Evening star., 1897-01-16

1t has been a busy week socially, but the
gayety has had a rather more substantial
form than usual. The events have run
largely to dinners, opera parties and sup
pers and such other solid recognitions that
can only be construed as fiattering tributes
to personal excellence or ability to recipro
cate with invitations of equal value. AS a
cinner-giving community Washington daily
becomes more important, and the value of
good cook is somewhat akin to the scrip
tural definition of good wife. There seems
to be a slight lull in the giving of house
balls, but there are said to be some sur
prises in store for next month. The season
Will have the full month CT February at
its command and two days of March; but
there is not likely to be anything of great
moment occurring after the 10th, as some
of the official homes will show by tina.
date siglis Of disintegration. The inaugural
ball will preclude the possibility of getting
up any other large ball, such as the Army
and Navy has been the last two winters
The club was not reorganized this season
and any intention there was of giving an
assembly has now been abandoned. The
smaller dancing clubs have been very sue
cessful this winter and have several events
yet on the card Marriages do not seem to
be on the decline, Notwithstanding the 9TH
er attractions of the season, and several
come next week. which will provide very
agreeable breaks in the every day routine
The charity ball next Wednesday night is
the only one OF the week. That evening in
a6oition, has been kept entirely free from
all other social engagements, SO there is
absolutely nothing that could possibly de-
tract ever so little from its success The
charity ball has always been a brilliant
event. and this one has an additional fea-
ture In the supper. Each member of the
board of the Children's Hospital has pledg-
ed herself to send in suitable Quantities
the particular dish for which her cook is
70 otv1ftn ~..1
these auspices cannot fail to form a mar
velous spread.
Some of the events in next weeks calen-
dar are, for:
Monday
Mrs. Benjamin F. Leighton, a tea: to T..
Tuesday
Mrs. Romero will receive 3 to g. at the
Mexican legation for the last time this sea-
son.
Secretary and Mrs. Carlisle, dinner in
honor of President and Mrs Cleveland
Mr.. and Mrs. Rudolph Kaufman. a re-
ception; pm.
The marriage of Miss Camilla Hare and
Mr.. Jay B. Lippincott, at St. Johns Church,
at II o'clock.
Mrs. Cullom, a luncheon, to meet Mrs
William Ridgely and Mrs. Charles Ridgely
The annual charity ball for the Chill
dren's Hospital, at the National Rifles
armory.
Thursday
President and Mrs. Cleveland will enter
tain the diplomatic corps at dinner.
Friday
Mrs. Francis. wife of the Secretary Of
the Interior. will give a luncheon in honor
of Miss Boyd.
Mrs. and Miss Caffery a tea O'clock at
2110 o street.
The Washington cotillion at Rauscher's.
1894 Connecticut avenue; assembly at g.;
cotillion at 10.
Saturday
Mrs. Cleveland, card reception for
ladies, from 3 to 5.
Mrs. Crop2er, luncheon.
Secretary and Mrs. Olney. diplomatic
dinner.
1t has been many years since opera has
leen given here to such audiences as have
as seDlbled the past two nights and at the
matinee today. Where the charm of Wag-
rerian music lies may be puzzle for those
constitute harmony, but that it can be en-
joyed and can be made delightful to the
highest degree. when heard with an
audience composed Of the very
has been satisfactorily answered.
The gilded horseshoe of the Metro
politan Opera House in New York could
have held no more precious freight in the
way OF distinguished humanity tnan eltQer
Of these gatherings here. and in many re-
spects measuring such a Washington au-
dience by its achievements, its official or
diplomatic position. 1t is simply impossible
to touch 1t anywhere save at foreign
capital. There were a few. but just few,
ladies who marred the picture a little by
wearing their bonnets, yet their presence
gave evidence of a republican simplicity,
feeling we would not exchange for q wa
gon load of cororets-so at least, as a ma
tion we are fond Of saying. even II as in
dividuals we show q weakness now and
then for the glittering baubles. Everybody.
though. who Is anybody. as the old trite
saying goes. cid honor to the occasion by
the most gorgeous array. Splendid gowns,
made doubly attractive by flashing gems.
were the rule. The diamonds glittering on
necks and hair around the double tier Of
boxes were almost q perfect band Of light.
Mre. Cleveland was superb last night in q
gown. Of pale pink satin that had in the
short puffed sleeves punches of violets. A
diamond rose on q gold bandeaux, and her
diamond necklace, were the most conspic-
uous OF her ornaments. She had the least
prominent place in the box, the President
and Mrs. Bissell, who was handsomely
g0wned in blue satin, being in front of her.
Mrs Perrine were white satin. and looked
the beautiful woman she iS. Tonight
President and Mrs. Cleveland win be the
guests Of SeaaGbary and Mrs. Francis.
The Washington Cotillon will inaugurate
its season by an assembly at Rauscher's
q
pretty ball. The company lis well chosen
and Of comfortable proportions. The CO.
tillon will begin at 10. The receiving party
will be Mrs. Charles H. Gibson, Mrs. N. c.
Blanchard. Mrs. Charles ]. Faulkner and
Mrs. Charles B. Howry, popular matrons
and delightful hostesses. Mr. w. Francis
Fletcher Field Is the secretary Of the club
and its members are all well-known young
men. who understand all the art of giving
their guests perfect entertainment.
Secretary and Mrs. Carlisle entertained
at an elegant dinner last night Chief JUS
tice and Mrs. Fuller, Justice and Mrs
Peckham. the Guatemalan minister and
Mrs. Lazo Arriaga, Miss Morton, Repre-
sentative and Mrs. Washington, Mrs Stan
ley Matthews. Assistant Secretary and
Miss Hamlin, Assistant Secretary Curtis.
Mrs. Lawrason Riggs OF Baltimore and
Mr. Logan Carlisle. The table was beau
tifully decorated with La France roses and
hlies, and the tapers burned under pink
shades
The Mexican minister and Mrs. Romero
entertained at handsome dinner last
night Mrs. Barreda, Mr.. and Mrs John w
thompson, MI. and Mrs. W. E Curtis
MI. and Mrs. Jules Guthridge the Nicara-
guam minister. Mr.. Rodriguex, the Con /
Rican minister, Mr. Carlo, and Mrs. Car
c1a-
Mrs. J. s. Whitehead entertained at a
handsome violet luncheon venfertsav Ar,.