Evening star., 1896-12-12
THE SOCIAL WORLD
Season Has Opened in Purple and
Fine Linen.
WEDDINGS, BALLS AND DEBUT TEAS
Coming Events Keep UP the Gay
Record.
P E r S ON Al G. o s s P
P E R SON AL SIP

A pleasant activity has permeated this
week, from start to finish. The Halstehd-
Wilcox wedding started not only the week.
but the season. and perhaps as handsome
toilets as will be seen this winter were
in evidence. Nearly every one. either
matron or maid, whose dressing is at all
conspicuous for elegance, had donned a
rev dress for the occasion. and 1t was
worthy of 1t. The decorations of the
Whittemore residence. the brilliancy of the
company and the interesting personnel Of
the wedding party, made the event a note
worthy one. The guests carried away in
the wedding cake boxes pretty souvenirs.
These boxes were Of kid-finished paper and
the monogram Of the couple was stamped
iE silver on a white satin heart let in the
cover. The two receptions and balls mark
ing the debuts of Miss Bell and Miss
Ffoulke were other incidents of gay week
and of special interest to the younger set
for whom the latter feature was devised
Fresh dancing gowns was again much
admired phase, and what the capital has
set its sanction upon is likely quite decided
now in the matter Of evening gowns For
nal dinners have commenced. the embss-
sizes and legations being, as usual, first In
the field. and the Secretary of State and
Mrs. Olney the special guests.
and there will be for another week sure,
yet the disappearance Of the steaming ket-
tie from these festive scenes is absolute.
Nobody pretends to offer tea upon any
occasion where large gatherings are pres
ent. The charm of the restful cup Is not
to be wasted where there Is not room for
its perfect enjoyment in ease and comfort
and with a proper appreciation of the fine
china and dainty service with which it
must be accompanied. The tea has pro-
gressed and has grown to be quite as I'M
portant a feature of Washington entertain
ing as any other hospitality. Instead OF
tea and waters, nothing and hole through
that" as witty woman named the latter
once, the refreshment table at these after
noon events is bountifully supplied with
great variety Of both hot and cold dishes.
When ices and sweets only are offered. they
should be in great abundance and variety.
1t is no longer good style to have heav-
iy-laden table upon ones ordinary recep-
ton day. That should cnly appear when ii
has been preceded by an Invitation. After
seeing the stacks Of bouquets sent the
oebutantes for their coming out days one
wonders how long this custom Will last OF
what will take it's place.
There does not seem to be any courtesy
SO appropriate and so welcome to both bud
and parent stem as bunch of flowers,
but already 1t has grown to be quite a
burden as 1t was claimed a few years ago
about wedding gifts. Taste in these mat
ters suffers such violent changes that like
big and little sleeves ii Is hard to tell what
will happen next. Why it should ever have
been considered violation Of good taste
or as an ostentatious display of rich
friends regards to display wedding gifts
is hard now to explain. Ten years ago 1t
was the proper thing to make as grand a
showing as possible. Then came the re-
vulsion of feeling. and wedding gifts were
as closely hidden from ones general ac-
quaintances as If they had been stolen.
The little concession in showing the gifts.
but removing therefrom the card of the
| pYnrpSSinn n a
Natural feeling that others should enjoy
ones good luck. That is blown to the
winds now. and both presents and cards
are shown, with the result OF everybody
being pleased, because it seems the most
sensible thing to do. The bouquet idea for
the debutantes has only grown to it's pres
ent proportions the last two or three years.
But at present, as the mother of one of the
most attractive of the seasons buds, Who
was making her debut bow in perfect
garden of roses. said the other day, Il
think it is the chief reason why the girls
want a coming-out party"
Some of the leading events of the coming
week will be:
The Misses Davidge a tea.
Tuesday
Mrs. John Lynch, a tea, to Z, to intro.
duce Miss Lynch.
Mrs. John A. Baker. tea. to Z, al
which Miss Baker will be presented.
Mrs. Edwin McCahill. tea, 10 Z, to
present Miss Maud Laurens McCahill.
Wednesday,
Mrs. George c. Bloomer, a tea in honor
of Mrs. Bahkmetieff.
The marriage of Miss Maud Tracy and
Mr.. John Parsons Wade, lieutenant, 9th
Cavalry, will take place at st. Andrew S
Church at o'clock. A reception will fol-
low from $50 to 1920 at 1903 Q street
The marriage of Miss Grace May White
r. r ~ r,
Assembly Church in the evening
Thursday
Postmaster General and Mrs Wilson, a
tea, to present their daughter, Miss VIII
son.
The Chilean minister and Mrs Cana, a
tea, to present Miss Cana.
Mrs. Tisdel. tea, to present her young
est daughter. Miss Edlne Frances Tisdel
DR.. and Mrs. Swope, tea, to present
their youngest daughter, Miss George Ivan
Swope.
Friday
Lady Pauncefote, at home, tot.
Mrs. Sewers. dinner party for young
people.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ross Thompson entertained
at an elegant dinner last night in honor of
Mr.. and Mrs. John W. Thompson. The
table was decked with pink roses, and ali
the dainty appointments of the spread
were in the same shade. The other guests
were the Mexican minister and Mrs Rome
ro, Gen. and Mrs. George B. Williams,
DR.. and Mrs. Radcliffe and Mr.. and Mrs.
Cassel.
Mrs. Bakkmetieff, who is making a visit
to Mrs. Beale, her mother, will sail for
Europe January s. and proceed to her home
at Athens.
Senator and Mrs. -CulIom are expecting
visit from their only daughter. Mrs.
Ridgely. and her two little girls after the
holidays. They have been in mourning
since the death of their youngest daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hardie. and are now going into
society again.
Senator and Mrs. Gibson have taken the
house 1918 N street. Mrs. Gibson will not
be at home Thursdays until January Z, be-
ing obliged to return calls this month.
Prof. and Mrs. Maurice Francis Egan
have taken a house at lexington, al
Seaton street, and are pleasantly installed
there. Prof. Egan will deliver lecture
next Thursday afternoon at the Catholic
University on ..St Francis d'Assisi, the
Precursor Of Dante"
Mrs Gilbert A. Clark Of 119 9Th street
northeast win be at home Mondays.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. @. Wilkinson will for
maily introduce their attractive young
daughter, Miss Lucille Wilkinson. to their
friands & / in ovenfue receuffou fO ha p,van