New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
NOVEL CHRISTMAS PARTY.
CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES FROM DICK
ENS-A BAG OF PEGGOTTY's BUTTONS
BOOBY PRIZE.

"A clever young woman in Southern city gave
Dickens Christmas party last year" says What
TO Eat" THE rooms were brilliant with light
and the bright berries Of the Christmas holly
against a background OF the Ivy green which
dickens loved The hostess, q tall brunette beauty
was clad in a handsome costume OF the time OF
Edith Domhey. and very fully represented that
naughty beauty Twenty-Five or more friends as
sisted in receiving, and each represented some
character OF Dickens. There Betsy Trotwood
tall and rigid in stIn gown and tight cap; Dora,
young and blond. with infantile manner: Peg
gotty buxom and tightly compressed into her
gown: Dick Swlveller and the Marchioness; Mrs.
Fizziwlg, one vast substantial SMILE Nine De-
farge. stod and plying her ceaseless knitting:
Joey b. with his swagger, Sly, SIR devesh sly;
Mr.. Micawber. bland and porty Little Nell and
her grandfather and so on with the characters
which Dickens has made living creatures indeed.
Gathered In the reception rooms, the group made
quaint, lovely picture to the entering guest. When
all had arrived cards were distributed. each OF
which was n water color sketch OF Of
Dckenss characters. An English walnut shell
tied with pink ribbon and attached to the corner
OF the card held a quotation from Dickens and
the pertinent remark beneath this nut was. The
Dickens to crack" prize was to be awarded to
the one answering most correctly from which books
the different quotations were taken.
Immediately commenced the interest which at
taches TO such contests. An hour allowed,
and when time was called the answers were re-
corded A duet. What Are the wild Waves Say
Ing Sister, next on the programme, and was
followed by a solo OF the Ivy Green.
Some Of the pathetic scenes from Dombey and
Som read by young woman whose musical
voice and gentle face well intelligent read
ms made this part especially effective. Then the
merry Dick Swlveller and the Marchioness enacted
that well known scene between them. Selections
from Christmas Stories next. The hostess
was clever reader herself and last OF all she
read with much effect extract from
headed The Christmas Carol In Pickwick Papers
Ny song / troll out for Xmas stout.
The hearty the true and the bod
A bumper | drain and with might and main
Give three cheers for this Christmas old!
Wen usher him In with a merry din
That shall gladden. his joyous heart
And well keep him up while there's bite or sup
And in fellowship good wen part.
Then attractive young misses passed around
small glasses OF eggnog, and toasts OF Christmas
with small tables. which were placed here and
there at the convenience OF the guests and followed
with trays OF refreshments
"A delicious oyster and mushroom cream soup
came first. and was followed by cold wild duck. jelly
and celery. A frozen salad succeeded this, II
was made OF tomatoes (canned) cooked a little
strained and when cold mixed with thin mayon-
The ice was a lemon ice frozen In individual
mouds very hard and covered with hot chocolate
sauce, making A most delicious blending Of hot and
cold. sweet and sour. tiny glass OF cordial COM
pleted the repaet.
'The prize for the quotations was next presented