New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
HOME AND SOCIETY.
ANGI.OMANIA HAS DISAPPEARED.

There is a sort of freemasonry among people
,e,onging to what is known the smart set"
o,d they have almost "argOt" of their own
9TH the shibboloths and passwords that happen
he in the fashion for the moment and which. be-
tore they are even perceived by outsiders pass out
Of existence.
one Of the chief and most marked characteristics
n the day one which up to certain point is GER
,.nlv desirable and commendable, is entire want
~ affectation in the majority OF this set II
seems to be 1.-The thing" just now to be quite
Genuine and natural. and ii is considered bad form
.. no otherwise Anglomania, which was rife
Tow years ago TO have disappeared entirely
and the men and women of the leisure class are to-
day frankly and decidedly American. All this is
as has been said. comhendable, the drawback
tsing that this naturalness. If one may call it So
,s apt 10 go far among nimates, and become
little too free and easy. while milady's pretty
oath by yea nay does not sound SO well in
modern anguage-for up-to-date woman does
not hesitate at darn" even stronger expressions
evoked by an unsuccessful drive at golf or some
oher circumstance equally trying.
Together with speech and accen, fashionable note
writing has greatly changed OF late. The newest
thing IN chirography is round and vertical, and
even inclined to be backhanded. This writing. ex-
ecuted with quill and with spaces wide apart.
seems 10 be the writing in vogue. and 1t is
curious to note how the handwriting Of the
older women has altered lately. following the tend
ency of the day AS this handwriting is very
lerible this. too is decided Improvement.
II is also fashionable now to be rather enthusiast
tic not say gushing. to thank people profusely
for an invitation. to regret, lies larmes aux
yeux' if obliged refuse Fashionable women
call each other by their Christian names on very
short acquaintance. and drop the Mrs" with
those who in their set almost Immediately; and
even men are often called Jack Billy" as
the case may be, by their wives friends. In fact,
all that is stilted and conventional is of date.
and everything is charmingly friendly and familiar
within the "set," but decidedly stiff and arctic out
side Of it. for kindly courtesy to stranger is not
one OF the characteristics of modern society.
ut is a curious sensation remarked OF the
ultra-fashonabe set Of fifteen years ago, TO 90
back TO New-York after dozen years Of quiet
living in the country. and find ones self dug up
that is the latest term l told, for those who
have been OF the world of society for some
time. and who wander in like ghosts Of the past
for some occasional function. At Mrs AS ball
the other night fet II had strayed into
other city. NewYork society. in which had been
born and bred. where had always felt as much
at home as in my fathers house. with the same
sense of vested right by reason Of Inheritance and
in which always fancied l could retain my place
which could take possession OF whenever l cared
70 do so. suddenly seemed quite alien. The room
appeared be full of unfamiliar faces. with here |
and there old friend, whose greetings were Of
the brefest. and who seemed intimate with people
had heard OF.
81 wonder where all Of these frumps come from
l overheard of these strangers say. I never |
Jaw such a Of dug-ups in my life. suppose /
they the Van Amsteraams, and the Van Twill /
ers and the Spuytenduyfes. and al the rest of
the RIP Van Wrinkle tribe that cal themselves old 7
families. and who have been asleep for the last /
twenty years. AS for my children, they have quite /
deserted and ancestors
What Is the use, mamma said my eldest |
daughter the other day, of taking of Old families? |
hn TT
Kn.ckerbocker. who they say is going to marry
young Bodenstein. he is good looking and clever
AMI rich. and every one says she is very lucky.
Who thinks of her Colonial ancestors. except
few dear cd ladies' like you. nanny, and who
how his father made his fortune? OF course.
II our fine forebears had left lot of money l
would have thought them perfectly splendid but
hope you won't mind my saying. dear. that as 1t Is,
think they must have been uncommony stupid
10 have had many chances and to have left us
so litte!
The fashion Of staying late in the country and
coming TO town for three four months only is
greatly the increase. and the people who DO this
apt to take small furnished houses for the win
ter only, and consequently change their quarters
very often. What would you do with such dread
ful ths?" exclaimed little Mrs X. ruefully,
she gazed about her drawing room with dismay.
Like many Of the conventional old-fashioned
New-York houses Of certain period her new dwell
ing was certainly very ugly. The carpet
Aubusson Of many colors the chairs and sofas were
covered with blue brocatee; rosewood "what-not"
stands were in every corner and were sparsely filled
with ornaments a grand piano, much the worse for
wear and time, covered with ciaret-colored
CLOTH embroidered with yellow scholops: there
couple Of undressing pictures easels there
. centre-table, with round marble top. and there
heavy curtains and port!eres Of blue brocatele
TO match the furniture. with lace curtains in the
windows Of large pattern. nondescrpt wall
paper completed the inventory.
Gould anything be more hopeess?" she sighed
again. 1--WE had to take II, for the bedrooms
very comfortable and sunny for the children and
the location is so good; but shall die in such
room"
Il should 1t all up said her friend
"But how" she queried. II can't afford 10 spend
much on It. the rent is high, and we have taken
1t only until next April" consultation followed
the results Of which produced really pretty room
The Objectionable carpet carefully rolled up
with camphor and conveyed TO the attic. and
"closeweave' India mating took its place for this
Mrs X decided. could be used in new spare bed
room "at home" a roll of rugs was sent from her
country house. which the mating looked very
pretty and made a satisfactory floor. The heavy
brocatee and lace curtains were removed and fresh
muslin ones took their place: these had ruffed Dor
Gers and tied back with red ribbon, letting In
the light and sunshine The furniture the great
est problem but pieces Of drapery with piles or
welassorted cushions transformed the sofas. while
the blue chairs with ecru muslin draped across their
backs and tied with ivory ribbon became really
pretty. The "what-nots In the corners were yelled
with old china silk to match the lamp shades,
for the ugly chandelier was unscrewed by gas
man and. with the eases. was consigned to the
garrett and several tall crystal lamps took Its place
4 cloth OF Spanish bullion and spreading palm on
the piano replaced the caret cloth. while one or two
Inexpensive and prettily covered little tables for tea
and periodicals. and general change In the ar
rangement of the furniture completed the ransfor-
nation
Il hardly believe 1t ID the same ROOM, said
the friend week later. as she sat one wintry
afternoon slipping her tea before CHEEKY fire or