The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-06
Society,".

" The annual regatta of the Yacht club at Pass Christian on Monday was, as usual, success, and attended by many citizens and guests from the neighbor- ing resorts along the Gulf coast. A fleet of steam yachts naphtha launches. and sloops from the Southern Yacht club took part and there were many pleasure boats filled with brilliant parties at the races. There are a number of Birmingham peo- pie at Pass Christian and Biloxi.
 The success of the automobile races at the fair grounds the first ever held in Birmingham, seems to favor the holding of permanent races, and the automobilists are enthusiastic over the prospect. While the tours of the Motor club have done great deal toward promoting the in terests of automobileists, no attempt at speed has been made owing to the speed laws, and so far Birmingham has been notable example of the absence of automobile accidents. The races which have come to be an annual event both in Florida and in the east could be made great annual event in Birmingham and add to its cosmopolitan attractions.
 In the event that the annual encamp- ment of the Alabama National Guard is held this year in Birmingham there will be the usual brilliant social side and for that reason the decision is being awaited with much interest.
 The dress parades always attract large crowds, and the officers entertain almost every evening al dinner, camp life afford ing a most delightful and informal gaiety.
 Governors day during an encampment is the gala event of the week. and the review is always imposing. The long line of men, in kaika uniforms passing in review before the governor and his staff, the officers resplendent in gold lace, the martial music. every element of army smartness entering into the scene, makes 1t never lose in interest to even the most casual observer.
 Speaking of automobile races and simi- lar events, Linda Hull Larned, in dis eussing the races, calls attention to their growing popularity In American society:
 'The race in this country has at last become a popular and a fashionable so- cial function as it has long been In Eng land and France. The Grand Prix in France and the Derby in England are affairs of great public importance, to which anyone may go who has the price of admission. These are fashionable also, but not as fashionable as the horse races and the gymkhana races of the private club, to which admission can only be gained through the invitation of a mem- Der. The most exclusively smart Of these club. There all the fashionable and smartest men and women of London as well as foreign visitors, enjoy particularly the magnificent display of feminine ap- parel as well as manly elegance. Except in especial places our races are the 1egit- innate racing of horses, and to the casual observer these are not exclusive. It would seem that any one could attend, at least it looks like a democratic crowd; never theless it is a smart affair for smart peo- pie, although hoi polloi may be hanging upon it's outskirts.
 ''rhere Is no public function in our country in which the dividing line between the sheep and the goats Is more marked. The smartest of smart people are there in smartest of smart clothes, and on the smartest of smart vehicles. We say on rather than in for the highest perch Is none too high for this occasion. Therefore the top seat of coach or motor is the vantage ground for the fortunate few who can afford the luxury. Others go in the ordinary carriage and those less fash ionable take the trolley or walk.
 Formerly 1t was not considered good form for women to take any kind of re- treatments at the races, but now the English fashion of the o'clock cup has crept in and the refreshment rooms at the races are filled with a throng of well-dressed, daintily hammered women, all seeking tea.
 Those who go on coaches and remain on them during the entire afternoon often take their tea baskets with them-another custom borrowed from across the water. These contain alcohol lamps and all the access ories for the tea-drnking repast. It must be admitted that occasionally this tea basket looks mighty like those used for something stronger. and 'tis whispered that Scotch and rye and sparkling waters often masquerade ss tea