New-York tribune., 1908-02-25
NEW YORK SOCIETY.

TabIeaux vivans as a general rule fall far short
of the masterpieces which they picture in life.
but the tabeauS presented yesterday afternoon ana
evening on tho stage in the big ballroom of the
Plaza in connection with entertainment for
charity were in the opinion of all those who had
the privilege of gazing upon them inmeasurably
superior. Thus, according to general consent. Sir
Joshua Reynolds's Three Graces' never appeared
half attractive his famous canvas when
portrayed yesterday by Mrs. John Jacob Astor. Mrs
Henry Rogers Winthrop and Mrs. Edward r.
Thomas and Engand's greatest admiral, Lord Nell
son. would have had still greater excuse for his in
fatuation for Emma Lady Hamilton. if she had
really resembed Mrs. John Jacob Astor. who fig
ured Romneys portrait of the somewhat notori-
British Ambassadress at Naples Another of
Romney's masterpieces, entitled Nature" was
pictured by Mrs. Frederic o. Beach. and Miss Elsie
Rowland LIE Bruins Girl with a Muff.'
Davids Mime Recamier," which has been so
frequently given in tableau by women without the
slightest pretensions to the classic beauty for
which the fair Parsienne in question enjoyed such
worldwide celebrity, was for once in the way
fttingly portrayed by Mrs. William Payne Thomp-
son. and Mrs Benjamin Guinness. all covered with
gems of barbaric magnifcence. superb in her
role of "Semiramis.' Miss Bryce appeared as
Burne-Jones's Hope" Mrs. James B. Eustis as
"Salammbo," while owing delay in the arrival
of Miss Edith Deacon from Canada. her place as
Sargent's "Carmencitia'' taken by Mrs. w X
Vanderbilt jr.
These tableaus were followed by others repre-
senting poses of different periods of dancing The
frs, picture showed a Greek dance. in which Mrs
Frederic O. Beach, Mrs. James 3. Eustis Miss
Bryce and Miss Moran were seen picturesquey at
tired classic draperies Of the ancient Athens
They succeeded by Miss Nora Langhorne In
the garb of the court of Versailles In the davs of
Queen Marie Antoinette. posing if engaged il,
the dancing of a ninuet. Then Nahan Franko's
orchestra, which had been playing since the be-
ginning of the entertainment. struck I'D a Spanish
dance. to the strains OF which Mrs. Payne Whitney
Mrs. Ernest Iselin, Miss Natalie Howland and Mrs
William K. Vanderbilt. jr posed if in the midst
of fandango. though without moving In fact
the first actual dancing of the entire entertain
ment was furnished by Mrs. Howard Cushing. who
very gracefully gave dance that though nornt-
naly Oriental, was essentially European, not to
say American, In character.
After brief intermisson. during which tho ~,
chestra continued to discourse agreeable r,usio
nobody leaving the seats. the curtains of tho
stage were again pulled aside, Offering to view the
first of the three tableaus of the pretty panton,ia
entitled LIE Reveillon de Pierrette' II sbows5
the atelier studio of Pierrot Pterrette repra
serted by Mrs. Waldorf Astor arrayed in the s.rn
of a midinette. or Paris workgrI, is sorrovfnl,v
sewing the sounds OF Mardi Gras zayeties which
reach her through the window emphasizing the
sense of the hardships of her own life Piarro,
enters after long day spent in vain efforts .,
sell any of his pictures. and Pierrette reaIizin~
that she must abandon all hope of going 10 ,ha
masked ball. of dancing and OF a good sumner
afterward. overwhems him with reproaches "
dig Hoyt in the role of Pierrot. endeavors in vain
u calm her anger and TO explain Losing her baa =
completely. she begins TO wreck the studio pier
rot, endeavoring TO restrain her. throws her ,e
cldentally TO the floor. and them frightened b his
act of brutality and by the sobs of Pierrette hara
her pardon. and peace is restored Together tbav
sit down to a supper of bread and cheese an,
water. making believe that the latter Is cba,,-
pagne and that the bread and cheese are trun.a
pheasant, etc- During the supper Pierrot enaea,-
ors in vain to sketch Pierrette in various pretty
poses but without satisfying himself. and finally.
out, falls asleep ct table. On seeipg th,.
Pierrette quietly extnsuishes the light leans her
head Pierrots shoulder and falls asleep as x.su
The second tahleau represents Pierrot's dream,
With Pierrette he Is ehtering restaurant where
everybody is in fancy dress and where the MI
most gayety reigns. The jewellers include Miss
Corneha Bryce, Mrs. James B, Eustis Miss Moran
Mrs Frederic o. Beach, Mrs. Henry Rogers Win
throp. Mrs. Howard Gushing. Mrs. Payne Wh,tr