The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-07
SOME WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
OUTwARDLY, THE NATIONAL CAPI-
tai A DEVOUT CITY.

tai A DEvOUT CITY.
Many Catholics in the Highest Cir
Gle of Society-The Social wheel
VIII Soon Begin 20 RevoIve-some
of the Visiting Celebrtties-A Lot
of Interesting Commandments.
Questions which Minister WI
Asked the Husband of "a Beautiful
Womnn-Guns with a History.
other Matters of General Interest.
Washington. d. c., April 6.-At least
outwardly. the National Capital is as de-
vout a city as any in the heart of Cath
ollie countries. Holy Week is markedly
observed by all classes of people, so far
as theater-going and the giving of enter
talnments is concerned. In the markets,
the meat stalls have few customers, while
the sellers of fish and vegetables are cor
respondingly prosperous. Even the SHOPS
with their ravishing displays of newly-ar-
rived goods, are comparatively deserted
and all the churches are holding daily and
nightly services On Sunday afternoons
the streets are flied with professions OF
people, walking solemnly two by two from
church to church-making "pilgrimages'
as ordered by the Pope. Last sunday
more than three thousand people in one
procession passed my door, on their way
from st. Patrick's Church 10 st. Aloysis;
and that was only one of many process
sions. in all parts of the city. AS for
formal entertaining, there are absolute
ly no invitations out for an earlier Date
than Easter Monday. Time was-not so
long ago-when only the Roman Cathollc
and Episcops! contingent paid special at
tention to Holy Week; but nowadays It's
rigorous observance has become universal
in fashionable circles including not only
members of all Protestant denominations,
but people of no particular religious be-
lief The latter are compelled, in way,
to refrain from party-giving during the
season of solemity, because rev woulo
attend their entertainments, If oidden'
out of Difference to Dame Fashion, IL not
from conviction. Perhaps unlike any
other city in the United states, large
majority OF the highest circle of society
s Roman Catholic including all the dipio-
matte families and many Southerners; ana
of the remainder, at least, nine-tenths are
Episcopalans.
But with Easter week the social wheel
will again revolve. as merrily as ever uh-
til sudden summer heats, which come 10
this locality without much preliminary
Spring weather-disperse the gay
throng until late Autumn. At least
score of fashionable weddings are an
nounced for next week, and receptions,
dinners and balls galore. Among the lat
ter. one of the largest will be given on
the night of Easter Monday by the wire
of Senator Elkins; and invitations for OF
least dozen other large dancing parties
are out for the first days-or rather
nights-after Lent. Even the meditations
Of Holy Week have been broken in upon
by number of informal dinners, teas
and luucheons among intimate frlends
for the entertainment of several stran-
gers of note Among the visitors is NJ.
CASTOR Deschamps. literary critic of the
Paris journal, LIE Temps" He is guest
of the French ambassador, M. Cambon,
and is naturally receiving all the social
attention the season will permit, at the
other legations. Another visiting cele-
brity is Mr.. Paul du Chaillu, the African
explorer and writer. He has been dined
| by the President and Mrs. Mckinley.
with a few other guests; also by Senator
and Mrs. Hanna, the Letters, and others.
Another interesting visitor Is Edward
| Eggleston the well known historian, VINO
| is spending a few weeks in Washington
while searching the congressional library
for some information which he needs In a
work upon which he Is now engaged. AT
the British embassy Lord and LADY
Pauncefote and their daughters have
been entertaining Miss Hetty Sergeant, a
granddaughter OF the millionaire ex-minis-
ter TO France, Hon. T. j. Coolidge OF
Boston. The young lady, who Is tall,
slender and extremely distinguished In
| appearance, recently returned from sew
eral months abroad with her grand
father, bringing trunks full of beautiful
| clothes. Sad to say, all this "gaud and
| gear" is wasted upon Washington at this
penitentiaI time of year; but no doubt 1t
will fulfill it's pleasant mission later en-,
| at the Fashionable resorts.
Among recent interesting announce
ments is the engagement of Count T.
Tarnowsli, secretary Of the Austria Hun
garian legation, to Princess Cetrortinsky
| of Warsaw, Poland. 1t Is said that the
marriage will be contaminated In the
near future, and when the popular young
secretary returns from his summer vaca-
ton. he will be accompanied by his bride
who will be distinct addition to the dip
lomatic circle. The friends of Minister
WI are again on broad grin, at the
| funny naivete of that inveterate asker
| of questions. At a very swell reception
| of the Twentieth Century Club in Buffalo.
at which the Chinese minister was the
guest of honor, he was introduced to the
belle Of the evening, the beautiful young
wife of well-known business man.
little later he met her husband, upon
whom he Immediately opened a fire of
questions, beginning with II was talk
ing with your wife just now. Are you
perfectly satisfied with her? How old Is
she? That hair is not all her own, is It?
What size shoes does she wear? OF
course. you can't tell about complexion.
because American ladies all paint the
face; but seems to me. judging from her
spine (the ladys dress was cut shape,
very low in the back, hers Is pretty
good!"