The record-union., 1897-12-28

all belonged to the peasantry of their
respective countries, and are naturally
uncouth. The sight-seer, while finding
them picturesque, soon becomes wear
led Of the ceaseless clatter and chatter,
the foul atmosphere of the stores and
eil-smoked streets, and is soon glad
TO return to the greater and more
wonderful attractions up town.
Certain philosophers have said that
there cannot be any great happiness
without corresponding amount Of Woe
fulness, and I am often led to wonder if
this latter is accounted for in the ap-
pearance of the employees of these great
department stores. Pale, haggard and
features set with grim desperation, al
ready overworked, they go about their
duties till near midnight, every day for
more than week. They would prob
ably be willing that Christmas should
be celebrated in some other way ana
that it would come much less often.
There is to be given in the week after
Christmas and in the name of charity
two operettaS that promise to be notable
affairs. One is that of the "Mikado," by
a select amateur company at the new
Astoria Hotel, and the other "Cinderel-
la by three thousand school and con-
vent girls at the Metropolitan Opera
house.
The former will be a success. and this
is assured. Entertainments at this new
palace hotel are fashionable, and were
a prize fight to be given instead of the
usual light concert or operetta, rhe
-four hundred" would doubtless be just
as much in evidence; for, lei it be known,
that it is not the entertainment that is
the attraction, it is the Astoria, and this
new venture of the Astors is the thing
at present-the thing for gilded society
to smile upon.
The other event, which from its nature
promises to be more interesting, is nav
igated and ah-er-chaperoned by Commo
dore Gerry. The girls, understand, are
none of them under 16, else the Com
modore would have objections, for at
that age, he thinks are young ladies
fit to be seen upon the stage, and not
younger.
Preparations are now being made for
the event in various halls, where 1t IS
being arduously rehearsed, under the
supervision Of masters of the ballet ana
these rehearsals promise great things.
The girls will be costumed as hornets,
flowers, fairies, etc, and the male parts
will all be assumed by them. This i'm
mense ballet, carefully trained from
promising material, will be a thing mover
and wonderful, and should strengthen
the finances Of the Founding Asylum, as
that institution deserves.
Apropos of the Astoria, it is rumored
that a series Of dances will be given
there during the season by Mrs. Ogden
Mills and Mrs. Henry 7. Sloane. rms
fact is not especially remarkable IN it
self, but rumor also says that invita-
tions to these exclusive affairs VIII be
chosen from a blue list of seventy-hVe
names selected by the two ladies afore-
said. This, according to the way society
interprets it, means that the famous
-four hundred which the late Ward
McAllister condensed to the one nun
dred and fifty" is to undergo another
transition to a constellation of a still
lesser magnitude. May the spirit of the
late Ward find consolation in the fact
that nothing can be done which cannot
be better done. Or does it mean that
exclusive society is deteriorating and
becoming more limited numerically SIM
ply because of such common factors as
Time and Death? Is 1t possible that the
-four hundred" of other days, in the face
Of statistics regarding increasing popu-
lation is undergoing a proportionate re-
duction in It's ranks? Is it possible that
the present generation will have to view
the sad spectacle of a single remaining
unit, the last of the -four hundred?' The
spirit Of old Manhattan forbid,
In view of one or two more or less Sc
rious trays in which the policeman's
night stick figured conspicuously,
movement, supported by sensational
newspaperdom and new Police Com
missioner is on foot which threatens TO
abolish this weapon.
1t is claimed that the smaller day
stick serves the purpose sufficiently
well and that the heavier weapon is ''too
dangerous" This theory, though,
strengthened somewhat by the fact of
the London police adopting the lighter
weapon. is weakened considerably when
it is remembered that a few years ago
it was given trial here in New York
and found wanting; the night stick be-
ing (fnally) restored to the finest The
Chief of Police, together with a majori-
ty of the Commissioners are in favor of
it's retention, and the contrary howl will
probably be lost on public opinion.
PRESTON JONES.