The morning times., 1895-10-21
DINNERS In WASHINGTON
These Features Of Social Life Differ
From Those Elsewhere.
Cards Out for the Marriage of Miss
Mercy S. Sinsa baugh to Mr..
Owen Lovejoy Ingalls,.

dinner-gviug in Washington, for in this
city, as in no other city in the United
States, dinners have occupied a unique
place in the political and social life. For
over festive boards treaties have been ar
ranged, official appointments have been
made, and all sorts Of political secrets have
come to light. In fact, dinners are the
modern means-of political warfare.
There Is no better way for an ambitious
little woman to lay firm foothoh in
society a tthe Capital than to hire good
chef and give him carte blanche. In no
social function have there been SO many
changes as in that of dinner-giving during
the last twenty years.
Formerly it was considered ''dc rtgeur"
to sit for hours over a long and tedious
dinner served by profcsscd caterer with his
curious ungraceiul dishes, and his walters
that one recognized at every other dinner.
Now this is all changed. Beautiful table
appointments; no novelties that come out
every season, but the finest damask, ele-
CANT silver and gold, exquisite cut glass,
simple, delciously cooked menus, and ex-
ccllent service are the requisites of per
feet dinner of the present day In Wash
ington dinner giving is not, as II is III
New York, a struggle between the social
leaders to see who shall spend the most
money, but who shall have the lion of the
hour, political, social, or whatever lie may
be- at whose feet society is at the time.
There has been and still is in Washington
great deal of worrying among the giyers
of dinners concerning the question of
precedence, especially in entertaining the
diplomatic corps; but, since we have been
hoaoTed by anIba aSsadors, this very serious
question has been made little easier
10 the puzzled heads of the Washington
rlatrons.
h,rr off xt-Ia, md
who shall sit first?" That was the cues
tion. Now this has changed, as the am
baSsadors rank according 10 their creation,
but there is still the difficulty in seating
those who are not ambassadors, which must
be decided by the cleverness of the hostess
The most magnificent dinners that have
been given here are those of which foreign
ers and visitors have been the hosts. The
one of recent years which staudS out as one
of the most curious, as well as one of the
most magnificent, is that given by that
multi-millionaire from Dakota, Mr.. De
Ia Mar, at which. besides having all the
dclicdcies then not in season, and ali the
orchids that the best florist in town could
possibly furnish lac had suspended over
the center of the table an enormous sphere
made of the leaves of Ia France rcses.
An electric baton was connected with this
rose ball, which, just as the guests were
touched, and there was shower of rose
leaves such as had never been seen before.
The dinners given at the British lega-
ton during the regime of Lord Sackville,
who, though he may have made political
hlundcrs, certainly made no social ones,
were among the most brilliant that have
ever been given there. Miss West. who
seemed to have the happy faculty of bring
ing Just the right people together, was the
most successful of dinner givers during her
fathers incumbency of the British leg ion
Miss Allie Dashiel. who has been visit
ing her former home, Columbus. Miss,
has returned la the city and will be at
home TO friends this season at No. 1O5
Maryland avenue northeast.
Judge J. /. Hafi,-Uf the Interior Depart
ment. has returned to the city after
visit TO his home at Macon. Ga, nj few
DAYS spent at the Cotton States Exposi-
tion.
Mrs Louis W. Sinsabaugh has issued
Invitations for the marriage of her daugf-
ter Mercy Stevens, To Mr.. Owen Lovejoy
ingalls, Wednesday evening, October %,
from TO 10 o'clock, at her home. No.
1747 | street northwest. Miss Sinsa-
baugh is young woman of marked lit
erary ability aud has only lately re-
turned from Europe, where she has trav-
eled and pursued the cultivation of her
various talents. Mr.. and Mrs. Ingalls, will
make their home in Washington
The r. 7. Reading Club met Saturday
night at the residence of Mics Mollie Folger.
on Capitol Hill, TO arrange reading course
for The coming season.
Among thcsuggestions nsacteduponw asthat
of levying a small mCEihly lax ON the mem
hers for the purpose of buying books. The
ol,, collection
of general literature, but now that the or
ganization is growing in size and intelli-
gcnce it is desired that the library should
improve as well.
Among the members present, together
with their friends, were Misses Corinne and
Mollie + olger, Miss Marguerite Hines, Miss
Grace Blount, Miss IDA B. Davis, Miss Coral
Dunning, Miss Mary Farrell, Miss Mary
Nelson, Mrs George Folger. Mrs. Margaret
Dunning and Messrs. Frank o. Folger, |
Harry Dunning, Edw ard Barnes, FraEk b.
Farrell, Donald Morsc, George Davis, Oscar |
Duffy, Harry Cronin and F. d. Ferguson
and little son, Hal.
Mr.. and Mrs Oscar Duffy are home from |!
their summers outing in the Cumberland I
Valley.
Mrs Egan, wife of Prof. Maurice Egan, i
OF The Catholic University, is one of the most !
National CAPITAL. Prof. Egan has lately re- !
turned from a trip abroad and has joined /
his family here
The handsome home of Mrs Childs, on K |
street, is not yet ready for the inspection +
of her acquaintances and friends. Work 1
men are still seen on the premises putting /
the finishing touches on this latest addition |
to picturesque neighborhood.
Mrs. U. 8. Grant expects to devote most l
of her leisure hours this winter to her book. !
which has been written out for several :
years, but not completed for publication.
owing to her constant joarneyings.
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett is expected
in Washington shortly.
Mr.. ]. Elfresh Watkins, jr., of this city,
was an usher at the marriage of his cousin,
Miss Rebecca Burr Bullock to Mr.. Walter
Black, of Louisville, KY, which took place
at Chesterfield, N. j.
recently announced engagement which
is exciting much interest in Washington
is that of Miss Sallie Loring to Mr.. Fred
erick Dwight. of Boston, freddy" Dwight,
as he is called by his intimates. Miss