Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-07
SOCIAL MATTERS.
Mrs. Harrison rs . Guest-The Japanes<
Observation-Disclosures.

Mrs. Harrison rs q Guest-Tho Japanese
/ Delegation-Personals-
There has been sufficient diversion in many
WAYS the past week to keep the social ball NOV
ing at ana sP nd s ro soS their
tertainment by going to Congress the last two
nights of the session and refreshing themselves
| after watching the debates at sundry little and
/ big suppers afterward- This part of the hos
| pitality Of the week was really its leading
feature. Then the charity. disguised under
| forming a part of the gatherings of various
other events for which tickets were sold,
answered two other fashionable requirements.
| A good many more Of those who have added
/ importance 20 social gatherings all the past
| winter have lived almost in their trunks lately
| in the preparations being made every day for
the great hegira which took place on Wednes-
| day and Thursday.
There is perhaps nothing that the resident
! world Of the capital 30 much resents as that i'm
| piled in the assertion that when Congress sd-
journs all social doings are at an end. They
| assert and very truthfully that really q most
restful- satisfactory and charming period Of
entertainments just begins then for them, when
invited affairs are sufficiently wide apart that
each particular form they may take can be
thoroughly enjoyed.
The dinners which are running through this
season are rapidly making Washington better
known than ever essentially a city for dinner
giving. While people like good things to eat
ii is also a creditabie thing to have to say that
the beautiful china and plate, absolutely works
of art, upon which good dinners are served
nowadays form and in the collection of which
an artistic ambition is gratified are quite az
much talked about as the dinner and wines.
Strange enough this contrast of fine table be-
longings 10 very marked between that which
the greatest nation in the world provides for
the of its chief executive and that which
forms the great beauty Of the tables Of private
citizens here. Ten years ago the table at the
White House set for u state banquet Was really
beautiful sight. The prevailing taste then
found expression in covering up two-thirds Of
the linen with flowers. That fashion has
changed, but the appointments have not
greatly improved in either beauty or value.
While greater simplicity is the fashion in the
doing away Of flowers il only means that more
artistic perfection is absolutely necessary in
everything placed on the table that 1t may
form a picture to be remembered. Mrs. Har-
rison does wonders with the meager things at
her disposal, but she, who SO admires fine china,
must often wish that generous government
would provide il more lavishly for use on state
occasions at the White House.
Mrs. Harrison has not paid much attention to
that unwritten law of social etiquette by which
the lady of the White House refuses all invita-
tons to the houses of amy but the cabinet fani-
lies. 1t has been wise and pleasant deter
mination to her friends that she has allowed
this custom to lapse and it has given herself
many delightful opportunities to meet her
friends under their own roofs In q charmingly
informal way. Very frequently lately Mrs.
Harrison and the other ladies of her household
have dined out at the houses Of her oldest
quaintances. where there we're no other guests
at all present. These family parties really
what Mrs. Harrison would probably always Sc
lect herself il she could entirely arrange the
disposition of Inequalities in which she takes
part Besides the dinners which she has so
frequently attended lately Mrs. Harrison
has also been present at a number of formal
and informal luncheons, but, OF course, 1t is
understood for all these occasions that it is she
who sets the day. Among those who were hon.
ored by an invitation yesterday to her home
luncheon were some of her recent entertainers
1t is understood that Mrs. Harrison will give
several other luncheons at intervals, as she
especially desires to meet in this way 30 mu-
tually pleasant number of her friends whom
thus far she has not been able to see as much of
as she would like.
Next week, in company with her daughters,
Mrs. Harrison expects to go over to Baltimore
for day to visit the Walters gallery, as well AS
to make a call ON some personal friends. This
little visit will probably use up the DAYS that
the President will be absent upon his cunning
expedition. Mrs. Mckee has in prospect visit
to her husband up in Boston, but will be lack
for the Easter gayeties-whether or not Mr.
and Mrs. Russell Harrison are to cross the
ocean this spring does not seem vet entirely
decided, but If the vote of the ladies here could
be taken there would be an unanimous express
sion of opinion that they should do so. Every
body wants to read OF Mrs. Russell Harrison's
presentation at court and the showering of
social attention upon her, which would natur-
ally follow her presence in London during the
season.
The minister Of Japan and Mrs. Tateno have
in the short time they have been here achieved
wide popularity in diplomatic circles and
the legation under their administration will in
a social way be second to none. Mr.. Tateno
speaks English huently, having lived long
time during his early official career in London,
where he was IN charge of the young Japanese
there receiving their education. When this
term Of duty was fulfilled he returned to his
native country and was appointed chamber
lain Of the royal palace. 1t was while he served
in this capacity that Gen. Grant arrived in
Japan. MIR. Tateno the chairman of the
committee to receive and entertain Gen.
Grant and began then a friendship with
him which only ended with the lat
ter3 death. As governor OF Osaka
which is among the leading commercial cities
Of the empire, for ten years, he made a wide
great favorite with them. At one time the city
was flooded and the residents of the foreign
quarter, who were chiefly missionaries, were
Obliged to hurriedly vacate their houses. Mr..
Iateno took such complete and thoroughly
successful measures to guard their houses and
their contents that he received from all Of the
governments whose property threatened
resolutions of thanks. He was also n member
OF the old japanese senate, and before his APP
pointment here was minister plenipotentiary
IN waiting. Living long in contact with
foreigners, and especially with English-speak-
ing people, he not only speaks and writes En-
glish, but is thoroughly conversant with our
literature, manners and customs. The minis
ter and his wife attended nearly all Of the ele-
CANT receptions which marked the close of the
season, and had only arrived few DAYS when
they dined with the diplomatic corps at the
White House. Except IN quiet way they have
not yet commenced to entertain themselves.
Mrs. Tateno is of the diminutive type pecr-
liar TO her countrywomen and has bright and
pleasing face. She 10 quite young. She has
also seen great deal Of foreign life, as, while
her husband was governor of Osaka he enter
tanned handsomely. Mrs. Tateno dresses very
elegantly and wears her dainty Partisan gowns
with perfect grace. She has but one child hv-
ing, q pretty little girl of six years, who
bears an equally pretty name, Masu. Mrs. Ia
teno is learning English rapidly ana in now able
to use many phrases and sentences that one
hears most frequently repeated in the drawing
room. Little Masu has japanese nurse. but
is also acquiring English, and her instructresses
are the little girls, her neighbors and play
mates She Is great pet with them, having a
lively happy disposition, and by some means or
other she and her little friends manage to I'M
derstand each other entirely. She is dressed in
the quaint, old-fashioned style of the children
nowadays and her red cloak and big-brimmed
black felt are very becoming.
The legation, under the touch of its new
mistress. looks especially attractive and home