The San Francisco call., 1909-02-07

was hostess was given at her home in
California street. and Miss Louisiana
Foster was hostess at the fourth dance
given in Century hall These dances
are matter OF history in the club
but there was an attractive succession
of parties that will be continued this
season. At the recent reorganization
Of the club Miss Mary Keeney was ap-
pointed president and Miss Louisiana
Foster secretary for the season.
The rehearsals for the kirmess are
going merrily forward, and although
the girls are agreed that it is hard
work to learn the dances they are
enthusiastic over the practice every
day that will result in the grace and
fiexibility necessary for the eventful
days of the kirmess. The various
dances are fairly well organized now,
and Miss Stewart is devoting herself
to the instruction of the scores of So
ciety girls who appear at the Fairmont
every day for the rehearsals. There
are comparisons going on, of course,
among the participants, many of whom
show wonderful adaptability for the
dancing and a few of whom need the
advantage of much practice, but they
are all interested in the progress of
the dance. The Spanish dance affords
SOAAC u llAC OSSl lot grace
and dramatic action, but the Dance
Of the Hours" and the clever move
ments have particular grace of their
own The picturesque Dance of Ma
tions" will be an unrivaled event in the
annals of society, and a tremendous
success is already assured. 1t is esti-
mated that about 400 society maids and
matrons are actively at work for the
success of the four evening perform
February IL, IS. 19 and 20 are being
reserved for several hundred society
people, and it would seem as If the
financial side were already assured as
well as the social prospect.
To those who are watching the trend
Of the times in the social world the
barn dance is of more than ordinary
significance. OF course, as no one can
afford to predict with any measure Of
certainty which way the zephyrs of
fancy will guide the great dancing ma
jority, still there are infallible signs,
even in society, that might be said to
be ruled entirely by caprice A dec
ade ago the twostep invaded the BALL
room and the beaux and bellies have
twostepped for years, until they have
turned an utterly graceless hop into
something resembling rhythmic glide
For many years the two step crowded
out every attempt at a statelier move
ment. and every effort to revive a
graceful dance was converted in. short
order into the syncopated time that
has been almost the sole inspiration
of dancers for 10 years.
The barn dance is the first success in
the nature of cotillon, and is a sort
of stately square dance that is remi-
niscent of powder and patches. Every
one has learned the dance-that is. al
most every one-for a few are secretly
practicing the seven steps. There is
a simplicity about the dance that has
suddenly become the rage in society
and that is a sound recommendation.
1t would be strange, would it not, If
with the revival of the barn dance
came the cotillon and the antiouated
Virginia reel? However, a prophecy
is impossible, ii may be repeated, where
fancy is the law, and society does not
follow any but the dictates of caprice
The engagement of Miss Helen Will
son and Paymaster Walter A. Greer,
q. S. N, was announced yesterday at
luncheon given at the home of the
bride elect in Washington street. Sew
eral days before the formal announce
ment was made the young couple were
receiving the felicitations of their
friends, since the romantic secret could
not be entirely kept as a surprise for
yesterdays affaif. Miss Wilson is the
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. John Scott