The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-03

The New Years bells rang down the curtain Thursday evening on one of the gayest tableaux of social life ever pic fured in Birmingham, certainly the gayest of all New Years eve celebrations For the first time Birmingham, following the lead of the big eastern cities, celebrated the passing of the old year in true spirit of revelry. The hotel cafes were so thronged that during the earlier hours many parties looking for tables at which to dine and watch together the final mo- doors-maybe to solace themselves only with the dance, maybe to seek other cafes and table vacated, by chance, through some groups early departure.
 At the Country, Phoenix and Newspa- per clubs, practically the same drama was being enacted, and at these, as at the Tutwiler, when the old year stepped finally into history 1t was to the riotous noise of ear-splitting whistles tissue-pa- per explosives of various bright colors and amid the throwing of confetti and ribbons-saucy paper caps perched on everybody's head and tables laden with various fanciful favors.
 So did the New Year come in with the sayest welcome that has ever been &C., corded so youthful a cherub-and may the joy of its welcome be prophetic of the happiness that is to follow it's career.
 The week was one of prolonged and varied brilliance. Few dances given in Birmingham have ever been so thor oughly enjoyable as was the one which took place at the Country club Wednes. day evening, when the Phi Delta Theta fraternity held this social session of their Interesting convention. Only men of the convention and great many Birmingham women were of the party and a beautiful spirit of hospitality prevailed, making the charming preparations that had been effected for the event all the more telling The tea and banquet given for the visit ing Phis were also happy occasions of the week, making it memorable time for all who were privileged to attend.
 The holiday dance for the Equal Suf- frage association, given by Mrs. Oscar Hundley. with the assistance of other capable women of that organization. was another enjoyable large party of the week. MT. and Mrs. William Duncan Nesbitt, the latter chairman of the re- ception committed, conducted a beautiful and altogether appropriate march, intro- ducing figures that applied cleverly 10 the organization. In this they were capably Vi Zor
 graceful dancers in the younger society set. Miss Godfriede Gutherz, who ha returned only an hour or two before from New York, where she spent the holiday season perfecting her study of dancing. with MT. Robert Stevens as her partner demonstrated the Roule-roule. one of the most distinctive and graceful of the new ballroom dances, and made a charming Impression. This was the only intcrlude introduced to break the succession of dances enjoyed by the guests who, veveral hundred in number enjoyed the informal 1ty of the occasion.
 The night previous-Monday-th Glee club had come up from the State uni versity to present their excellent pro- sranme at the Southern club and had announced dance to follow. This was such successful venture that the South ern clubs ballroom capacity was taxed. and portion of the crowd went to the Tutwtler. where, with the music secured there, . dance, the branch of the one in progress across the street was en- joyed. .ss-z.s..- ,.t.s,.
 On New Years afternoon and evening calls were exchanged by friends in every portion Of the city, many keeping .open house on that day fin the good, old fashioned way. Several luncheons and card parties for the college set were en- joyed also during the afternoon and even ing. Each day has been filled with fes- tiv1tfes Of various sorts for the college folk, whose holiday has been of the gay est. Many of the boys and girls will leave today to resume their studies, the greater number, however, departing tomorrow and Tuesday.
 Despite the sorrows of war, which the south has shared in it's own way, Br- mfngham has probably never seen a brighter holiday season, and it has given a'fresh impetus to social life That prom ises to be felt the remainder of the win ter
 The mock trial presented Friday even- ing at the Young Mems Christian asso- ciation was a matter interesting fashion able society to a profound degree The cleverness of the impromptu witnesses, Dr. Branscomb. Mrs. Charles sharp Mrs