The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-02

''Do you play bridge in your Rich
mond whist clubs?" Richmond woman
was asked short while since by VS.
itor from Chicago.
mo was the reply; ''our clubs have
all ruled against It,"
rs that so? Why, how queer! we
play bridge constantly. and have such
fun over It, You Richmonders must De
very narrow"
Well even If the Chicago woman was
correct In her estimate, 1t Is well to re-
rnember that there are compensauons
for the narrowness which is born Of con-
servatism and that looks askance at the
Introduction of card fad which has set
society to gambling wherever 1t haG been
countenanced. and has brought the few.
erish atmosphere Of Baden Baden and
Monte Carlo into drawing rooms and
smart set circles, where heretofore such
a thing has been an unknown and an I'm.
recognized element.
Perhaps the dangerous tendencies Of
.'bridge" are more fully acknowledged
and felt now that it is an established In
stitutor in many cities both foreign and
American. than at the FIRST blush of Its
appearance. These tendencies are arous-
ing vigorous protest through various
channels. one of the strongest bits of real
ism in recent art being an artists concep-
English bridge" party.
The quartette of players in the picture
shows three dowagers and young GIRL
newly arrived in London, who is prem
tice hand at gaming. AS she has been a
f7eeceling as we'll as a. f1edgling the play
ing has just come to an end when the
gray dawn Of day creeps into the dis
hcvelled room. where the gamesters have
sat the night through. 1t cast Its pitiless,
rohl We Tho confusion and dis.
array. which greets its coming. The gas
still naring, the discarded cigarette stubs,
the empty glasses. the faded flowers
grooming from their vases In the heavy
air suggest the very opposite OF all that
womanly companionship should stand for
In wholesome sweetness and purity.
Daylight in the card room and on the
card table is pitiful enough. but the
painter has reserved the strength of his
effort to depict daylight on faces and
figures. The result Of such effort is most
unlovely. Where one naturally looks for
the dignity, the repose ard the gentle
ness of advancing years, ono sees In
stead the awakening of the passions OF
greed, cunning and deceit. With tumbled
laces, faces yellowed by their unholy
vigil. eyes swollen and fierce the dow
ayers. with their lean fingers clutching
their doubtful innings, seem the incarna
successful conclusion of their conspiracy.
And the "neecelng"-what OF her? For
the first time in her life, perhaps, the
return Of day is unwelcome. Fear looks
out of her eyes, stained and terrified In
their appeal to the memorable counte-
nances around her, countenances from
which every vestige Of pity is banished
by intense selfishness and lack Of SYM
pathy.
Yao Ii1of ian, &c mi witty hn
which the girl evidently feels. She has
eaten of the Tree Of knowledge and its
fruit is bitter to her lips. Across the
joyousness of her hitherto carefree, in
nocent life has fallen the shadow of her
own wrong doing deepened by the wrong
doing and the injustice of others Never
again will life seem quite the same to
her for her natural trust and confidence
in human nature is gone forever brought
face to face with the Issues which have
grown out OF an association which SEEM
ed In the beginning to promise her such
different results. she does not know what
to do. Her empty purse and her empty
hands, her terror and despair accentuate
the impression growing upon her that she
has assumed heavy responsibilities which
she cannot meet.
The ghastliness OF the picture makes 1t.
repulsive and--yet and yet-the artist has
put truth into his work, truth that lays
.ts hand upon the heart and bids the
passer-hy look and beware.
Richmond Women can bear to be called
/, narrow sometimes. so can Queen Alex
andra, whose name is synonym for the
highest type of femininity. She is throw
Ing the whole weight of her influence
against bridge" which Is no longer to
be permitted among the relnxations OF
the English court.
And where the present head OF the
English court points the moral and leads
the way, It is a safe way for club mem-
bers here and elsewhere to follow in.
Mr.. Dixon's Book.