The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-12
ANOTHER SOCIAL CHANGE.
PASSING AWAY OF SUBSCRIPTION
DANCES IN SEW YORK.

The Assemblies to BE Given Up-They Will
Follow the Fnte of the Patriarchs-Long
the Most Exclusive Carbohydrates
ty's Growth the Cause of Their Decline.
1t is unoHlcially announced that the Assem-
blies. or "Matriarchs." rs they were called Mt
one time. to distinguish them from the Patri-
nrchs. Of which the men in society and not
their wives we're members. have come to an
end. This series OF private su subscription dances
was one Of the most exclusive ever given in
Now York. These entertainments were organ
lied some years ago to counteract what was con-
sidered a tendency to open the gates too wide
and admit to the subscription dances which
at that time existed persons who were prac-
tically not entitled to that distinction. For some
years these functions fulfilled admirably the
purpose for which they had been organized.
The three dances given every year were as
perfect In appointments and detail as they
were representative OF most that was exclusive
In the social life OF the city. But 1t became evil
dent several years ago that there was not tho
same interest felt in the balls. The attendance
was not so good. and their spirit was much less
enthusiastic than at the beginning Of their OK
~istence. After n while entertainments were
given without hesitation on the Thursdays set
aside for the Assemblies. That would have
been incomprchcnsible when the balls were
first organized. Only a few years ago
the suggestion to discontinue the Assemblies
would have seemed blow important to oil socie-
ty and significant OF some decided change. Now
the probable discontinuance OF these dances Mt
the end Of the present year is not looked upon
as more than an ordinary event in the course
OF the city's social life. The conclusion that
the dances will be abandoned was founded
first on the discussion held last autumn over
the advisability OF giving up the dances and
the failure to make 80 far any plans for the flu
ture OF the organization. 1t Is confidently ex-
pectcd by the members of the organization that
tho dance given last Thursday night will bring
this famouss series Of balls to an end.
The abandonment OF the Assemblies Is highly
significant OF tho growth OF society here. No
doubt smaller dances will be given by subscrlp-
ton to take the place Of these. but what the
Assemblies represented seems to have passed
away forever. II was not thought ten years
ago that the time would come when New York
would feel TINT these most exclusive gather
ings were no longer in demand. but 1t is a fact
that the Assemblies have been given up. Just as
the old Tuesday evening dances Of the Patri-
archs were. because it is. not possible any
longer to ilnd guests "nonGh eager TO CONF to
orally supposed to have come to their end
when Ward McAllister died. and there was no.
body a.SiSh left 70 give i f9them the ~ personal a%tte MtIoH
made it certain, that in respect 20 the supper;
the quality Of the gathering and the material
lNAlN VI INV AAAAH AiA' fNANA NANfAAN ~ A9
nearly perfect as possible, Tho absence Of Mr..
McAllister's care undoubtedly hnstened the
patriRrchs to their ultimate fate. 1t was known
before that time that they were not likely to
continue much longer.
Long before the Patriarcht came toan end"
said n man who has known New York society
for many years, "srbscrihors began to find that
the demand for tickets was not 80 active NJ IL
had formerly been, so in sending, out their
cards toward tho close Of the patrlarchs' ca
reer they were compelled 70 send them to per-
sons likely to accept; otherwise the rooms
would have been empty, That necessarily
made the gathering less exclusive than for
mcrly. But in those days social conditions
were different from what they are to-day, In
general, and tho large fortunes represented
In New York to-day were not nearly so
numerous. Homes were. smaller. and tho
way Of life 50 much less elaborate that
few houses had bathrooms: Ten years ago the
number Of ballrooms in New York was very
much smaller than IL is to-day. II was impos-
sible to make the balls given in public places
as exclusive as those that arc given now in tho
great private houses here that Rre supplied
with bathrooms. There AFRO enough Of these
now to insure q certain number OF balls OF this
Kind every winter As the persons who are
asked TO these are the same as would be asked
TO such a gathering as the Assemblies there Is
no reason why the subscription dances should