The Washington times., 1895-02-11
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND D0INGS

There is another new fad just imported
from Paris that society is likely to fasten upon
when the spring opens with all the ardor that
has characterized the fashionable adoption of
bicycle riding and golf playing. This is stilt
walking. Perhaps, Washing onians wearying
of the regulation round OF amusements may
take up silt walking even earlier and adopt
it as one of the leading Lenten attractions.
Started in France by the fashionable grande
DANES of Paris for the amusement OF house
parties in the country. it has been already
transported to this country, and, like every
thing continental, the swagger set OF New
York society is having try at it. Not long
since there was house party at one OF the
large country places on the Hudson, and So
ciety OF Gotham was then and there inducted
into the mys .eries of silt walking. dozen
pairs of stills were provided, and the guests
extracted considerable amusement, even II IL
is to be characterized as decidedly on the in
fantile order, in testing their rskill and risking
their bones.
This thing OF stilt walking is not, after all,
such new one for grown people as may at
first sight be imagined. Among the peasan-
try OF France it has been in vogue years
without number. Two summers since there
was IultC d luIOTo Oh ouUJCSt. oHh ohAiA7
walking contests were quite as much the
habit as were walking contests in this coun-
try. The contests took place between peasant
women, who, starting out. sometimes as
many as fifty at a time, endeavored. on Il
wager, to walk from one small village to an
other within given time.
If society here does really adopt the fad of
stilt walking it will be after all but returning
to the first principles of childhood.
From Paris again there is waited across the
ocean news OF another fad, that of the bloomer
or Tuxedo suit, that is being rapidly adopted
by the fashionable women not only in bicycle
riding. but in a sphere considerably wider in
range and significance. Again il is at house
parties that the French women are trying 1t
on the dog" In other words they are wear
ing their bicycle suits during a stay at the
country houses for the purpose of the better
enjoying little hunting and fishing trips.
There is, however nothing in the least mas
culne about the manner OF gowns worn by
those same FreEch women in the evenings
when their costumes are of the regulation
silks, eatins, and brocades with all the dainty
accessories OF lace and trimmings Of that ma
ture.
Miss Florence Bayard concluded her visit
to Mrs. Hearst week since and is now visit
ing Mrs. Robert Anderson.
The Misses Reeder. daughters OF Lieut..
Commander Reeder, left the city last week
for a visit TO Fortress Monroe.
Mrs. Percival Werlich has gone to Honolulu
to join her husband, who is one OF the Off
GERS on the Philadelphia.
Mrs. q. S. Grant, since her arrival at the
Ponce de Leon, Florida, has been the recip-
lent of much social attention. week since
Mrs. Grant was rendered q reception, at
which the Loyal Legion. Sons of Veterans,
and the regular officers OF the Army and
Navy and officers of the Third Artillery were
present.
Lieut.. Commander Wainwright, L. S. N,
has been awarded the annual prize of 500
and life membership in the institute by
the United States Naval Institute for the best
essay presented on any subject pertaining to
the naval profession. The subject of Lieut..
Wainwright's essay was tactical problems
in naval warfare" Lieut.. Wainwright was
formerly secretary and treasurer of the in
stitute. He is at present attached to the
photographic Office in this city.
Gen. and Mrs. Saxton are now at Fortress