Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-23

 ott. The paper was read by Mrs. John London. After the literary exercises at the earnest solicitation of the circle Mrs J. Morgan Smith sang two delightful bal lads. The refreshments were in keeping with the sentiment of the occasion. The cream was in hatchet shape, with cher ries in it; the cake had cherries, and the confections were in red, white and blue. The parlor was decorated in American flags, and an immense bunch of meteor roses stood on the table. It was an artis-s tic and beautiful celebration of Washing tons birthday
 The musicale given at the residence of Mrs. G. w. Fordyce. on Fifth avenue, for the benefit Of the Cumberland Presby- terian church was a great success.
 Vocal solos, trios, cornet solos, piano solos, recitations, tableaux and one act farce in two scenes, entitled Turning the Tables," were all well rendered-es- pecially the latter enacted by Miss Sa- die Bellaire as the timid wife afterwards the new woman, and MT. J. P. Fleck, the tyrannical husband. Both of the young people are possessed of unusual talent.
 
 Mrs W. Otho Beall gave a handsome luncheon last Wednesday morning at her home on Eighteenth street, South High lands. The embroideries were in voilets and chrysanthemums, and the name cards were lovely water color bits of art, designed and executed by Mr. Otho Beail. The delicious menu was served Tn SIX courses and between the fifth and sixth course there was a unique innovation Tn the form of intellectual salad" which consisted of curled leaves of green crepe paper upon which were written literary questions, which the guests were ex- pected to answer Mrs. Arthur Gaines or Rome, Ga., in whose honor Mrs. Beal gave the luncheon, won the prize for giV-
 
 swers. The prize was bisque plaque and easel After luncheon the ladies en- joyed several games of cards, the tapies being decorated with pink confections, and the score cards were heartshapeu' tied with green satin ribbon. Mrs C. Mims won the first prize and Mrs. Thomas D. Parke the consolation prize. Mrs. Bealps guests were Mrs. Arthur Gaines Mrs. Thomas D. Parke, Mrs. B. A. Thompson, Mrs. c. w. Mims, Mrs, '. Orin T. Dozier Mrs. Sanders Schoolar and Miss Josephine Schoolar.
 The following extract from the New York Commercial Advertiser of the 2oth instant will be of interest to those who have heard for sometime rumors of the engagement of MT. William Waldorf As- tor and Lady Randolph Churchill:
 London, Feb. 20.-The Leeds Mercury today says that the engagement Of MT. William Wardorf Astor to Lady Rai- doiph Churchill formerly Miss Jennie Jerome of New York will shortly be an-i nounced.
 Mrs Astor died December 22, 1894, and Lord Randolph Churchill died January "A, 1895. e
 7"The news of the much-rumored en, n, gagement of Lady Randolph Churchill and William Wardorf .Astor will be re- ceiyed with enthusiasm by American so- ciety. Though English by adoption, they are both thoroughly American in blood and spirit. William Waldorf Astor IS the son of the second John Jacop AsaGs 3s first wife was Miss Mary Paul of Phiia- deIphia. Lady Randolph Churchill is the daughter of the late Leonard Jerome ah9 sister of Mrs. Moreton ". Frewen ana Mrs. Jack Leslie, both, of England; nlece of Mrs. Purdy and Mrs. Lawrence Je- rome of this city, and cousin or Mrs. Jordan L. Mott Mrs. David Thomson and Mrs. Clarence Grey Dinsmore. Lady Randolph Churchill has two sons, J John Winston and Winston John. MT; Astor has two children. Lady Churchlli IS the aunt of the Duke of Marlborough',
 Shedding of weddings, this account or Amelie Rives latest husband Will De or interest. as so little has been known up to this time of Prince Troupetzkoy Tn this country. An exchange says; 1
  painter, who, during the past five years, has made aplace for himselt in Iondon. His mother Is an American woman, now living in Milan. AS MISS Ada Winans, she was known Tn her carry youth as teacher in a school In Bufilns- ton, Vt. She went abroad thlrty years a 20 to study music She was beautiful and it proved that her face was her for tune instead of her voice; she was mar ried to a Russian gentleman living In Italy. who died only a few years ago. Pierre, the eldest of the three sons, bea $ his fathers name and the title which he inherited without estates or other for tune than his own talents have achieved. About five years ago he went from Milan 10 London, unknown and not able to speak the language. One of his earliest sitters was MT. Gladstone; later he paint ad the Russian ambassador and during the past year or two he has been one of the most sought-after of portraitists in England and has painted many of the celebrated and titled beauties of the time.
 .He has made several studies of the artistic head of Amelle Rives, and it IS said that she has inspired some of his recent musical compositions. During her stay in Europe the year before last she was for time the guest of the mother of MT. Troubetzkoy, whose house in Milan Is center of artistic life .t
 I
 Miss Ruby Mayer will leave this morn- ng for Memphis, Tenn,
 Miss Ethel Levy of Meridian, Miss, Is Miss Rosalnn Hymes on Fourth avenue. af s.u.
 On the 9th of March MT. Samuel Ull- man, president of the board of education, will deliver. lecture before the Powell school lyceum. The subject of Mr Ull- mans lecture will be "rhe Jew in Litera- ture, Education and Government" cordial invitation to be present is extend ed to the public. -a3
 MT. J. Morton Boyce has just received the welcome intimat tion that he has sue cessfully earned by scholarly and musi- cal attainments, the much coveted and honorable distinction of the degree and title of Doctor of Music" This was confirmed and the degree conferred at a. recent meeting of the College of Church Musicians in London, England.
 The pupils recital at the College of Music was postponed until next Saturday on account of yesterday being Washing tons birthday.
 A,+h,r Crouday. raturpad a fauv