The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-05
NEW YORK SOCIAL NEWS
 House Parties over the Fourth-Pigrims from Abroad
BY pIEDRlcH kNlckERHockER.

Nv York, July l-The glorious Fourth of July Day of racket. Smell of Salt petre and gunpowder. Fumes. Small boys. Casualties fires, but-in our pest society,". fireworks in the evening ana quiet during the day. From Thursday 10 Mondav,S houseparties. Thrre days or holiday. All the country places keeping the nation's birthday. Going out or town for the Fourth is, or course, abso- lutelv necessary. The country clubs, the yacht clubs and all the nearby re- sorts frequented by people who are obliged to be more or less m town dur ing the week are certain 70 De crowded. At most of the country houses the children of the family have plenty of suggestions to make in regard to a suita- ble and patriotic celebration. Young America is very much alike the country over. He wants to fire off crackers, and other mysterious combinations of com bustibles all day, and at night must have a marvellous protechnic display; other wise Independence Day is a failure.
 Tuxedo, which usually winds up its- season with a flourish of trumpets in the way of gayety, would have been ex- tremely dull last week had 1t not been for the saving influence of it's country fair When 1t was planned to hold the fete on the lawns at the club apparently nobody thought of taking the weather into consideration but, finding that the weather could not be ignored, it was de- cided to hold the fair on the verandas. Int e 4l.a fort tallers, peanut vendors. and flower girls, who managed to collect over a thousand dollars. which is to be used for the ben eft of the Sloatsburg Mission. When society goes in for private theatricals, 1t usually takes itself seriously and con- seauently the vaudeville entertainment given every hour during the fete was decided innovation. and on the whole rather a daring one. It is so much easi- CT to amuse ones friends when attempt ing melodrama or even tragedy. All the cottagers and their guests were on hand, and applauded the efforts of their friends on the miniature stage as cheerfully as they parted with their money in the cause of charity.
 For nearly three weeks the cottagers at Lenox have had to resign themselves to frequent showers of rain varied by gusts of east wind The storms inter fered so seriously with the usual pur- suits that a number of coaching and out door parties were postponed Most of the golf fields and tennis courts were flooded and the roads were m so bad a condition that driving was anything but recreation. In spite of the weather the cottagers managed to enjoy them selves within doors, and there were sev- eral entertainments given during the week which were well attended. Mrs Frank K. Sturgis gave a dinner at Clips ton Grange last week, including among her guests Mrs. Governor Kortright, Miss Ida Schenck and Miss Beekman. The reception given by Mrs. Stephen D. Field and Miss Virginia Field drew out nearly all the Stockbridge cottagers and many of the hotel guests The fair for the benefit of the Berkshire Farm Re- treat will be held at Sunny Ridge, Mrs. George w. Folsom's place, next Wednes- day. The retreat which was established in Lee this season by Miss Ethel Fol son. has already been opened and sever