The Washington herald., 1909-03-21

Note-The Arbiter will be glad 70
answer any question OF a social na-
ture that may be submitted. Such
questions should be addressed 10 The
Arbiter, care The Washington Herald
Here We are at mi-Careme, but because
II the inauguration and the festivities
hat preceded and followed il, this Lent
mas been so gay that 1t has hardly SEEM
ID a season of fasting and prayer, and
from now on until Holy Week there viii
5e little let-up in the Lenten festivities.
since several Of the members OF the Cabi-
net are already installed in their own
homes, and win hold for the present, at
east, regular reception days.
An informality. however. has marked
ne Lenten functions that is extremely
lgreeable and the newcomers 70 town
lave had an opportunity to become ac-
iuainted with each other unhampered by
The festivities of the regular season. Few
arge dinner parties have been given. and
he small ones have been marked with
simplicity and unostentation. as have the
afternoon teas. and, indeed. there is no
-eason 10 banish such harmless enter
ailments from Lent. which should be
deserved very much as Sunday is OBJ
served, and not regarded as a time for
Mourning. but for rest. relaxation, and
'ecreation. as in foreign countries.
Many inquiries come to The Arbiter
skiing for suggestions regarding Lenten
Entertainments. and one correspondent
writes 10 say that she does not mind
,laying bridge whist in Lent. but she
.raws the line at dancing and wants The
NrbiteT's opinion as whether or not this
s. the right stand 70 take The distinc-
ion between dancing and bridge seems
n absurd one. and why cards should be
Q more pious entertainment than walz-
ag is a question too difficult for The Az
liter
People as a rule do not give large balls
e this season. but Informal dances are
frequently given. and there is no reason
vhy there should not be. as dancing. de-
pite Lord Byron, is a perfectly harm
oss amusement. while bridge, il il is
layed for stakes. results in all sorts OF
-xcesses. In fact, no we'll wisher of so
iety can desire 20 see the present in
-anity regarding bridge continue. II
Gems TO hold its devotees enthralled.
nd Thackeray's account Of the old
3aroness Bernstein and her passion for
,ambling could be fitted onto dozens Of
romen here In Washington. II is bridge
d the morning. bridge In the evening,
ridge until midnight; and Monte Carlo
self has no more fascination for the
amber than has bridge.
At a smart house in the West end the
sther day the hostess at small in
ormaI tea received a very disturbing
able regarding her son who was on duty
the Orient. She was ABOUT TO give
gay 10 hysteria when one Of her guests
aid. "Oh. come along: it's going 10
urn out all right. Let's play bridge" so
ridge was played, just as one would
axe sedative or a hypnotic. and it had
he desired result. The distressed mother
vas soon eagerly disputing with her
iartner. and the fate of her son was
-or the moment. at least. forgotten.
When bicycles were first fashionable,
here was much written about the bicycle
ace and students of psychology main
aimed that the men and women who
cde bicycles acquired certain lines and
IMPRESSIONS unseen i'm others who did
.ot participate I'm this sport. They con-
ended that the children OF the future
would be affected by the strain. and ap-
lrehensive expression that bicycle rid
ng had imprinted on the faces Of the
aothers Of the next generation. In fact.
he pessmists had a beautiful time Of IL.
When the bicycle was superseded by the
automobile. il was the automobile face
that interested the psychologists, and
hat there is an automobile face no one
Who has watched the men ana women
rOwded streets viii deny.
Now the bridge face appeals for recog-
lition, for there is a bridge face. wearing
m expression that no one who is not mad
about the game can simulate; and il is
apply so, because the bridge face in
rs final development is not a pleasant
hing 70 contemplate II shows lust of
power, greed. avarice. the subtle express
ion of the diplomatist. the bold look OF
te warrior In fact. if there is an un-
pleasant trait in a persons character
bridge brings il out. Yet when all IS told,
Il is a pleasant interesting. clever game.
md to the occasional players il means re-
axation and amusement. but the bridge
lends who are completely obsessed by
&. acquire an expression wholly apart.
Some years ago, shortly after he sue
eeded his father. Emperor William or
tered from Berlin all OF the inveterate
gamblers Of society. He even closed the
house OF one OF his own kin and exiled
them to Wiesbaden. for he believed that
heir intense enthusiasm was corrupting
society: and those who know the hold
that bridge has on certain sets In Wash
ington wonder that Col Roosevelt. after
MS usual style Of playing Providence,
lid not exile the bridge fends from his
Capital.
II was thought that with the general
introduction of the automobile horses
would disappear. the business Of breed
ing them would be abandoned, and the
world would take their outings and do
their business in machines. On the con-
trary, the use OF automobiles has given
great impetus to riding. and this pastime !
was never so fashionable as # IS to-day,
for u is a great relief 10 get on horses
back after gliding about in an electric.
Massachusetts avenue is filed with smart
couples OF an afternoon. and one cannot |
walk half a mile or a country road that
he does not stumble into rider. In fact
the hold this sport has on society is
shown in the number OF communications
The Arbiter has recently received asking
for the rules that govern riding, proper
costume. style of hat &C. &C There