The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-25
SUNDAY N
WASHINGTON
Religious Spirit Gives Way to
Manipulating.
WHAT RICH PEOPLE DO
Bridge-Whist a Popular Sab
bath Evening Pleasure.

day of merry making.
Until four or five years ago the sacred
ness Of the day was as carefully observed
in the capital as in any village commun-
fly in the United States. People left
their homees only to go to church There
We're no social diversions.
is vastly different now.
Senator Hanna gives breakfast at his
home on Sunday.
Senator Hale gives frequent break
fasts at the Country Club on Sunday.
The Danish Minister gives Sunday din
ners.
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald De Koven make
Sunday their day at home.
Mrs Robert R. Hit entertains on Sun
day evenings.
The Countess Sassin. receives at the
Russian Legation on Sunday afternoon
and evening.
Mrs William r. Merriam, Mrs Thomas
F Walsh, Mrs Thomas Nelson Page,
Mrs Francis Loring, Mrs. Van Rensse-
iaer Cruger, Mrs. Mary c. Audenreid
and ever so many more who are in the
most exclusive set entertain informally
on Sunday
One prominent American family de-
votes Sunday evenings 20 briGge-whist
parties.
AT the Country Club it is the gaest day
OF the week. The clubhouse is crowded
with people. Gay automobile and coach
particles are constantly stopping there.
and there is a deal of riding and driving.
The links are likely to be crowded by
players all day long.
There has even been informal dancing
at the Country Club on Sunday even
ing.
The change has come about rather
gradually, and the responsibility is
placed upon the diplomatic set. 1t is
generally agreed that Nine. Romero, the
wife of the Mexican Minister began it.
For years IL was her custom to hold
family reunion of the Latin Americans
on, Sunday. afternoon. Nearly all the
representatives from South and Central
America would gather at the home OF
the Mexican Minister for a quiet after
noon and evening. and those American
officials who were most closely asso-
ciated with them would drop in to chat
or renew old acquaintances.
These affairs were conducted very
quietly and very decorously, with nice
regard for the proprieties and the pre-
JUDGES OF the religious folk. Carriages
never blocked the street and indeed the
gatherings were practically known only
20 those who took part in them them.
Nine Romero continued these Sunday
afternoons until her death, and there
never was the slightest criticism of them.
There was break OF a year or two
and then Hme. Margerie. of the French
Embassy. began the custom of receiving
her intimate friends on Sunday afternoon,
and in a very short time her tea parties
became very popular. AS a rule one
never heard anytime but French spoken
at these afternoons, and there was an
evident intent TO avoid criticism from
those who. believe in the strict observ-
ance Of the sabbath
To themovement started by Nine. Rom
ero and Nine. de Margerie a vigorous
recent impetus has been given by the
Countess Marguerite Cassni. niece of the
Russian Ambassador. She is very young,
very pretty very clever and there is no
limit TO her courag e.
She announced series of o. clock
teas on Sunday. accompanied with an
intimation that they would bee smart
affairs. That of course meant that the
women were expected to wear fine gowns
and consequently that they must come
in carriages:
There was criticism. The fascinating
Countess met 1t smilinsly. She naively
suggested that the Embassy was Rus
sian sol and she did not think that for
eigners should be compelled to relinquish
their lifelong habits because they hap
peaed to be assigned to Washington.
Fashionable Washington wanted 10 at
tend the teas of the Countess Cassini.
and those who had been bored by what
they called the dullness of the Sabbath
rejoiced Criticism died out and the
Countess ssinis Sunday afternoons
fourished. She followed them with din
ners to twelve and fourteen people, and
there was a great demand for invita-
lions.
Then American families in the smart
get began 10 emulate her example. but
very discreetly They didn't receive
On Sunday afternoons. but teir friends
could usually find them at home, and
lhey gave dinners. purely informal
ones. on Sunday evening
Guests were asked verbally or by tele-
phone. and reports Of the dinners were
never permitted 10 appear in the news
papers. But nevertheless the prepara-
tions for these Dinners and the subse-
ouent entertainment of the guests were
most elaborate. far outdcing the Sunday
functions OF the foreigners.
Then one bold countess introduced
bridge-whist after Sunday evening din
ner, and although some OF her guests
were fearful. the innovation became pop
ular. II may be remarked. by way Of
pasenthesis. that bridge-whist has never
been in such high favor before as 1t has
been this winter.
The fact that washingtons gay set
was accustomed TO play cards after Sun
day evening entertainments becamz
known through the reception given this
season to Nine. Duse by the Italian AM
hasSador. The reception was originally
fixed for Wednesday. 1t was postponed |
until Friday. and finally took place on |
Sunday afternoon. More than six hun |
dred guests. including some of the most |
prominent officials in Washington, at |
teaded the affair. and hridge-whist was |
one OF the chief diversions.
The fashionable folk who had been |
making merry on Sunday waited appre- |
hensively for criticism and Genunciation. |
which they seemed 10 think tey deserved. /
However. neither newspapers nor preah- |
ers commented upon the entertainment |
The smart set drew a long breath Of |
relief and prepared 10 plunge.
1t plunged with enthusiasm. 1t issued |