The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-05
FOR FEMININE READERS
THE LITERARY SALON NOT AN UN-
KNOWN THING IN THESE DAYS.
Suggestions as to Spring Fashions
Overdressed Women Pleasant
Evenings for Young People.

No history of New York would be COM
plete without a knowledge of the salons of
Mrs. Schuyler, her sister. Mary Hamilton
Morris. Mrs j. j. Aston, Mrs. Hamilton
Fish, Mrs. Barlow and Mrs. Belmont, says
Mrs. Carina b. Eaglesfield in Woman S
Home Companion for February. In New
York Mrs Custer attracts with her gracious
personality and unfailing tact all the liter
airy people. Colonel Ingersolfs Sunday even
ings bring together perhaps the most cos
,mopolitan elements; politicians, public men,
the army ana navy, very noticeable actors
and musicians, find delightful and most in
formal entertainment at the genial coionePs,
and his wife and daughters assist him adj
mirably. In Boston Mrs. j. II. Field main
tains unbroken the continuity Of literary life
which was begun years ago by her hus-
band. 1t is not often that a man usurps
this peculiarly feminine privilege, but in
Louisville Mr.. Douglass Shirley till recent
ly held a most charming salon, where all
the notables met. The misconceptions in
New York Baltimore and Boston used to be
popular social events but music seems to
have taken the place of painting as means
of social entertainment. Those who are thor
oughly conversant with the life of New
York say that there are a hundred differ
ent societies where there used only to be
one. Chicago is like New York in having
many literary centers, and among the most
interesting ones must be mentioned the
charming hospitality of Mrs. Henrotin, Mrs.
Ford. and the small and distinguished Tues
days of Mrs. Ward. In the smaller cities
one notable woman usually holds day at
which the best-known women and occasion
oil
has more of the cosmopolitan character than
that held by Mrs. May Wright Sewall, in
indianapolis. Every one feels it a privilege
to attend Mrs. Sewalrs Wednesday recep-
tions, where once a month the lecturer en-
gagged by the Contemporary Club is enter
tanned, and where are met all the distin-
guished visitors to the city. Every question
of the day is discussed in the broadcast and
most generous manner; the atmosphere of
her salon is thoroughly American; it has
become the intellectual clearing house for
the best minds of the city, and the grace
tul tact and ready wit of the hostess make
each guest feel that he is at his best.
The society of any city is immeasurably
broadened and cultured by such Il salon.
indianapolis has profited immensely by it,
and some such center could easily be
formed in every town, if the best spirit of
the place We're embodied in it. The criticism
of prOvincialism could not then be brought
against the society of our smaller cities,
for within its own province it would be as
S6HulUe as ueep ana DIS original as IN a
larger place. Thinkers need a congenial at
mosphere quite as much as do artists and
musicians, and such a salon would most ade-
quately provide one. Young and timid
artists and writer's would be helped by the
candid appreciation of such a social leader
as Mrs. Sewall, and the old and experienced
ones would find their wits sharpened and
their minds invigorated by the bold and bril-
liant discussions. The reticent thinker
would be encouraged to talk and would find
a new pleasure in exchanging ideas with
others of his own intellectual caliber. The
best things in American wit and humor
would be brought out III such at
mosphere, and the art of conversation would
be fostered and advanced as il could not be
through any other method Of cultivation
Bright men and women who are hiding their
light under a bushel through lack of oppor-
tunity to disseminate their stored-up reful-
gence would, by a contact of wits, send
forth sparks enough to illuminate a whole
evening, and the effect OH their minds and
hearts would be wholesome and lasting. AL
together, the influence of such gatherings
on those participating in them would be in
high degre salutary, and the ultimate result
would be a raising of the social standard.