The evening times., 1896-01-11
SOCIETY WELCOMES Her
Mrs. craigie, John Oliver Hobbies, "
Is the Guest of the Fashionables.
Luncheon In Honor of Mrs. Olney Given
by Mrs. Holmes COnrad-The
Events of Next Week.

Mrs. Richard Craigie or London. known
to fame as John Oliver Hobbies. author
of The Gods, Some Mortals, and Lord
wickenham," is receiving a royal well
come from social and literary Washington.
Every afternoon her charming apart
mentS at the Arlington are crowded with
visitors anxious to pay respects to the
gifted young writer.
Mrs. Craigie is very young. very beau
tiful, and altogether very nice. In reply TO
the question how she liked America she
said:
why, did you not know that l am an
American? / was born in New York. but
when / was quite a little girl We moved to
London where we have lived ever since.
Bat still claim America. and. or course,
love it, am particularly devoted to Wash
iBgton. / was here in November and had
a delightful visit
Am / visiting America for any particu-
lar purpose? Well, yes, and no. lam writ
ing a play character comedy, and know
of no country where the people are bright,
so open in their convictions and SO strong in
their expression. Again. l am taking a
little rest. l am suffering somewhat from
overwork. SO while enjoying American hos
pitality l am gathering material for my
play a nd casing my tired brain at the same
time"
Mrs. Craisie spent yesterday afternoon
Tuesday she will be present at the meeting
of the Woman's Club, at No. 1871 street.
She was invited to address the club but
declined, saying that She never spoke or
read her writings in public.
On Tuesday night Miss Terry will present
one OF Mrs. Craigie's comedies. 1t is en-
titled, Journeys End in Lovers Meet
ing" and was written about year ago
especially for Miss Terry. Its first presen-
tation was one of the most brilliant events
of the London season.
The Prince and Princess Of Wales and
every one of note in the social ana literary
world was present. Mrs. Cragiereceivedonfy
the highest praise for her first dramatic
venture, and her subsequent pieces were
equally successful. Her Eovel, 1.-The Gods,
Some Mortals and Lord Wickenham,"
published little over year ago, created
a profound sensation in the literary world.
The hook is remarkable for its bitter,
hopeless tone and sharp, singing epigranis
that are a curious characteristic OF Mrs.
Cragie's writings. Speaking of this crea-
tion the authoress said:
"The book was written to show exactly
the attitude OF conscientious man whose
life has been wrecked by an unfortunate
marriage. He refuses to divorce his un-
faithful wife and TO marry the woman he
loves.
He gives no better reason for this
singular course than the old fashioned
theory that one niarries for better, for
worse, and the honorable will remain stead
fast to the bargain. He argues farther
that no man has the right to offer to the
pure-hearted woman he lOvesand who loves
him eyes that have seen nothing but life's
corruption broken health, and heart sick
ened and embittered by life injustice.
81 was curious to learn what society
would think OF such man. was not disap-
pointed to find that almost every reader
pronounced him weak, and his attitude that
OF n fool.
Society wants nothing higher, either in
fiction or reality, than self-gratifica tion."
Rumor, that omniscient agent, says
that beautiful, young aud gifted as Mrs.
Craigie undeniably Is, she has not found
life bed of roses, and that in her rela-
lions with the world she has found more
mortals than gods among humanity. A
tinge of this stern experience is apparent
in her writings.
Personally She is bright, cheerful, full
of vivacity and original sayings. Mrs.
Craigie is the daughter of John Morgan
Richards, the wealthy manufacturing chem
ist, now located in London and Liverpool.
She attended the University Of London,
where her record as scholar is an en-
viable one.
At the early age of eighteen she mar
TleO RlCndru CTdtSle VI LOuuOu. 4ue iud :
riage was unfortunate, and few months
ago she secured an absolute divorce.
Mrs. Holmes Conrad, wife of the Solici-
tor General, entertained today at Iun-
cheon of fourteen covers. Roses were used
in decoration, yellow being the prevailing
color scheme.
Those present were Mrs. Olney, Mrs
Harmon. Mrs. Dickinson, Mrs. Harlan, Mrs
Howry, Mrs. Minot, Mrs. Binney, Mrs. An
drews, Mrs. Maury, Mrs. Wilson, Miss Nor
ton, Miss Hamlin and Miss Whitney.
Mrs. Crosby Noyes gave luncheon of
twelve covers today for Mrs. Alexander R.
Shepherd, the decorations being American
Beauty roses and white lilacs.
Guests were Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Carlisle,
Nine. Romero, Mrs. Frye, Mrs. Morrison,
Mrs. Hillborn, Mrs. Emory, Mrs. Britton,
Mrs. Kaufman, Mrs. Willard and Mrs.
Wilkins.
Miss Mary Jones, daughter of the Senator
from Kansas, gave a luncheon today in
honor OF Miss Fordyce, of st. Louis.
Miss German, Miss Miles, Miss Moves,
Miss Mills, Miss wyville, Miss Baker,
Miss Huteheson, Mrs. Anderson, Miss Caf-
fiery and Miss Sue Jones made up the party.
American Beauty roses decorated the table,
and tie candelabra shades were of crimson.
Pretty souvenir books were given the
guests.
The Austrian minister, Baron Won Hem
geimuller, and Baroness Hengeimuller leave
next week in . private car for . VISIT to