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Chapter 6: Samuel Ward and the Astors
My first peep at the great world in grown-up days was at a dinner party given by a daughter of
General Armstrong, married to the eldest son of the first
John Jacob Astor.
Mrs. Astor was a person of very elegant taste.
She had received a part of her education in
Paris, at the time when her father represented our government at the Court of France.
Her notions of propriety in dress were very strict.
According to these, jewels were not to be worn in the daytime.
Glaring colors and striking contrasts were to be avoided.
Much that is in favor to-day would have been ruled out by her as inadmissible.
At the dinner of which I speak the ladies were in evening dress, which in those days did not transcend modest limits.
One very pretty married lady wore a white turban, which was much admired.
Another lady was adorned with a coronet of fine stone cameos,—which has recently been presented to the
Boston Art Museum by a surviving member of her family.
My head was dressed for this occasion by
Martel,