Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-21
NANCY WYNNE HAS "a WORD TO SAY
ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS OF THE DAY
Dr. and Mrs. Norton Downs Will Give Large Ball
Tonight at the Belevue-Stratford for Their Debu-
tante Daughter-Many Dinners Precede Dance

uyHE third big dance of the week will
i come off tonight, when DIR. and Mrs.
Downs will give a ball at the Bellevue
stratford for their daughter, Elizabeth
wharton Downs, more Familiarity called
pessie by her friends. Bessie is the old
est daughter in the Downs family and
very attractive. She is graduate Of
81 Mary's School in Peekskil- on the
Hudson, where her younger sister,
phoebe, is pursuing her studies at
present.
BESSIE belongs TO the very oldest and
arst families Of this old Quaker city
Her grandmother, Mrs. Thomas Nc
Kean. was Miss Bessie Wharton, sis
Ter of Mrs. George Boxer and a cousin
ot the late Miss Mary Wharton and
Mrs. Charles Churchman. Then back
further the family connection through
her great-grandfather, Mr.. Henry Pratt
Mexican, extends into the Borie family,
for two great-aunts, Miss Clementine
and Miss Elizabeth Mexican, married
the late Mr.. Charles Borie and Mr.
Adolph T.. Borie, respectively. 1t is a
story of many generations, but I find
Il interesting to know these connections,
and possibly some of the rest of us do,
too. on the paternal side of the family
little Miss Downs has the happiness of
having her grandfather with her to
enjoy her good times in the telling and
In many cases sharing thep with her.
DR.. Robert Downs, at the advanced age
of more than fourscore, is one Of the
city. Both his sons took UP his pro-
fession. the elder marrying Miss Nc
Kean and the younger DIR. Robert
Downs, Jr., married Miss Ella Wood.
On Wednesday evening Bessie's uncle,
Mr.. Henry Pratt Mexican. and his wife.
who was Miss Margaret Rilter, of New
York, gave n theatre party and supper
for her, and the Tom McKeans have
also entertained for her on various
occasions.
Speaking of entertainments reminds
me of n recent one which took the form
of large dinner, to which many guests
of great Importance were invited, some
of whom were from out of town. and
several speeches were to be made by
leading men of the city and State. AS
often happens at these formal affairs,
there were a few bitches; for instance,
the waiter at one table got mixed on
the wine question and served instead
of sherry with the soup a rather hot
brandy, and some eight or nine men
could not make up their minds as to
what it was. One thing was sure in
the minds of all, however, and that
was 1t was not sherry. 1t proved dl-
verting for these guests, who up to that
time had been entertained by lady
who insisted on announcing and rean-
nouncing, This is purely a nonsocial
affair, of course you know" which loud,
polite remark penetrated to the far
ends of the room. To cap the climax
of happenings, one of the most courtly
Of the gentlemen present, having risen
to respond to request from the
hostess, pulled out n small golden chair,
and To- as he seated himself with great
dignity away went the legs, and 1t re-
quired many gyrations and wild ges-
lures before his balance was regained.
With the social wheel going at
express speed, it's a wee bit difficult
to keep pace with all the events. There
is no question, however, as to the stir
being made by the supper party and
dance which the Sam Riddles are
pitTinur tn INN nf frianHc ot he
Ritz on February /. I've been told
there are to be some rather delightful
Innovations, all of which makes ones
thoughts fly sky high in excited
anticipation.
There is to be a perfect orgy of
music. In addition to the Ritz band.
an orchestra from the Crystal Room in
New York will perform, and, of course,
there will be a ripping" negro band
to lay the latest thing in fox-trots
and tangoes. And for those who are
not to keen on dancing. a Neapolitan
sextet will sing and discourse sweet
music in the Junior Ball Room, where.
In addition to that in the res
taurant, a st:.nding buffet supper will
be served. A bit incongruous but
rather nice, don't you think, to MUNICH
the 'ligaireux en- surprise" or the
"huitres frites a la Polonaise" to the
tune of something soft and low. In
cidentally, 1t helps the digestion and
stops the gabbling for a minute or two.
or course, too. there will be the
inevitable sausages. scrambled eggs
and cafe au lait" to usher In the
dawn-all this is in anticipation. how
ever; but. as every one knows. Rid
die Is another name for hospitality.
and it's a foregone conclusion that
every one will have a perfectly hectic
time.
On the preceding evening. Ned
Brooke. brother OF George Brooke, will
play host to 80 of his friends. with
supper and dance in the Partisan room
and annex. NANCY WYNNE.