The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-23
COST OF PLAYING HOSTESS in LONDON SOCIETY
Needs Long Purse During the Five Months That the
English Metropolis the Fashionable Center of the World.

| The London season in the accepted
meaning Of the term extends from the
opening of parliament ia the middle of
February to the Elton and Harrow
| match In July. For these five months
London Is the fashionable center of
end ere almost understandable. The
cost of season in town to those who
aspire to take their place in society
runs to a huge sum, and even the
country NJ F. whose wife desires a
small house on POnt street OF Sloane
square finds that t1.000 goes a COM
paratively little way, even though he
limits his entertaining to few small
dinner parties for his intimate friends
and perhaps one reception.
1t may be said at once that there is
no limit to what may be spent by an
ambitious hostess for one evenings
entertainment, and it is by no means an
uncommon thing for ball or large
dinner party to run well into four fig
ureS. A few years ago the Duchess
of Devonshire gave a fancy dress ball
at her palatial town house in Picca-
dilly at which practically the whole OF
London society was present, headed
by the king and queen. This was one
of the most magnificent events of its
kind ever organized. and it was esti-
mated at the time by those who were
well qualified to judge that it must
have cost nearer 10000 than $4,000.
This, however, was quite exceptional
and, indeed, is outside the powers of
all but very few to initiate. Without
aspiring to these heights lady desir-
ing to live in the west end Of London
and to maintain a reasonably smart
reputation needs a very long pocket
book.
House rent, OF course, is one of the
biggest items. While many either own
their town houses or lease them for a
term of years, most of those who do
not propose to live permanently in Lon
don hire a house unfinished for the
season. This may cost anywhere from
f4OO to $1,000 for a period of six
months. According to one Of the lead
ing house and estate agents in the west
end, 5000 is about the average paid for
a good house for season.
This does not, OF course. include rates
and taxes. Rates. however, in the
residential quarters of Lon
don are very light, owing to the fact
that there are practically no poor to be
provided for in these parishes.
The next expense to be considered
is in connection with carriages and |
motors. Very few Of those who only |
spend the season in town bring their |
own carriages with them, preferring to |
hire from job masters. A smart vic I
torfa and pair of horses, with /
coachman and footman, cost about 5 /
guineas a week, though much more has +
to be paid for special horses, silver +
plated harness. etc. A brougham is al +
most necessity for evening work, and +
this costs ut least another guineas t
a week. or one OF the fashionable cleo /
trio landaulcts can be hired for 2 /
guine.ts week Thus for a three |
months visit at least 600 must be as +
signed for earrfa seS.
1t is the entertaining that a society
lady is compelled 20 do, however. t;iat T
runs away with tie money. It Is neces-
sary fer her TO give At least two even
ing receptions during her stay in town,
and for each OF these $3.50 Is not too
much 70 set aside. A string band will
cost anything II, To go or $40, accord
ing &c the number and quality of nu-
sicians. while r cee Of rhe Guards
bands be asssirsd TO the sr.In just nam
sd VIII z.eed 20 he doubled. Then there
are singers and other entertainers TO
engage. and these ray cost anything 8
from Il 70 600 each.
supper or light refregamenr, togeth-
Pr with the necessary wine. waters.
aelDers. etc. does not leave much