Evening star., 1915-02-07
h avenue approach to the grand ball

5th avenue approach to the grand ball
room
Three bands of music played for the
dancing, which was general after the
grand march. the fox trot being the
most popular dance Of the evening.
In the order of formation in the grand
march the floor committee and the
Charity Ball Society. which now num-
men OF New York society, came first,
after which marched the president of
the ball. Mrs. Algernon Sydney Sulli-
van. and members Of the ball commit
hospital.
Guiding Mayor Mitchell, who walked
with Jacob w. Miller. president of the
hospital: Rear Admiral Nathaniel r.
York navy yard, and Col. E. F. Glenn,
from Governors Island, with his per-
sonal staff. Mrs. Mitchell was escorted
by w. w. Heaton: DR.. Edward L. Par
fridge walked with Mrs. Usher. and
Mrs. Glenn was with DR.. Edward H.
PeaSlee.
Mrs. Sullivan, in black lace over white
satin, who has led the grand march
for more than thirty years, received
erected at the south end of the grand
ballroom.
The history of the charity ball is al
ways interesting in it's relations to the
historic and present social life of New
York. The first ball was held in 1857,
and as it has been given every year
since, except for three years during the
civil war, last night marked the fifty
NTH annual ball.
When it was first given, in the old
Academy OF Music. everybody knew
one another in society. and the women
wearing wide. flaring skirts. crino-
lines and bonnets. while the little girls
were in skirts and pantalettes. There
were no telegraphs. telephones or type
writer's. Jenny Lind was giving con-
certs in Castle Garden, now the Aqua
rum. and the Astor House was new.
People were buying candy from Mr..
and Hudson streets. ST. Johns Park.
below Canal street. was a fashionable
center, although it's old residents were
moving uptown to Washington Square,
The pewholders in old ST. Johns
Church in those days were the Hamil-
tons. Schuylers. Lydigs, Lispenards,
Stewards and their kindred.
Age is one of the subjects-so Mrs.
Hewitt says-that should never be
mentioned in polite
Tabooed Topic, society But during
But Well Put. tn the las. last tive two weeks
have been given by some of the grandes
danes OF st. Louis, the combined ages
of whose guests would amount to about
a thousand years, and they simply can't
go unnoticed.
1t all began with a luncheon Mrs.
Francis A. Lane gave which was fol-
lowed by Mrs. Julia Deaver Hewitt's
auction bridge party and tea at the
Woman's Club. Mrs. Charles l.. Thomp-
sons luncheon in honor of her seventy
seventh birthday, Tuesday, and Mrs.
Robert B. Whittemore's tea. the same
day. Mrs. James w. Leete's luncheon
and Mrs. c. Bent Carr's tea. One party
inspired the other until these dear
women, who speak of each other by
their girlhood names. have been in a
wild whirl. There Is Emma Price (Mrs.
Lane). Kate Levering (Mrs. White
more), and Lu Atchison (Mrs. CARR,
and Julia (Mrs. Hewitt) and Marys and
Annes.
The younger generation had a hard
time getting 1t all straight when an
ice was wanted for Addie (Nirs. Morri-
son, a cup of tea for Lizzie Cham
bers (Mrs. HulD.
Mrs. Whittemore's tea, which was
just for herself, was remarka BILE mas
much as it brought together women
who were friends half a century and
more ago. She had camp chairs, lots
of them, in convenient places, SO that
every one could sit down, and every
one had a lovely time.
The three debutantes of the White
more clan, Misses Edith and Betty
Whittemore, who are cousins, and Miss
Louise Knapp. and Miss. Katherine
Whittemore, the sister of Miss Betty.
received with their grandmother Mrs,
Whittemore has seven married sons.
The entertainments given by the
Junior League had a big and happy au-
dience each
New York Junior of the three
League Clears $21, 900. e"'' the sho~ Uf
Friends and families of the performers
of course, made up the greater part
of the house, further augmented by the
brilliantly costumed young actorines
themselves. who. when not called for
on the stage. sat with their friends IN
! front and added much to the gayety OF
nations. There was plenty of noise,
some good music AID a succession of
beautiful pictures. Speaking Of noise
! Chalmers Wood, megaphone, which
I he forgot to use, under one arm, shout
ed himself hoarse over the voting con-
test, which was huge success, net
| ting over $1,000 as it's contribution to
| the fund. The total sum cleared by the
three performances above all expenses
| amounted to So, 900, which will be de.
voted to the philanthropic work for