SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 234, 7 March 1885, Page 6

SOCIETY

We gladly receive communications under this head. Senders* names are not divulged. V

Ihe Aberdeen Free Presbytery thinks the world is getting a little too much enjoyment, so it has resolved to remit to the Committee on Religion and Morals to take steps to put' down balls and dancing assemblies. The Eev. Mr Baimatyne, who' proposed the motion, characterised balls and dancing parties as "promiscuous gatherings of people of both sexes for indulging in springs and flings, and artistic circles, and close-bosomed whirlings." Three cheers for Banatyne ! He knows what dancing is. bless you, or he wouldn't be able to describe it so accurately. " Close-bosomed whirlings "—yes, it's very like that. Poor Presbytery ! It may grown and turn up the whites of its eyes, but dancing will still go on.

The iNicvmarket social, on Wednesday night last, passed off with great success, despite the hot weather. About thirty couples were present, and twenty-one dances were gone through. Some of the dresses were very pretty indeed, as were also the people inside them. Among- so many it is, of course, hard to determine who was belle, but there is no doubt that the two sisters from the country, two little sisters from Remnera, and a lady from Epsom, all looked verypretty, as did also the bright-eyed Minnie, Emily, ISfellie, and others. Mr L. acted as M.C.^and quite kept up his reputation as a ladies 1 man, and a jolly good fellow. Several friends from Parnell were present, and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

The Sultan's latest fad is to obtain a complete collection of the cartes of every one of his servants, from the Grand Vizier to the scullion that washes out his dirty coffee cups, ov cleans his " hubble bubbfe." As the Padishah has in and about him an entourage of some thousands of persons including his French dancers, his numerous wives' slaves, his soothsayers, his lion comiques' his trapezists, his wild beast tamers, and the like, the collection in question is already well nigh as large as the stock in trade at that marvellously comprehensive photograph shop in Chancery-lane, London. But undeterred by the quantity, the Sultan has ordered an alburn to be supplied in which they can be all urrang-ed, and this volume, now being "built" on monster lines, will, it is said, when completed, be the largest album on record 1

The Eav. Spurgeon has j ust been presented by an admirer with " a very handsome carriage, painted in a black and tan colour, with trimmings to match, and weighing only Tewt. Xoiseless springs have been used, and there is a patent foot level to apply the brake. The fittings are exquisite in the extreme. lii the front boot are several shelves for books and parcels, and, above these, card and cigar trays are fixed, with a handsome looking-glass in the centre." A delightful Christian is Spurgoon, who, being; gouty, will continue to follow Christ — in a brougham. Think of the meek and lowly ISTazarene, who knew not where to lay his head, meeting Spurgeon in Hyde Park, with, his card and cigar trays, his patent footjever, liveried flunkey, and "handsome looking-glass." Eheu !