The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-14


 \ v a great many people well known in New York society who are seriously considering beirg at the Durbar in India in January. As is known, English soci- ety is focl1ing there. and many Ameri- csns who were most successful in Lon don last spring seem to think the trip would be mere bagatelle and well worth the time. As yet no one of the rich bach elors or married men has openly an- ncunced his intention of getting together a choice coterie of friends and starting off for India, but there are two or three just such trips in contemplation. After ell, when one has done this country in a private car or steam yacht and taken a shooting box in Scotland in order to entertain comfortably, the trip to India does not seem in the least impossible. So Aiken and other Dixie resorts may lose some of their leading spirits for this winters season.
 Such a gathering of enthusiastic card- players as met at Sherrys last Wednes- day would seem to indicate that the in- terest in cards, instead of being on the wane, is rather on the increase. It might have been difficult to find during the first week of December a hundred women who were willing to give up an entire after nocn to cards. Among the guests were Mrs. Hitchcock, Mrs William Barclay Parsons, Mrs E. H. Hartman, Mrs. J. J. Wysong, Mrs. Berry man, Mrs. H. Mo- Kay Two mbly, Mrs. Dwight Collier, Mrs. stephen Peabody and Miss Remsen. The prizes were unusually handsome and the game was fast and furious.
 No less than five bridge clubs have al- ready been started, and three for seven- handed euchre. These and kindred games are evidently to be the fashion again this season, except for debutantes ana their mammas, for the debutantes of 1902-190S are nearly so skilled in play as were the debutantes of last winter or as the younger set will be who come next year, among whom are said to be some of the best players in New York.
 
 There is much pleasurable anticipation in the announcement that Miss Callen- der and Miss De Forest are to be at home on Sunday afternoons during the first three months of the year. Owing to being in mourning last winter they were seen by few except their intimate circle of friends. Music will be an added at traction 10 these gatherings, which are to be absolutely informal. MT. Victor Harris is to have the direction of the music and there will be heard some of the best artists now in this country. Music Is bound to be the reigning feature of the season apart from the opera, which will last into March.
 
 The all important ball of the week will be the Assembly, which will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria on Thursday night, and will serve to bring out the seasons rosebuds en rnasse. Unless everything goes wrong tke ball will be a brilliant one. and as there will be only one As- sembly tEis winter 1t will be a very large affair.
 Special floral decors tions are to be placed in the grand tall room and along the corridors leading to it. The guests will be received in the small ante-room just outside of the entrance to the ball room. As usual the cotillon will be danced after supper. Mir Elisha Dyer, Jr., leading. He will probably have MT. Henry s. Lehr to assist him.
 MT. and Mrs. Marion Story gave a hunt breakfast last week at their place at Port Chester; MT. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid have not closed their house at Cphir Farm. Down at Hemstead there is just as much going on and just as many people in their own houses as ever. while Mrs. Ogden Mills will not it is said, close her house until after the holidays Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke Jones' party have re- turned to New York, but have not appar- ently settled down to the serious business of the winter and are really only here en passant to Palm Beach and Aiken when the winter season opens there
 
 The filst Junior Cotillon was an ex- ceedingly gay affair, with far more go and snap to 1t than is usual at dance where there is a mixture Of debutantes and girls who have been out two or three seasons. The first Friday cotillon was also a very jolly affair, and it Is a ques- tion whether or not there will be as much real gayety at the Assembly. to which all the debutantes are looking forward with fear and trembling. It induces fear be- carse If not engaged for the cotillon and supper the girls are expected to go home, and 1t has not been settled which IS the most trying or the wisest thing to do-to wait until supper In hopes of get ting a partner, or to leave early and have everybody say that you had none. Of the debutantts not one has been chosen as yet as the leading belle, although there are plenty of pretty girls. However when no less than six large receptions are giv- en in one day for the debutantes, as was the case recently, it Is a little difficult to decide which young woman is the most attractive.
 The mere prominent debutantes of the past week were Miss Roosevelt, the daughter of MT. and Mrs. Emlen Roose- velt and Miss Gertrude Greene, the daughter of General and Mrs. Francis Vinton Greene, who. came out on Wednesday; Miss Georgette Collier, the