A LONDON SEASON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 9

A LONDON SEASON.

Writing of the London season that has just come to an end a correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” comments as follows;—“ The present season began by being rather violent, and ended in something like a return to old conventions. There was never bo little entertaining and yet there was so much, which is to say that there was very little entertaining on grand scale and a vast lot of entertaining in a small way. Apart from the 'Sion House ball and one or two others there were no great balls, but everyone was giving little dances with hardly any preparation. Many girls had not worn a hall dress for four years, and there was a generous reaction after hard work, with the result that a good many of the remaining .conventions gave way.

“ One result of these small dances with no arrangements for sitting out, and rather small space because of part of the house being shut up, was the custom of walking in the street between dances. Many of tho "West End squares were rather peculiar sights in the summer evenings. The custom went further. Young men often took their partners drives in taxis between dances. Tilings got rather extreme. “Towards the end of the season, however, a perceptible reaction set in. Women began to insist on their partners wearing gloves, and going into the street between the dances became 1 not quits the thing. Tho dances, too, to change, and the old-fashioned waltz came in a good deal at the end. “ As to the older people, there were Elenty of dinners and bridge parties, ut all on short notice. About the middle of the season the servant difficult}' became less pressing, and now one hears comparatively few complaints. Most people have not resumed their footmen, and maidservants are being , retained in all the clubs and in most houses. There has been an- unusual amount of race-going and a great deal 1 if betting.”