The age-herald., 1897-09-29

ed that degree of emancipation from old-timed ideas of feminine respecta- bility as is thus described by a London correspondent:
 During three months stay in Britain I have becerne quite accustomed to dial cigarette, but I was little startled the other evening when an invitation came to a smoking concert or 'sraucher." It struck me as being very bad joke, and I said so. The Englishman who gave the invitation looked pained At my club" he said, mentioning a partic- ularly swell West End one, "the ladies make more of a rush for the smoking concerts than for any other entertain ments that we give. Thsy don't have to smoke you know. They just come and sit and enjoy the evening It's our most popular festivity'' Later in the evening the Thane called. "All the la dies are going to the smoker" he said Wont you join us? Dear me, you needn't look so insulted," and with that he went off in huff.
 I went. It was very handsome club room, dotted with small tables, which were fitted up with smokers parapher- nalia. There were about a third as many ladies as gentlemen, I should think. The men were smoking vlgoroSs- ly and the Nadies were slipping dainty drinl1s-mainIy nonalcoholic-as they chatted. On and off the platform sing CTS and skirt dancers and maglcians fitted for their little turns. Everything was in perfectly good taste, nothing in the least vulgar, though many of the songs were of the popular order an1 the audience removed pipes, cigars and cigarettes long enough to join in the choruses, music hall fashion. My silver haired old ladies were drinking weak lemonade and enjoying themselves huge ly. Indeed, it would have been a very pleasant evening, for every one was so- cial and merrty, had it not been fer the thickening gray-blue atmosphere which gave the uninitiated a bitter fit of cough ing did not see a single woman smok- ing, but I feel convinced that scarcely one of them would object to the weed had it been a less public occasion. It was an excellently wel-behaved though jovial party,-and saw no difference that the presence of the women made save that the men went home perhaps httle more early and more sober.
 Now, anticipate your thought that must have been alluding to Bohemian society. Not at all. I have not the slightest doubt that class smokes, too, only 1t was not the set which I have quoted. Had it been the circumstance would have proved nothing. It was not
 
 the prim, proper, conservative and cor rect set. At one small dinner, I recol- feet. eVsry one (Save the chronicler) was of Oxford or Cambridge, every man with a high aim in life, and every woman with an uplifting "misson" They sat and discussed these aims and missions very solemnly ov'sr their frivolous cigar cites! At a luncheon party of six, where everybody (except the chronicler) wore few centuries old title. everyone smok- ed save the dowager of the party, a de- liglhtful grand dame sort of a person. who complained that the brand of cigar cites which the rest were using were not to her fancy, and there were none other in the house! I thought she ssem- ed a Httle proud that she was so fastid- ious, and was able to resist a tempta- tion because it was somewhat too strong!
 Nearly all the women's clubs of Lon don have their smoking rooms I was in that of the Pioneer club the other day. The Pioneer club stands for the advancement of Women-With a very big .'W," and the smoking room is an ori- ental dream, with its Persian hangings, low tables and divans. Some of the clubs have more than one smoking room-women's clubs, I mean. I know of one that boasts three cozy apart menis set aside for enjoyment of the
 
 East Washington street ever blossomed out in that way? It is very odd. I know hundreds of women fin America but not one who smokes. I know a few score of women in England and Wales and scarcely one who does not. But have yet to see a woman who inilulges to excess. One cigarette after each meal seems to be the limit, and it is smoked with such grave and dainty grace, the serena brow and thoughtful eye above the curling smoke that it would be. very hard-hearte'd person who would stir to much condemnation.
 The men in England are great devoteas to the weed. They tell me that the cli- mate here permits much nor nicotine indulgence than with us. Perhaps that accounts for the women. too.
 "The Little Church Around the Cor ner," of New York, otherwise known as the Church of the Transfigura tion, is about to lose its rector, Rev. Dr. Geo. H. Houghton. who has directed its spirit ual affairs for forty-sevsn years Dr. Houghton is a refined, scholarly man, who has inspiuted the confidence and admiration of af grades of life, and Christians of every denomination, in sev- cry part of the country. Dr. Houglrton will be suceeedd by his nsphew, Rev. Geo. c. Houghton. of Trinity church, Hoboken.
 The reception committee for the en te,'iainm snt to be glysn by the ladies of