Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-28
APPROACH OF LENT.
THE SEASON OF sELF-DnNIAL Is
NEAR AT HAND.
LAST WEEK IN RICHMOND SOCIETY.
Several Of the Most Pleasant Enter
tntnments of the Winter Given
Success of tho Confederate Tea
Receptions, Teas, and Personals.

ssv. and taste the pleasures OF the pass
ing day" This is a fint-lock OF advice.
and the finder OF desire is never in such
ready condition TO ignite. nor the fire Of
endowment 20 burn so fercey, as when
tho cxtnguisher hangs upon the slender
thread Of one short week. Society IS the
s,,perlative for all sorts Of gayety when
The season draws near which is set apart
ne a wholesome rest. physically. and a
rorlod Of sober contemplation and re-
freshment. spiritually-a short space when
the hand OF the Church IS laid ten
derby upon the head OF the World
which bows IN willing submission as TO
The epicure live while we live-the
preacher then replies: And give 10 God
each moment as IL flies" Lent throws
its shadow. but Ills not the shadow Of
n cloud: tits tho cool. inviting shade OF
n v.despreading tree in the midst Of a
dazzling sand-bar. The sands glitter
with increasing brllliancy as they near
i,s edge but who that treods them will
not cross the line feeling in their heart
its good to be there? Society's sun will
be hidden for time. but it's last rays
were respondent.
The reception at the Commonwealth
Club Monday night. by the ladies OF the
Confederate Memorial Literary Society,
takes It's place beyond question as the
leading social function Of the week, and
in point Of complete appointments and
dignity might be placed alongside any
reception ever given in Richmond.
Particular taste was displayed I'm the
decorations. which consisted in large
part OF a pretty arrangement OF the Con-
i,ierate colors. displayed upon ceiling
and walls IN streamers and appropriate
designs-the first and last flags Of the
Confederacy being given prominence at
every point. The word Confederate Is
the open sesame 10 every southern heart,
and any undertaking under the auspices
~ an organization which bears upon its
standard that talismanic title may count
. u0on general outpouring Of the people;
and the reception Monday night was at
tended 10 the full capacity Of the house
On which IL was held. in spite Of most
f0rbiddng weather-wind and rain pos
Fassing as little terror now when 1t de-
sends upon the satin and broadcloth OF
the adherents TO a beloved cause as
when il beat upon the homespun tatters
~ its loyal upholders, some thirty years
ago.
Judge Farrar recited "The Death OF
the Last Confederate" with a pathos and
feeling which can only come from the
abundance Of the heart. and in many an
eve there stood the identifying tear,
which tells OF grief without regret.
The music rendered during the evening
by Mrs. Decatur Axten. Mrs Alice
Swain Hunter. Mrs. George w. Warren,
Mr and Mrs +. II. Cloves. the Old Do
uinion Sextette, and others, was beau
tful-the entire programme being COM
posed Of southern songs, most Of them
bringing the echo Of a bugle and the
lingering glow Of a campfire. The two
numbers sung by Mrs Hunter CMary-
land. Ny Maryland" and THE Bonnie
Blue Flag were an inspiration 10 the
fssombled company. and scarcely voice
among them all has not Joined in the
choruses And "Dixie"i Who can but
hear the sound echoed and re-echoed
through the halls az, with one voice, the
words were uttered
'In Dixie land I'm gwine TO stand;
And live and die in Dixie!
The ladies representing the Reception
Committee were: Mrs. George z. Pickett
and her niece Miss Gambrel; Mesdames
l.. c.. Minor. George NJ. West, Ann e.
Grant. Lizzie Daniel. Jackson Guy, +.
C. Pendleton. Ben. Palmer, J. Taylor
Tllvson. r. +. Patterson. -- Northen,
T. A. White Decatur AXten George p.
Stacy. Hugh NJ. Taylor, and Miss Matte
Harris.
In the supper-room the decorations
were consricuously pretty. a preprandial
arrangement Of red and white carna-
uous in The centre Of the table ana
banks Of maiden-hair ferns and holly
ON the mantel supplying appropriate
c1lors The supper was presided over
rv Mrs. Mamie ID. Werth. assisted by
Mrs Bryce Stewart Hume and about
fifteen attractive young girls. Mrs. W.
a. BENTLEY. with Misses Nellie and Anna
Boyk.n: Nina Taliaferro, OF Gloucester
and Lizzie Townes served the choco-
late. Mrs r. d. Neal and Mrs Greiner
Neal serving the coffee. Among the
visitors from q distance were MIS-
Bradley 7. Johnson; Mrs. Cox and MISS
Cox. Of Philadelphia; Mrs George
Brown. OF Philadelphia; Mrs. ID. Is.
Ea-m Of Philadelphia, Miss Waller OF
Tsirfav. Misses Campbell and Mcintyre,
ot England. and Miss Cooke OF forts-
mouth.
Mrs. Duvan. No. SOL east Franklin
ftr.et gave very handsome tea Thurs
day evening from 70 O'Clock 10 the
ladies' Of the house. Mignonette anu
r.rr9+ions lent their daintiness and
p1.ntments. and choicest refreshments
elaraDtlv served. added not little 10 the
pleasure Of the evening Receiving win
Mrs Duvall were Mrs. Bradley i. Johh-
SON Mrs Andrew EllersOn, and Mrs
Abbott Mrs Lightfoot WOrmley ava the
lonOrs Of the supper-rOom, MIS-. W. =,
Iarfle, presiding over the chocolate, ana
Mrs John NJ Taylor serving the
sherbet The young ladies assisting III
Dispensing the hospitality or the occa-
sion were Misses Eliza BraHtoh' heDeS-
ca and Patsy Elerson ana virginia
Mcleod. with Mrs. Frank Nalle. Soihe
az those present were Miss Cooke, OF
Portsmouth: Mrs. Keim and Mrs. Cox
az Pbuadelphia: Miss Mag wilson
Miss Fannie Braxton, Mrs. l. a.
Erauder. Mrs. Garnett Mrs. Jackson
GUY. Mrs. Frank Deane Mrs. j. a
White Mrs James r. Wsth, MIS- Ju-
Mus Morris. Mrs George NJ. West the
Misses Camm. Misses Mary warren
Judith Dcane, and Annie Beach
The knowledge that the german ,r las'
Tuesday night would be the last lues
day german for some time broushl ou'
the dancers in fun force. There was -
very large attendance and pleasure ran
high The german was led by Mr.. w .
j.. MAYO VINO seemed stimulated 10 espe
cal effort on this farewell c5asion, anu
Jed in some truly beautiful ngues. Inc
ChaperOns were Mr.. and Mrs. 1Iaii"'
H0beOn. Mr. and Mrs. Austin BIochsh-
brOuph Mr. and Mrs. Charles Evelyn /
Smith Those present were MISSES
Helena French LEROY, Emily Carey;
N.na Randolph. Halle and hachaoi
Cooke. Evelyn Gordon, Marianne Meaus'
Mary McCaw, Virginia Mcleod, FLORENCE
rHlI. IaslrC