Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-10
NEW YEAR In SOCIETY
OPENING WEEK MARKED ia
SEVERAL ENTERTAINMENTS.
TEE BRILLIANT RICHMOND GERMAN.
Ono of the Leading Social Events or
The Nfnter-Mrs. Tntums hecep-
,ion-Features at the Woman's
CIub-The Coming ball.

Madame de Stael, that Incompatible
conversatioualist once said that the art
Of conversation was the most important
and least considered OF all the arts. she
established a salon, unrivalled before or
since in its brilliancy; and, conspicuous
not only as the gathering-place OF states
men. artists, lterateur and gifted men
I'm every branch Of learning and genus
hut also for the polished wit and versa
fifty which gave 1t its distinctive tone.
Apropos of the recollection, some one
has said that Virginia wanted but
Madame de Stael to make her the recoS-
nized intellectual centre Of the United
States. and the point OF assembly Tor
the most gifted representatives Of the
non the brush, and the forum. l think
there sounds a gnashing Of teeth and
howl Of INDIGNATION, should l seek TO
centre the peculiar force OF that great
woman upon any one accomplishments
vet she herself spoke Of the reign OF pop
ularity as the revival OF the lost art Oh
conversation" thus significantly singing
ont "a q pre-eminent Characteristic that
which in every other age has perhaps
received the least attention. Let's ques-
ton awhile, and see whether there has
been a decadence OF conversation since
that day. Doubtless, so; there are CLUBS
ealore-clubs benevolent. and clubs phi
lanthropic; clubs religious, and clubs ag-
nostic: clubs social. and clubs literary;
clubs musical, and clubs sclentifc-but
where is the club conversational?
That would be counted a stupid party
indeed. where people Just sat around and
talked; yet the most resplendent period
which marks history socially IS the one
in which the keynote and ruling spirit
WAS the desire TO revive the lost art OF
conversation" 1t is not lost art now,
only it resteth awhile. In the mast OF
other gayeties and in the fearless emula-
ton OF a matchless precedent is there
no intrepid Madame de Staei who dares
give a conversation party2 There are
many who could. Some one VIII 90 H.
The Richmond german excelled its own
record in the features which it presented
last Monday night in elaborate and taste
tendance, exquisite dresses of the par
ticipants and the elegance Of the supper.
The Womsn's Exchange Is noted FOR the
excellence of its menus, and the beautiful
service which is a prominent feature OF
every banquet under its SUPERVISION out
AT no time has IL done itself fuller JUS
tice than in the magnificent supper Whlch
was served on the occasion Of the first
Richmond german Of this year. The
beautiful arrangement OF the mowers SO
susceptible of pretty adjustment-Amerl-
can Beauty roses and smilaX-Was ne
yond criticism as 1t was beyond descrip-
ton. The chaDerons were MesdaneS
George Ross, Thomas Boiling. Levin
Tovnes. David r. Tenant. Alfred l..
Harris Jr.. Edward T. Christian, James
w. Allison. and Thomas n. Carter Those
nresent included Misses Helena LEROY,
Della Tonpkins, Virginia Hayes, Eleanor
Rosher. virginia Mcleod. Ella jackson,
Anna Lee Alfriend Maude Stokes,
Marian. Kate, and Julia Harris, Mary
NcCaw. Anne Tenant, May Handy, Annie
Pose Walker, Hattie and Fanny Ross.
Henning. Elossie Talbot, Mary and Bes-
sic Pace, Kathleen Anderson. Louise
Mayo. Bessie Ship Of Lexington, Marianne
Meade. Judith Deane, Garrett OF Norfolk,
Annie and Leila Grey. Belle Perkins,
Smith Of Norfolk. brown OF baltlinote'
Mr.. and Mrs. Z. ID. Williams, Mrs. Harry
Frasier, Mrs. w. j. Walker, MRS. Ed
ward Mayo. Mrs Caskie Cabell. Mrs.
Tohn Lottier. Mrs. j. SHELTON Williams.
Nrs Sarah Grant Jackson OF Atlanta,
Mrs. A. c. Young, Mrs. George w.
stephens. Mrs. Charles Antrim. Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Boiling; Messrs. Charles An
trim. William $. Tunstall OF Washington,
Ren. Stacy. Hugh Mcleod, William Grant.
Ir NcMullen OF Georgetown, Brown or
pait,rnore. Alfred Young. George Arents.
tSine OF Washington. Harry L. Cabell.
mr. Arthur Cabell, Walter Claiborne Ed
ward C. Mayo, w. s. p. Mayo. Anderson,
curr,e. Davenport. rutherford. Cham
herIayne. Stewart Bryan, Jonathan
Rryan. Robert Campbell. David Tenant