Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10
Fashionable Women
Join Business Glasses

7, IS the feeling of something not worth
while. the taste of lnsuficiency, perhaps.
that turns the thoughts of society women
to Joining classes for the seasoning to a
life of gayety.
This winter classes are much in vogue
and they are of all sorts and kinds. The
most fastidious may find through them an
outlet for literary digressions, practical
methods, musical inspirations and even
dramatic talents.
To be hustlingly useful, however, seems
to be this winters mania. Many or the
smartest women in the town have joined
a class In bookkeeping. The system
taught in such a class Is naturally adapted
to the requirements of bookkeeping IN
large up-to-date establishments In sucn
houses there is a constant outpourlng Oh
money, and the household purse Is relin-
bursed from varied and many investments.
Frequently in New York II Is the woman
rather than the man Of the house VINO at
tends TO these investments. To make the
outgoing and the incoming money balance,
or, in other words, TO keep the DaIauce
steady between debit and credit, IS the
pith OF the bookkeeping system taught IN
this winters fashionable class. 1t is so
sImplified as to make the man of down
town knowledge smile, perhaps, but for
the women heads or HOUSEHOLDS II IS aue-
uuate and necessary.
At one months end the income and outgo
of money have quite passed beyond
housekeeper's province or even private
secretary's. 1t is then that the books are
handled, balanced and scanned by the very
woman perhaps who is tucking away parts
in the bookkeeping class this winter.
Other occasions when women need such
knowledge is when they take charge of the
funds for charitable organizations. Promi-
nent men usually are asked to audit such
accounts, and II becomes q matter of pride
then to have them IN excellent condition
4c.o htfr of mt srrl n
ter concerning the speaking of Italian, and
a number of classes have been formed Tor
speaking and reading in that tongue II
has become a most smart accomplishment
TO be able TO declaim In Italian, as for
merry was so fashionable in French. De-
butantes especially are called upon to de-
claim after large dinners, and although
many present may not understand WORD
OF such Rotations u mannerism, series
OF gestures invariably accompanies the de-
claiming and produces peculiar faseina-
ton.
It was the Comtesse Rene du Temple &c
Rougement, nee Miss Edith Clapp. who
first made decaiming fashionable In New
York and Newport; but should she now
return to this country she would find the
accomplishment, this winter at least pur-
sued almost altogether In Italian A few
OF the popular debutantes devote two and
three hours day to their classes and the
study of Italian recitation Undoubtedly
the oldest literary class in the city Is the
''Causerie du Lundi, about which little is
ever written or heard. 1t Is confined to
tho true aristocracy of the city: to women
who can read papers on Alexander HamiI-
ton and Washington, Lafayette or old lace
and bring ancient evidence In the form of
family letters and collarettes to prove
the truth of their arguments. No teacher
reigns over this class. 1t is one where the
ladies themselves, guided by generations
OF Innate good taste, have everything their
own way. A hint has been given, how
ever. that this winter this class will con-
fine Itself to papers on famous love stories
and things romantic, showing thereby that
spirit still lives in New York combating
the terse realism OF the age
The most amusing, perhaps, of the win
ters classes Is one where hat trimming is
taught. The girls and women who be-
long to this class take their own mate
riais and under the guidance of an ex-