Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08
The SOCIETY GIRL

St&A&M&S&SSS.<8s ~ sS@ SMSsN
COME artist has called the American
~ society girl the eighth wonder OF the
world. He supplemented this. however,
with no statement of the qualities which
to his mind made her eligible to this title.
The predominant characteristics which
mark her as a wonder certainly those
which impress one who knows her init
mately) are her remarkable staying pow
ers, her beauty, her ambitions ana her
shrewdness In these respects the Wash
ington society girl differs little from her
sisters in other cities.
Members Of Washington society are not
the social savages to the extent OF New
Yorks elect. To be sure money has made
its inroads into the inner circle. noticeably
within the past decade. But here. execu-
tives, legislators, diplomats. army and
navy officers and certain persons OF the
city who, by virtue of the age and Drill
liancy of their family traditions, are rec
ognized as elite, have chung tenaciously to
what they rightfully consider their In
herent privilege. namely: the compilation
of the social register of the capital.
The society girl is not the gay butterfly
of fashion a great many might suppose.
To be sure she is Observation-Disclosures
ionable-but she has serious business on
her hands. First and foremost. she must
marry before she has been out too many
seasons. The selection and capture of
husband from none too many pawed-over
eligbles demands the utmost energy and
ingenuity on her part and the part OF
her mamma.
The eight-hour law doesn't apply in the
least to the society girl There Ia little
doubt but what, during the season, she
suffers more physical and mental fatigue
than the average working girl. At any
time from 8 to II she has breakfast i'm
bed and generally attends to her corrc-
spondence while dispatching the former.
An hour later she is up and dressed and
ready to be driven or automobiled TO her
dressmaker's or a womens club Of which
she may be member. II she Is fond or
life in the open she goes for horseback
ride. At tweIve-thirty she hurries home to
dress, to attend a luncheon given by her
set. or to lunch with friends.
Following this she often returns home
again, changes her toilet completely ana
drives off to make calls or to attend a
reception Her time is usually occupied
until Is by these various affairs. when
again she must journey home and dress
for dnner-at home or abroad. In the
evening, following dinner, she may be
taken to the theater or a musicale, or
diplomatic reception. and often on the
heels of this is hurried off to a ball. Sci
dom is the night. during the season, that
she sees her bed before l or o'clock I'm
the morning. 1t requires a deal of nice
discretion to decide whether one shall eat
heartily at afternoon tea or drink spar
ingly at dinner, or vice versa, for the
society girl must take excellent care of
her body If she hopes to bear UP under
the turmoil Of her existence.
The movements Of the society girl are
manifestations of the strenuosity OF
American life.
The girl whose father sits high in the
councils of the nation finds herself called
upon to exercise every ounce of tact and
diplomacy that is hers. One would be
surprised to know to what q degree an
officials position and his power are de
pendent upon the swathe he cuts in So
ciety. They say that more legislative
feats have been accomplished in drawing
rooms than in all the sessions of Congress
put together. The success a man achieves
in scoring socially Is largely a matter or
the finesse exercised by his wife and
daughters in their maneuverings.
Not always can the society girl choose
the friends she might wish to. She has
first to think of her father and consider
his relation to the head of the family.
with whom she is perhaps eager to be-
come intimate. In making up a dinner
list she must exercise care and discretion.
lest one of importance be left out.
Washington society bristles with estab-
lished presidents. and failure TO observe
one means a great deal of embarrassment
and i'll feeling.
Girls in Washington society can be
grouped. There are the executive girls.
a very few diplomatic girls. the con-
gressional girls. army and navy girls,
girls Of old Washington fami les and girls
who by virtue of the social triumphs OF
their families In other cities have entree
to the society of the National capital.
The girl to maintain her popularity in
New York society must go like wildfire
the year round. Washington society has
not reached the point where 1t Keeps up
it's festivities at Newport gait. In con
sequence of this the society girl has a
much fresher appearance than her New
York Newport rival. There is a slight
air of cynicism about her. but of that SUI
percilious expression characteristic Of the
AZ hat <bo fS froa fAtv
girl is satisfied TO be pretty. She dresses
within the bounds of good taste. and the
clamor for notoriety has not permeated
her sphere to the extent that she Graves
gorgeousness in her toilet.