The sun., 1901-11-26
1--we TOPICS ABOUT TOWN.

Walter Damrosch made his first appear
ance In San Francisco the other night in
quite a new capacity. He was sitting in
q box Mt the performance of "Lc Nozze
di Figaro when the musician who was
TO have played the drum was taken III and
had TO leave the theatre. 80,
In despair, Sgnor Sepilli, who vas COLI
Quoting, sent for Mr. Damrosch TO ask
II he knew where a substitute could he
found MIR. Damrosch said that he did
and promised TO have man In the orches-
tro before the third oct began.
When the conductor reached his dssk
his first look was toward the drummer's Q
chair In IL was seated Mr. Damrosch
and he remained there until the cad Of
the opera. playing the drum part In the
score and affording great amusement 10
his friends in the boxes.
The colds that New Yorhors are eccus-
toned 20 suffer from during the social
season are not always to be traced to their
real sources, but In some cases that is pos
sible. One recent fGshion is accused by
woman who has suffered from Its Effects
OF causing more colds than any other 30
cial habit.
For the last few years II has been Gus
tomary " cool the room in which dinner
IL served almost TO freezing point before
the guests onter. The habit is based on
the tuQutDntfNs Nittl WihcH RIoW
warm after a dozen or more persons are
seated in them. In order to prevent the
discomfort that comes from this result.
the windows are opened In the coldest
wee ther until the minute before the guests
enter.
Then they are closed. But women In
iow-necked gowns and men in evening
dress have an opportunity TO get n cold
that will last them month or two before
the room Il sufficiently heated. And in
spite OF this dangerous precaution, II grows
Just as warm later as II IL had not been
cooled.
Two New York architects are now build
ing near Havana d modern palace for Mrs.
Rosalie Abru, tho wealthy Cuban widow
whose troubles since she came to New York
to live have from time to time been made
public.
Into this house, which stands on hill
In the suburbs Of Havana, the architects
have been told to put everything that may
contribute to it's comfort and beauty,
whatever the cost may be, 30 II will represent
In Cuba for the first time what the Americans
enjoy in the way Of homes when no ex-
pense ~ spared to make them luxurious.
Mrs. Abru IL one Of the richest women in
Cuba, and in Havana, where she spends
every winter, her home is the scene OF
many OF the most brilliant social gather
ings that the city anOruH. lhere most
OF the conspicuous Americans who went
TO Cuba have been entertained since the
close Of the war.
Andrew Carnegie IL not 10 have the pleas
ure OF hearing the special performance
of Elijah arranged for his pleasure 80
soon as he had expected to- The day
after the first performance the millionaire
met Frank Damrosch on the street and
expressed his regret at having missed
the oratorio Mr.. Damrosch suggested
that II might be done again.
MIR Carnegie said he would gladly pay
the expenses of a repetition and Mr.. Dam
roach and he decided on Dec. rs the best
date The members Of the Choral Union
were 10 be invited 20 attend and 30 were
the teachers OF the public schools. With
the exception Of Mime Lehman, who IL
10 20 West next month, the singers were
TO be the same that appeared before.
II WAS not until all these arrangements
had been made that Mr.. Carnegie dis
covered that the date selected was impos-
sihle for him. So the concert will not he
given at the time announced. but at later
date which will enable Mr.. Carnegie 10
attend and hear his favorite oratorio.