The Washington herald., 1911-03-05
LENTEN DIVERSIONS
By THE SOCIAL ARBITER.

Society seeks in Lent change from
the conventional entertainments of the
winter. something different from the
endless round of dinners, Iuncheons
receptions, and teas. The shibboleth
is anything for a change" and many
plans are made for unique entertain
ments. which are generally abandoned Tor
bridge. This game is as popular tnls
year as it was last, and as 1t was the
year before that, and the year before
that, and as it promises to be forever, but
the special form of bridge which Is most
popular at the present moment, is auction
bridge, about which its devotees are
momentarily mad.
AS long as bridge is being played. with
a probability of continued popularity II
would be well if those who play II
would learn the etiquette which should
govern all card players.
The most heinous offense in bridge is 10
criticise your partners play. Refrain
from comment, especially criticism tnere
is no objection after a hand Is played
to saw that it was well managed, well
played. But, why didn't you do this!
or why did you do that?" should never
be allowed. Glum and disapproving looks
are not to be tolerated. When bridge Is
so serious to a person that it upSets his
self-control. he would play only with
those who are his peers and never with
beginners and inexperienced persons II ne
is experienced, nor with experienced per
sons if he is a beginner.
About playing for money and prizes
there are many and various opinions, anu
~
tion that every man has right to MS
opinicn. It is not my intention to dis
cuss here the subject of gambling IN all
its ramifications, but to call attention TO
the bad taste of criticising player oe-
cause his way of thinking does not fall
in with your own.
"Oh, you don't play for money. do
you?' asked the most eager seeker Tor
prizes it has ever been my lot to meet,
IN a woman playing at the same table
with her. Il never play for money. l
think it's just dreadful"
But you play for prizes, don't you?"
asked the lady to whom she was speak
ing.
Yes, indeed was the reply; ''I play
for prizes, but that is different, quite
different" But what after all, is the
difference?
A gosSiper and chatterer, who can new
er stop gossiping and chattering. should
never play bridge. Such a one should
stick to some game, such as poker, where
talking does not interfere with the play
ing, but rather adds to the enjoyment of
it. A loquaCious person at the bridge
table is maddening, for it is the one
game above all others that REQUIRES the
strictest attention, and to have a per-
son gabble along about the latest en-
Eagement. frustrated elopement or how
much her neighbor is worth is the great
est trial TO which a player interested in
playing can be subjected
Another fault against which a player
should guard is recounting his former
victories, reviewing his ancient prowess.
How you play at the moment, not how
well you once played, is what interests
those who are playing with you.
Speaking Of games as a diversion for
Lent, it is curious how little chess is
played nowadays. There was a time that
chess table was a part of the fur
niture in the drawing-room of every cuI-I
uvated person, then it was banished to
the garnet along with other old-fashioned
stuff. Now it is making its appearance
again. together with the buffets. the sew
ing tables, the toilet mirrors that our
grcat-grandmothers used. There is no
more fascinating game than chess, which
is one of the oldest of all games. Tt
can be traced back to India 5000 years
ago, and probably existed even before
then. 1t has been the favorite game of
courts and cloisters and has excited the
interest of master minds. This game is
being revived; the bellies of society are
learning its mysteries as a Lenten diver
sion. and the chess table is once more
an institution of all smart houses.
E2riI Nd
games are all very well, but those that
call one into the open are most popular |
with those who seek to devote this season |
of fasting and prayer to improving or re-
establishing their health. Golf is fash
ionable and has come to stay. It tempts
the society girl because of the fascinating |
costume it allows. No ball dress ever
became woman so we'll as do the short |
skirt, the loose blouse with turnover
collar and bright colored, flowing tie
soft hat or beratta crushed down over a /
face shining with enthusiasm and pleas
ure- Tennis can be played in the town. /
If there is sufficient space available. as
well as in the country, but it takes people
out OF doors who would not go save to |
amuse themselves and il xeeps them
there. In Washington il vies with golf
in popularity and throughout Lent. from
then on, In fact. until cold weather again.
the tennis courts are IN constant demand
Archery, one Of the oldest and most
graceful of sports, is little followed now,
which is cause for wonder since If
gives an opportunity for an exhibition of
the highest skill in Workmanship and
Tor graceful movements, while permitting
the wearing Of fashionable toilettes |
There Is, to be sure, already one archery
club In washington, but there could be
a dozen or more, and a target set I'D on
the green at the Chevy Chase Club, with
beautiful women in smart toilettes WELD
ing the bow, would be an Interesting fea- |
ture. Indeed, If the game were seriously
taken up there is no doubt but that there
would be plenty OF people who would play
It and soon become noted archers.
Croquet Is still played, and has many
oeVotees, but It is not played with the
same enthusiasm as it was formerly, when
not to play croquet was to be out of
fashion. In those days the craze for II
went so far that it was played by moon
and lantern light. and disputes over the
various rules and points of it were SO
bitter that they frequently resulted in
the severtng of long friendships 1t is
the ideal game for young people and
those whose age prevents them from TAX
Ing part In more active and dangerous
sports. The use Of the mallet brings into
play the muscles that most need exer-
cising, and one can walk miles of an
afternoon on the croquet field without ro-
alizing it CroQuet ought to experience
a return into a well deserved popularity.
AS it is, It win always remain in favor,