The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-31

New York, December Especial Cor
respondencc of The Post.)--Since London
set the fashion of receiving ones guests
upon the stairway landing, New York,
whose stairs are built as rule. Upon
a less generous pattern, has been more
or less puzzled.
In old time houses the reception rooms
are usually on the first floor, and even IL
they are not, the stairway is lnog and
straight unbroken by landings. Unwill-
ing to refuse obedience to fad, some
hostesses living in houses of this descrip-
tion have been receiving of late at the
head of the stairs But there is a certain
awkwardness about this expedent which
will cause 1t to be ridicued out OF pos
sibility.
| In the modern city house the entrance
is almost invariably on the ground floor,
and the guest is indicted into hall oc-
cupyng, in many cases, the entire width
of the house and pretty nearly its entire
length, the magnificent stairway being
quite at the rear. The second floor of
such an establis hment is devoted to the
ball room, music room, Conservatives and
parlors. the living rooms Of the family
being on the third floor. These living
rooms and the ball room are reached by
means of daintily upholstered ele-
vator.
Right here, when entertainments are in
progress, appears a difficulty. In the
words of a hostess whose fairy palace was
thrown open for the first time during Holt
day week:
IF stand on the stairway | shall never
see half my guests. for they take the
elevator. Now. ought l to be at the foot
of the life or at the top?"
At the top has been the general deci-
sion, and in spite of London, guests are
received much as they were last winter,
| in the parlors that admit to the ball
| room.
| That other London custom according
| to which guest goes first to the dining
room to partake of champagne and sup
per and then--or never-seeks his hostess
has not yet been transpanted. American
social life is still little more courteous
than that of the English metropolis.
The dances of holiday week have af-
forded chance for the display of many
beautiful costumes. and have brought to
! light at least one necessity:
In these days of the multiplication of
jewels more than one matron has felt
the need of more secure fastening for
her tiara To see circle Of gems slip
ping in rakish fashion from side to side,
now perching over one ear and now over
the other, and occasionally hopping into
! the air in the llveler movements of the
dance is spectacle that of late has eX-
posed stately ladies TO the giggling ridi-
Guile of irreyerent youngsters.
| Unless one has abundant locks or very
secure pins, it needs but the change of a
word TO make it still sadly true that, "un-
easy lies tho head that wears a crown"
Evening dress both for debutantes and
matrons is more regular this winter than
last. That is to say ii is the fashion to
have two sleeves alike and not to attempt
clownish contrasts between the sides of
ones bodice. The result is greater dig
nifty and elegance Of dress, with now and
then slight sacrifice of picturesque
ness.
~
A wilderness of transparent stuffs Is
in vogue. especially for the young girls
whom December introduced into society.
Miss Mary Croker, who, as BELTS a null
-millionairess. Is credited with wearing
an evening dress but twice before discard
ing it, has appeared in a lovely gown of