The Washington times., 1895-01-20
some members of her househouId, her maid


usually, the details being full and complete.
The scribe, accompanied by maid, footman,
or butler, may wander through the drawing
rooms and take note of decorations. He may
Hnger as long as he likes in the dining-roOm,
where possibly the table is being laid for a
state dinner, in all the grandeur Of gold
plate, silver chandelaora, and pink satin
table-eloths covered with .rare lace. II the
reporter happens to be a woman, the dress
Mrs. Astor Is to wear, spread out In her
dressing-room. is submitted to inspection and
description. Taken all in all, Mrs. Astor L.
the divinity of the interviewers and entitled
10 their everlasting gratitude. She even rs-
plies to notes-provided the subject relates to
social matters. The reporter, however, does
not find himself in possession Of her auto
graph. for the note is always written in the
third person.
Mrs Paran Stevens Is both the delight and
the despair of the seeker after news.
At one time she is a6abilitv itself, at an
other almost orders the door shut in your
face, and-yes, she actually sTears at tha
footman if he is not expeditions in carrying
out this command.
GENTLE, But RETIcEST.
Miss Helen Gould never gives an inter-
view for publication, and she has the strong
est aversion 10 seeing her name in print
The greenhouses at Lyndhurst her country
place at MISREPRESENTATION, are always
and if any one desires TO write description
of the wonderful and rare plants, orchids,
ferns, and palms gathered there at such vast
expense. Miss Gould never objects. She even
instructs her head gardener TO render all the
assistance In his power, She also will con-
sent to having pictures taken of the green
houses, OF her new bowling alley, and OF her
house-that Is, the exterior.
Her younger sister, Miss Anna Gould, has
had no experience with the interviewer, and
whatever is said regarding her movements
comss from her brother George.
Mrs. George Gould has no objections 10
meeting the reporter. provided he can catch
! her; she will not, however. make any appoint
ments, nor will she reply to any missives semi
her with requests for the same. To the re-
porter who is lucky enough TO find her al
home, she will give brief interview upon
general topics-her teas. receptions, or her
pet hobby, the Potted Plant Association, and
at such times she is always very charming
and agreeable.
Mr.. and Mrs Edwin Gould live quiet, home
| like lives, and entertain very little; as con-
sequence theyare seldom sought by the writer
for the press. for which, If they expressed
their sentiments on the subject, il should be
one of devout thankfulness.
VANDERBILT RESERVE.
Mrs. Seward Webb always declines the
honor of being the subject Of a newspaper
lily, Mrs. Twombly and Mrs. Shepard, for in
stance, have no desire TO meet a reporter, and
seldom. If ever grant interviews. MIS-. Cor
nelius Vanderbilt or Mrs. .'Willie K" are very
I agreeable where their social life is concerned,
and are willing to give the writer an oppor-
| tunity to inspect the decorations or to look
/ over the list of guests invited.
| Mrs. Frederick Vanderbilt replies through
| her hoUsekeeper TO queries of a general na-
ture; she is more or less of an invalid, goes
very little in society, and never considers
that the public can have, or ought to have,
any interest in her movements.
Among other ladies well-knoWn in Vanity
Fair who are willing to give an account Of
their comings and doings for the benefit Of
the society columns of the Sunday papers are
Mrs. Duncan Elliott (nee Sallie Hagons),
Mrs. Burke-Roehe. Mrs. Cooper Hewitt, Mrs.
Abram s. Hewitt, Mrs. James Hude Beck
man, Mrs. Judge Andrews, and Mrs. Freder-
lex de Peyster. Mrs. George s. Bowdoin
| thinks it an astonishing thing, this reporting
of social affairs and says ''it Is never carried
/ to such an extent in England'-a remark
which strikes the one who happens to be ia
miliar with English journalism as rather as
| founding.
Mrs. Arthur NJ Dodge says ST used always
to refuse to give any notes for publication re-
garding my social affairs until I found they
| got reported and not always correctly so In
self defense usually consent now to give the
desired information" Miss Grace Dodge is
usually too busy with her various societies
for the working girl to find time to say q
word to you, although she is perfectly willing
to talk Of her work if you can catch her az
the right moment. Mrs. Pierpont Morgan is
retieent regarding her social movements, and
the same must be said OF Mrs. Elbridge T.
Gerry. In fact it is reported thar the husbands
of these two ladies are ambitious to found
society for the repression Of the society re-
porter. LEXINGTON.