The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06

1t IS a great pity tilnt holiday times
are rot what they used to De pc, IN lne
good oil English days, when Christmas
began In November and continued far
into the New Year
The world would be Il better. happier
world If men and women ceased striving
and working for a while and INDUCED
In playt!me. and in learning to know
and to like each other better.
The elimination OF the Feast OF the
Nativity as observed by the primitive
Christians, comes to-day. on January
sixth formerly known as Twelfth Day.
The quaint old customs OF the Twelfth
Night festival still survive In the bring
ing in of the Twelfth Night cake, crown
ed with holly and holding hidden in Its
recesses q ring, a tiimble, piece OF
money, and two beans-one red and one
white When the cake is cut. much
merriment is excited over as findings.
The one to whom the ring fails Is TO
be married within a year. The thimble
presages spinsterhood, the money wealth.
The young man and the girl from whose
slices the beans are picked out become
the king and queen of the festival. and
have the right to arrange its program.
One always looks to the ending of a
twelvemonth as January lst approaches.
When 1t is past, there is the feeling
that one has passed a corner i'll time, and
instead OIL an CHUNG, tie NlSloH 10 ttiiiSu
toward the beginning.
February 18th viii be Ash Wednesday.
People who like to keep the most senti-
mental day of the year, the anniversary
OF Saint valentine, on February 18th, Will
be somewhat disappointed in the matter
of valentine parties with decorations in
February colors of pink and green. BY
way of compensation, as much gayety
as possible will be crowded into the
weeks Intervening between now and the
beginning of Lent.
January has come in with sunshine and
soft airs. and if its mildness continues
to hold good midwinter will be reached
without snowfall, and the cold season
will be shorn of at least half of its dis
agreeableness.
Following up brilliant beginning, life
Mt the Executive Mansion Will be marked
by Il series of entertainments during the
remainder of the season which the we'll
known reputation Mrs. Swanson has won
as "A graceful and gracious hostess, rem
ters most attractive in prospect.
Miss Julia Joynes and Miss Marcy, OF
Riverton, y. j., are TO be complimented
by Mrs. Henry Taylor. of No. sol West
Grace Street who Is TO be their hostess
tomorrow evening, when a number Of
the debutantes, friends OF Miss Joynes,
are invited to meet Miss Marcy.
The Association for the Preservation Of
lsStIlld +tltl'luLlEtH DSSait VIC tsil ~ I'd
Of January, 1901 according to their Gus
tom, with their annual tea given from
3 To r. NJ. on Friday. in the parlors
of the Virginia Historical Society. II
view % al that 1907 means To the asso
citation. this first entertainment given 10y
it cook on more than usual interest. Thu
rooms were very bright and pretty witt
red and white roses, and the ladies' re
ceiving proved themselves most delight
full as hostesses. All of the patriotic or
ganizations, indeed, are beginning to ge
bus ~ prea2atteA ~. ttg No..
lies before them.
The New Year reception at the Execu
tive Mansion was a beautiful function
and restored the old-tme custom that al
ways rendered January LIST notable da.
of the year in the Mansions history.
Other receptions of the day were wer,
brilliant, and We're largely attended. Th
New Years Eve dance OF the Monda,
german is still being talked about 81
one of the greatest successes that tn
most fashionable organization in Rich
mond has achieved.
The Tuesday german is TO give its Ney
Year dance Tuesday evening in Masonic
Temple and as the debutantes and prct
" young society matrons are sure to b
there, the pleasures of the evening ar
looked forward to with great interest b.
shose who are 10 participate
January 18th. is .she safe set for III
nidwinter dance OF Tho University o
Virginia German. This is social affair i
which Richmond girls and buds are es
recially interested, it being probable tina
quite a large party will go TO the univer
sity to attend It,
There will be the usual number of mid
winter brides and fashionable wedding
intermingled with the receptions, lun
oh a
uled to render the season gay.
Misses Taylor Entertained.
Misses Irene and Jennie Ta!lor .
Baltimore. have been spending the hol
day season with Miss Nettie Garter,
South Laurel Street. and have been 4,
lightfully entertained during their stn
In this city; Among other pleasar
events was box party given by Mi
Margaret Gilchrist In their honor {
Tuesday evening last. to see "Whc
Entghthood Was in Flower" at the Bio
Every Monday Club Program.
The Every Monday Club of Richmor
has just completed a very delight
course of study in Tennysons .'Idylls
the King and Browning's ring and Il
Book
The members are about to begin no
'.Some Studies in Colonial History al
VIII toi4tbue tAissr hiitii tiIc CLOSE OF /
club term. The program is as follows
January Sth--Vtrginia the Cradle of t
Republic; the settlements OF Sir Walt
Raleigh and OF Captain John Smith.
February 4th-Current History; 30
Reviews
February llth-Thc Early Governme
OF virginia. the London Council; t
First Assembly the House of Burgessc
tie Development of Democracy.
February 18th The Social and Religio