Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05
RICHMOND SOCIETY.
YAs Brightness Of Easter Welcome
After Many We;kS Of Abstinence.
MEETING or COLONIAL DANES
Presented with n Miniature of Miss
Catherine Thompson-Mrs. Moore
rntertains, in Honor of Miss Moore
of Norfoik-woman's Club.

IN the different countries OF huiVfN'
the Old World the customs are oid' an"
there remain many curious and quaint
observances Of all the feasts ana ias'S
OF the different churches, and among 'hs
,uperstit!ous peasantry. Highly interest
ing is the week before Lent in sweden
and Norway. In the markets are seen
punches OF birch branches. gaiiy decorated
With n,rti-colorcd feathers. and print
"a yhvmes dangling from the tops. These
sro the vell-romembered switches sug-
s.stlve OF cid English customs, but In
Sweden relics OF old Catholic times. and
indicating the physical and moral caati-
cation necessary at tho Lenten season.
The principal buyers OF these instruments
OF torture, strange to say. are the chill
dren. and they buy them for use on
the Tuesday in holy week. early in the
morning. How they are on the qui viye
this morningl The earliest up and the
quickest dresser, armed with the redouot-
able and traditional birch. pounced down
upon the laggard slumberen, ard cuts
right and left.
Are the slumberers unprovided? No.
beneath the bed. under the cOveriet. they
IN turn draw their concealed weapons
and pill0w-hghts are nothing 20 these
battles. At school and IN the streets on
these days, the )elabored are anxious to
conceal their scratched faces. swollen
eyes. and blstered hands from laughing
school-mates or scruuuizing teachers.
on every Tuesday IN Lent very simple
dinner Is served. Fried pork and po-
tatoes. hot milk and tho Lenien buns
But the children. before partaking must
FIRST receive a gentle rap from tho birch
rod. Good Friday is called Long Fri
day." and IS strictly observed as fast day.
The churches are profufely decorated IN
black and silver. symbols OF sorrow ana
hope. At Easter however, al the vest
ments are changed 10 red and gold, eX-
pressing Joy and fruition at tho g.ories
Of the resurrection. on Easter eve, OF the
houses of the rich. and in the cots Of
the poor, a stated meal IL served. There
are boiled eggs in abundance, boiled rice,
and milk, with sugar and cinnamon
and cake for dessert Merry games are
IN order and the children form a ring
and dance and sing:
Now It's Easter again. Now it's Easter
again,
And Easter lasts till Christmas
Now It's Christmas again, now It's Christ
mas again,
And Christmas lasts till Easter"
on and around, unceaslns. and tlreless,
swings the refrain, until WEAKNESS or
lack Of breath ends the game.
At night. as soon as that long and
beautiful and nevor-forgotten twilight Of
Sweden and Norway has vanished every
hin and peak Is illuminated by lighted
L1r-barrels while ali join in ringing
chorus. and with dance and song usher
IN the spring.
Curiously enough, in all countries where
these feasts and fasts have almost a
Euperstitious hold upon the people. the
customs long survive after the reason
for their existence is forgotten, and
even when the children seem 10 be turning
their backs nupon the faith Of their IA
theirs.
The Virginia Society OF Colonial Danes
met at the hospitable home of Mrs. War
nsr Moore OF west Franklin street, at 8
o'clock. on Monday afternoon. Mrs. VII
liam Russell Robinson, the president, was
in the chair. The new members elected
were: Mira. Annie Taylor Thomas, Mrs.
Beecher, Mrs Langsta1 johnson, Mrs.
Agnss Dunlop Wright, Mrs. Harriet Falls
Rodgers. Mrs Mary Stewart Woodward.
Mrs Herbert Hooe, and Mrs. Mary Brent
noted upon subject to the approval OF the
examining committee, were Mrs. Ewing
Eaches and Mrs. Sarah Gates Ford
Workman Among the members present
were: Mrs. Robinson, Mesdames James
Lyons Lucy Carter Trent, NJ. +. Pleas
ants. Reginald Gillian. Charles Chaikley,
Henry w Flournoy. William ID. Thomas,
Louise Ford Whiuock. william II. Per-
kine, Annie p. Camm, William c. Mayo,
". James Walker, il. L. Coullng, VIII
liam Writ Henry, Agnes j. Wright, War
ner Moore. Howard ID. Hoge. and Miss
Virginia Peasants. The Danes will meet
again on Tuesday next at 8 Z. NJ. on busl-
ness Of importance.
An interesting incident OF the meeting
was the presentation Of a beautiful minia-
ture by Miss Mary Coles White, OF
"Fldon." her ancestral home. near
Chatham Pittsylvanla county. TO the So
ciety % Virginia Danes. The miniature
was that OF a Colonial belle and beauty,
Miss Catherine Thompson, OF New York.
wife OF Colonel Isaac Coles, Revolutionary
officer, from Halifax county. Va Miss
Whittls Is the descendant on the ma
ternal eide from this distinguished lady
and presented this as the nucleus or
museum OF Colonial antiquities, which the
society hopes In time 20 accumulate.
Miss White viii also present at
future date some heirlooms I'm antique
china and glass, which have descended
throughout the MurrGys. Bolllngs. Gays,
back TO the Rolfes. Old India blue china,
widowed with age. most valuable and in
teresting relies. In time, the society
hopes TO occupy rooms II its own, and
these will be appropriate ornaments, and
will probably be the initial step toward
a collection OF Colonial curios OF lncalcu-
liable value and interest The society
evinced their heartfelt appreciation OF
Miss Whites gift by rising vote OF
thanks.
After the formal meeting closed a beau
tiful collation. was served by Mrs Moore,
assisted by her charming sister Mrs.
Wight. o. Maryland. and her mother, Mrs.
Dunlop. Of Petersburg; the Misses Moore,
Mrs. Harrison. Miss Alice Lee Moore,
o. Norfolk. Va. and pretty-llttle brown
eyed Miss Jeanne. the embryo hostess and
petted daughter Of the house, who grace
fully dispensed bonbons and attracted
much interest and attention.
The decorations OF the rooms were In
green and gold. flowers and lamps.
The table was beautiful, and spanked
with cut-glass and silver. Tall vases OF
yellow roses and mignonette occupied the
centre. and corners. White embroidered
napery' china, ,andelabra, all formed a
harmonious whole.
The collation. consisted Of boned tur-
Key )elied chicken. lobster salad. grated
nam and tongue, lettuce sandwiches,
biscuits, slmonds. waters cakes, ices
punch cherry, tea. coffee. and chocolate.
LAYER IN the eyenng IN honor Of Miss
moore or Norfolk, party Of young
people were invited 70 a game OF cards.
Among them Misses Todd. Montague,
Moore. and Messss strudwlck. Montague.