Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-12-05
A SEASON IN LONDON
WHAT IT COSTS TO PLAY HOSTESS IN
SOCIETY CIRCLES.


able Center OF the World.
The London season In the accepted
meaning OF the term extends from the
opening OF parliament in the middle OF
February to the Elton and Harrow
match In July. For these five months
London Is the fashionable center OF
the world, and houses In the west
end are almost unobtainable. The
cost OF a season I'm town to those who
aspire 70 take their place in society
runs TO a huge sum. and even the
country NJ. L. whose wife desires n
small house on Pont street or Sloane
square finds that $1,000 goes n COM
paratively little way. even though he
limits his entertaining to a few small
dinner parties for his intimate friends
and perhaps one reception
II may be said at once that there is
no limit TO what may be spent by an
ambitious hostess for one evenings
entertainments. and 1t is by no means an
uncommon thing for bail or a large
dinner party O. run well into four fig-
ures. A few years ago the Duchess
OF DevOnshire gave fancy dress ball
at her palatial town house I'm Picca-
dilly at which practically the whole OF
London society was present. headed
by the kim ana queen. This was one
OF the most magnificent events OF it's
kind ever organized. and II was esti-
mated at. the time by those who were
well qualified to judge that IT must
have cost nearer 10000 than $1,000.
This. however. was quite exceptional
and. indeed. is outside tie powers OF
al but very few 10 initiate Without
.spiring 70 these heights lady desir-
ing to live in the VIC I'D Of London
and TO maintain Il reasonably smart
reputation needs n very long pocket
book.
House rent, of course. is one OF the
biggest items. While NAM either own
their town houses or lease them FOR
term of years. most OF those who do
not propose 10 live permanently I'm Lon
con hire a house unfurnished for the
season. This may cost anywhere from
800 to $1,000 for a period of six
months. According 20 one of the lead
Ing house and estate agents in the west
end, 5000 IS about the average paid for
n good house for n season.
This does not. of course. include rates
and taxes. Rates. however. in the
fashionable residential quarters Of Lon
don are very light, owing 10 the fact
that there are practically no poor u be
provided for In these parishes
The next expense q be considered
is in connection with carriages and
motors. Very few OF t',oee who only
spend the season in town bring their
own carriages with them. prefcrring 10
hire from job masters. smart vic
toria and a pair Of horses. with
coachman and footman. cost about >
guineas n week. though much more has
10 be paid Cor special horses. silver
plated harness. etc. \ lrougham is al
most a necessity for evening work. and
this costs at least another > guineas
n week. or one OF the fashionable cleo
tric landaulcts can be hired for .
guineas a week. Thus for three
months visit at least 800 must be as
signed for carriages
1t is the entertaining that Il society
lady is compelled 10 do. however. that
sary for her TO give at least two even
ing receptions during her stay In town.
and for each OF these E250 is not too
much TO set aside 4 string band will
cost anything UP 10 $50 or $40. accord
ing TO the number and quality of mu-
sicianS, while if ono Of the Guards
bands be aspired 10 the sum Just nam
ed will need 10 be doubled. Then there
are singers and other entertainers to
engage. and these may cost anything
from II TO f1O0 each
Supper or light re.reshment. togeth-
er with the necessary wine walters.
helpers. etc, does not leave much
change out Of 800. even with the ut
most economy, and of course, the sum
that could be spent on this item has no
limit At stand up supper given by
Il well known American resident in
London last season $40 Fer head for
each OF the 200 guests present was
paid 10 Il leading contractor, and the
writer is informed that this IS nothing
out of the way and. indeed, is often
exceeded in the course OF a London
season.
with eve s.. hostess. and weekly florist
bills Of g. are by 40 means mcom-
mon. At n reception 4 short time ago
it was estimated that the cut lowers
and plants used Tor thc decoration OF
the rooms must have cost ut the very
least $1,000. These, however included
banks Of rare orchids and other costly
flowers. Ten pounds week may be
assigned for f)werS anu 800 for Il ten
weeks season.
Dinner parties are also very cNpen-
sivc. and here again it Is almost inpos-
sible To assign any definite sum. but
goo over and above the ordinary eX-
penseS OF the household may safely be
put down under this heaC
We now approach a very delicate
question. but one of paramount inter
est TO the fair seX-that Of gowns for
the aspiring society hostess. \ lead
Ing judge the other cay stated I'm court
that $1,000 might u1t ha too much to
give by lady of position. and in such
case might even he necessity, so
that it IS very hard to say what
amount of money may not be spent I'm
this direction.
1t is impossible. of course. for lady
to appear at more than two balls or re
ceptionS in the same frOck I'm the course
OF a season. and. as she will attend at
the very least twenty Of these, she Will
require dozen or fifteen dresses. each
OF which will cost anything up TO a59.