Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-04
Chicago Society at
Lincoln Ball.

| ,,ita at home. They would even have
recognized some of the frocks worn on
this occasion as having adorned fair
! wearers fifty-seven years ago at Chicago
social functions, says the Chicago Trib-
une.
There was Mrs Robert Mccain in
gown of her mothers. the late Mrs
Charles B. Farwell, wonderful creation
of black and white point lace. 1t was
especially made for party given by the
Farnums over half century ago. when
a young and untried man named kinsley
made his debut as a caterer.
Mrs William Conger wore gown
of her mothers, Mrs. John b. Lyon
Miss Helen Hoyne, one of the season s
debutantes, looked charming IN a 1rock
that belonged to the late Mrs. Norman B.
in her day. Miss Grace futile donned
for the evening a frock OF pineapple
tissue that belonged to her grandmother,
the late Mrs. ]. v. Farwell. Mrs. Arthur
Meeker wore much berumed costume
which had been her mothers. Miss Betty
Hoyt looked delightfully."- quaint and pretty
in a dress of her grandmother's, the late
Mrs. Allen: while Miss Marion Strobel, in
an 1860 frock, which Mrs. George Blow
produced from the family archives, gave
a lovely impression of the youth of half
century ago.
One great obstacle to a perfectly life
like representation of the bellies of those
early days is the healthy, junoesque pro-
portions of most women. young and old.
nowadays. An almost corsetless genera
ton cannot, at will, thrust itself into the
eighteen-inch bodices Of two or three gen.
erations ago. One of the chief reasons
that our grandmothers tainted and had
Mysteries SO much was that they laced
themselves into abominably small and
stiff corsets. They also had the fortitude
to endure the agonies Of tight slippers
that combined to achieve a slavery of
which we know nothing.
When you think Of these bodily condi-
,, lions united to the most insanitary wear
ing apparel-low necks, short sleeves and
cotton underwear-and houses hermeti-
cally sealed and i'll heated. you wonder
that the present generation is on hand
| at all to mimic those bygone days.
The Palmer House chef, an official of
long tenure Of office. had created culinary
wonders suitable to the period Of the ball,
and these and great epergnes of fruit
and flowers adorned the tables.
| AT the Palmer House Mrs Arthur Ryer-
son provided her thirty-six guests with
a feast reminiscent of the festive seven
| ties.
Her table, too carried out the picture
| of bygone times, as it was adorned with
pink satin ribbons. each one Of which
terminated in a bouquet for one of the
| fair guests.
| Mrs. Morrill, Dunn, who entertained at
dinner that evening in honor of Mr.. and
Mrs. Hale Holden. made a special study
! of the menus of 1860. and began her din
, ner with old fashioned oyster soup,
with the oysters swimming in it and serv-
/ ed in big soup tureen. Roast turkey and
| oyster stuffing, cranberry sauce with the
| round red cranberries left In it, were 9TH
! er dishes she served. In 1860 turkeys
were cheaper than hamburg steak is now
Had our grandmothers anticipated an era
when housekeepers would have to pay 81
cents pound for the great American
bird their glossy coiffures would have
stood on end