at the home Of Mrs. W. W.
| Kimhall, No. 1901 Prairie avenue. on
The Philosophy of Fashion" inciden-
tally saying things kind and unkind OF
Mrs. Paran Stevens and Ward McAlis-
/ ter, the Two Lost Leaders" and not
going out of her way to fatter New
York society in general.
What is fashion," asked Mrs. Sher-
wood. Phillip James Hamilton says:
Fashion is the temporary custom of
rich and idle people, j should rather
say ii is the leading thought of the pc
Rod, the temporary curiosity, the SUBJ
servience to the power of a leader Then
again we must remember the real law
or change. Change is the keynote of
fashion AS soon as we get accustom-
ed to one style of dress the tickle god
CESS DEGREES another. Dress is as GER
tain TO follow its leader as the butter
cups on the hill side are to he alike
Mrs. Sherwood said that all people
who respected themselves wished 10
stand well in the best society. That
was natural and honorable feeling
What, after all, were the requisites of
good society? high moral character.
polished education, perfect COM
mand of temper, good breeding, deli
cate feelings, admirable manners?
This was asked because on entering
fashionable society these requisites
were not always found
TRANSITION OF SOCIETY.
Society was going through a transit
ton. The stately maners of tnhe past
were gone-those days when the first
maxim OF politeness was to make ones
self agreeable to everybody In these
later days the fashionable expert some
times treated herself to a real license
of bad manners. In some cities wealth
was the standard and a spotless repu-
tauon was of little account. What,
then, was the code of the modern world
was it the selfish code of Chesterfield.
or was it the more good natured but
careless one of the Prince of Wales?
All American fashion and what we
call position" said Mrs. Sherwood. "is
the outcome of influences and institu-
tons most interesting to the philoso-
phical inquirer. Why a set or coterie
holds sway in any city from New York
to st. Paul is an unanswerable CO.
nundrum.''
The lecturer said that there had been
steady degeneracy both in the digni-
~ and in the seclusion that would en-
wrap family life since the days of
Mrs. Belmont, Mrs. Fish, and Mrs.
Astor. and the chief sufferer from the
chronicles Of the press had been Mrs.
stevens. Whether she was to blame
or not was another question. Mrs.
Belmont was a leader for twenty wears
most refined, most beautiful, most ex-
elusive Hers was wise exclusive
ness and she improved society by her
own pure character
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
Mrs. Sherwood said those who stud-
led the tendencies which modified and
directed the social current could not
hut believe the conjunction of certain
pIanets, was dangerous to the manners
Of a great republic when it undertakes
10 be exclusive and assume leadership.
Many dinners" she said, much
VINE, late suppers, balls. theatre par
ties. operas, and coaching parties: the
very free and untrammelled intercourse
OF the SeXes-all these things have been
quoted as the explanation of a certain
social combustion and vim. Whence
comes this sudden corruption of domes- |
tic lnfelcity, these scandals. this terri |
bic malaiSe of modern society? In
London they attribute it to the Prince
Of Wales, in France they call it fin de
steele. What shall we call it in New
York? The influence of leaders. or |
much worse. fair. luxury, coaching and |
idleness?" 1t seemed absurd. the |
speaker said, TO take on a serious tone
as to the eXclusiveness of this stormy
that called itself fash |
ionable society.
1T was the misfortune of Mrs Ste |
vens,' continued Mrs. Sherwood. chat !
she had an imperious temper and liked |
m Cla no ol-
personality. which was always becray- |
ing her. Yet she was always hospita- |
BILE loving, and giving to those whom |
she liked. She had a great nature"
SOCIETY HER ARENA
As Mrs. Sherwood expressed it. $50 |
ciety was her (Mrs. Stevens) arena. and |
ii was almost as bloody as a bull fight" |
In fit of anger she had calledMr. Van |
Aliens house a refuge for fallen women |
Once she was asked: us society rapid |
and she answered instantly, NO. il is |
vapid." In conclusion Mrs. Sherwood |
was inclined to condone, saying: |
Mrs. Stevens was A much better wo-
man than society pictured her"
On the other hand. Mr.. McAllister !
was described as unlike his society |
compeer. Mrs. Sherwood thought his |
private character imma culste and his /
weakness agreeable. admitting. how i
evr. that like all potenta.es. he was
sometimes cruel
Society is now in the hands Of |
syndicate" the speaker said. in answer
to her own query, who are the pres
ent leaders,"
The lecture was the last Of A series
given in the homes Of we'l-knoTn wo-
men in this city. Tuesday afternoon
a reading, entitled Five Seasons in
London" viii be given in Evanston
at the home Of Mrs Herbert Thomas.
No. 1i3S Sheridan road