Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-01-08
nished an object lesson for slim women.

nished an object lesson for slim women.
Miss Kussner dresses her svelte form
to perfection. Her exquisitely simple
frocks reveal every delicate line, max
ing no attempt to build up the petite
figure by frou frou effects. The en-
semble is admirable. After the pro-
gramme she became the center of at
traction. Everybody wanted to hear
the miniature painters own version OF
the academy row. Miss Kussner ex-
planned briefly. Twas all because her
portraits were badly hung, and by rea-
son of this she felt justified in remov-
ing her exhibit we still think we
were cheated of details in this aristo-
cratic controversy.
At intervals new social leader is
thrust upon us. In early autumn Mrs.
Stuyvesant Fish was designated as the
reigning queen. AT the close of the
season, from some unknown quarter,
it is announced that Mrs. Henry Sloane
IS the arbiter of the One Hundred and
Fifty.
| protest. 1t really is an unjust tax
alton upon us lesser lights to leave the
matter unsettled. No sooner do we
do obeisance to one belle than another
beauty is brought on. Tact and diplo-
atives.
macy is such a game of shuttlecock
never win. Both women are equally
endowed, but it's tiresone in the ex-
IRENE to be without a recognized head
to decide such questions as may con-
Germ society. Modesty forbids any sug-
costing Aunt Hetty for the position.
Just the same she does credit TO the
late lamented Mr. McAllister's prerog-
atives.
Perhaps it's discretion rather than
modesty which forbids my interference.
l am not anxious to fall heir to Mrs.
John King Van Rensselaer's boots.
Since Christmas I've heard little else
discussed except her book and (so-cal
led) impudence. There has been a
tempest in the teapot" over Mrs. Vans
New Workers of the Nineteenth Cen
tury" Some of those whose names
have been omitted are naughty and si-
LEM. Others openly avow a contempt
for the undertaking.
1t is Mrs. Vans intention to issue a
volume for six consecutive years deal
ing with 20 families and their offshOots
in each. She claims there are but 120
FIRST families" of New York. The
descendants of these or members by
marriage now number 1000. Neither
Astors or Goulds are mentioned. Mrs.
George Vanderbilt, nee Dresser, is the
only member of this large and wealthy
family on the eligible list.
The pedigree of those figuring in
fashionable society has been a faSci-
mating study for Mrs. Van. 1t has TAX
en- her two years to construct the vol
ume just published. Hereafter if in
doubt as to your identity consult the
new oracle. | shall never forget Mrs.
Vans reception some few years ago,
at which she INTRODUCED her sons to So
ciety. One still alludes to it as John
sic and Harmless debut party"
The book will be to Americans what
Burkes Peerage is to the English. De-
spite Mrs. Vans restrictions, I'm in
cIined to believe the right hand OF fell
lowship will be extended to the Astors,
Vanderbilts and Goulds ad infinitum.
1t was limited before the volume ap
peared that it would work a social ref
ormation and that our visiting lists
would undergo considerable pruning.
little foundation for wholesale alarm
The elect, to whom advance copies were
sent, agree that it is no literary or So
cial bomb. 1t is called the Purple
Book" as the superlative of the Blue"
OF bygone days.
Magnificent enough to grace a kings
banquet was the gown worn to a recent
DINNER dance by a stately young ma
tron of society. 1t was of emerald
green velvet, white satin duchesse and
white mousseline de sole spotted with
chenille. White satin formed a corse-
let over the kerchief drapery of green
velvet upon the shoulders, while the
tunic skirt, with round apron drapery
IN front and square train, was white
satin deliberately hand painted in green,
with foliage design.
Green velvet showed under the satin