The Washington herald., 1908-01-12
wives conceited except yourself argues an
advanced stage of dyspepsia? See doc

Answer-An essay could be written on
the subject you present. but there is no
space Ia this column for homilies The
Arbiter has radical views as to the Gus
tom which has been so much abused. and
he would say emphatically to ali those
who deck themselves out with natural
blooms Don't" 1t would be hard to
point out in a woman's toilet anything
ugiier than big excresence of faded vio-
lets at her Waistiine or just above IT,
which destroys the lines of the figure and
onends the nostrils Of those who come
near her. for flowers fade quickly from
the warmth OF q human body, and violets
once faded their perfume is gone forever.
Years ago il was the fashion for women
to carry to the balls and cotiliions as
many bouquets-and they were huge af-
fairs-as were sent them on or near the
date Of the entertainment, which repre-
sented the scalps Cf their adorers. IL
would have been siIlpler. less laborious.
more picturesque, and much more inter
esting If they had strung about them
the portraits of the giveTs. The Arbiter
remembers meeting Mrs. Horace Helyar,
now Lady Seville, at a reception at the
home Of the then Secretary OF State with
no less than eight great bouquets. She
could net. of course. carry them all her
self, as they represented several pounds
In weight but they were borne by the
admirers who followed in her train. So
grotesque was this custom that il is
strange 1t escaped being caricatured.
8 Question-H you have any influence with Con
gress, VIII you not persuade that august body TO
appoint state musician! do not mean the leader
OF hand but some one who viii look 10 it that
the piano at the White House is kept in good con
diron for those musicians who compelled 10 use
It, Katharine Goods0n Mrs. Hintonj is a wonder
iul pianist the foremost, m nay poor opinion in the
world. and how she got any music ont 81 or ap
preached doing herself justice the instrument She
used at the White House a week ago ! am al a loss
70 understand. ] have heard her play IL Germany
tby the way you perhaps. know that she has played
before Emperor William, who Is an accomplished
musician himself and was delighted with herr and
Vienna, and / must say that, considering the cir
clnstances she acquitted herself wonderfully well
and actually PLAYED with great verVe but not half
tbs people who heard her knew anything Of her rep
utation, hence were not particularly impressed
Would u not be : good idea IN which 10 appeal 20
an unAprreciative pJbc 20 label the artists, who
have not been thoroughly advertised by some eocen
uiclty I'm some such Way as this. Played before
The German Emperor. the Car Of Russia, the I'm
peror Of Austria Hungary" and so On down the iRi
/ m really serious.
Answer: You are quite right. When a
great artist plays, no matter where. a
piano should be provided to his or her
liking. The White House piano is doubt
less an excellent instrument. but that II
was not exactly fitted for Mrs Hinton
work is aJtested by the fact that a num-
ber OF accomplished musicians have
spoken OF il. No one would notice its in
adequacy, however save person thor
Oughly versed In technique. Your Wit is
enjoyable: IL is true. however that a GER
tain class in America are still suffering
from a disease known as "tuft-hunting.
which not only includes the hunt of the
'tuft, but a raptuOus acceptance OF
everything stamped with royal favor.
When Queen Alexandra first took to
wearing black velvet band around her
throat half the feminine necks In America
were so adorned; when her royal lord hurt
ms knee, Fifth avenue was filled with
limpers and the fashion even extended 10
our own bOulevards. now calIow youths
and those not so callow wears corsets on
their mustaches. that they may pointl
upward Ia Emperor Of Germany. But il
Is q disease which those afflicted with
will recover from along with other
childish disorders.
g. Question: want 10 ask you a question which
perhaps IS not in F0ur realm, but don't know how
20 get Il answered In any other part Gf the raper
50 am troubling yOJ about IL. Why does the R9s-
ton Symphony Orchestra, which has been coming
here for years, submit 90 playing surrounded bY
such sbomin8he stage settings as they get AZ the
National: lt Is surely anything but inspiring even
though most of the men in the orchestra are Ger
man. 10 takes great deal Of pleasure cut Of the
performance. even for a music lover VIII you not
say something about thisl VERY truly yours
FAITHFUL READER
Dear Faithful Reader''-How good that
sounds to a scribe you will never know
unless you have written yourself-I fear
you are but a dlletante. Come now. II
your soul were filled with music would
you notice the stage setting? Do you
suppose the dear Muck'-that is what I
heard a lady call him the other day
knows or cares whether the stage ls hung
with Gobelin tapestries or surrounded bv
white-washed walls? Close your ewes.
listen TO the music. and let the stage
alone. Seriously, the stage settings for the |
symphony are bad beyond compare, no
matter who is responsible. They are so
ugly and so meaningless that the ticket /
holders should rise in their might-and I
they are mighty this year since every
concert has been crOwded-and demand /
that they be changed.
Sir; VIII you say word to those who attend mnsi-
Gales and chatter through the whole performance !
10 Is incredible that the members OF the so-ealIed
smart set" should not show better hreesiins Such
lack Of p0litene5s would o. impossible anywhere
eXcapt the United States. At the White House
musicale at which Mrs Hinton played she waited |
and waited for the caCkling' to cease-she waited |
7nnT rfafI .N e.TI
would stop in a moment. But Il didn't stop even |
after she began, and her wonderful performance was
injured by the occasional whispered comments the /
rustling Of dresses and futter Of fans In Berlin
the artist would have left his piano and the house IN
high dudgeon.
Answer-The Hinton episode was most
regrettable. and that distinguished artistic |
Will, The Arbiter fears, carry away a poor |
opinion Of the musical education Of Wash |
ington society. But what can one expect |
from a miscellaneous gathering Of society |
people some of whom cannot distinguish |
one note from another, and whose inter- |
est in music is mere affectation? If the |
presence of the President. the environ |
ment OF the White House. and the plav- |
ing Of famous performer cannot compel |
the silence of an Invited company, where /
then, can II be expected? The President /
is a thunderer on the rostrum. but he is /
mild and gracious in his own house. Yet
one Of his guests at the Hinton musicale |
was heard to say: Il expect every mo- 1
ment to see the President rise in his /
wrath and demand silence" IT is useless |
to compare Washington or any other |
American city with Berlin, but it is hoped |
that the future will improve conditions.
Apropos of the lack of appreciation Of /
music in this country. The Arbiter han /
pened TO be present at a performance. OF /
Lohengrin' at the Metropolitan Opera |
House. In front OF him sat two young |
lovers, who were evidently much bored. |
Finally when the curtain went up after
an intermission, the lights lowered. and /
the music began. the girl snuppIed IN 70 |