Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-01
THE ITALIAN LEGATION.
Its Standing and impression in Social
Sense Not Deep.

The Italian legation, in social way does not
seem to have made much impression. and the
fact Of its absence or presence will not be seri-
onsly felt in this direction. Baron Fava. since
the recall of Minister Preston of Hayti, by res-
son OF his longest consecutive service, has
| ranked as dean of the diplomatic corps
and his office gave him precedence upon all oc-
| casions where the corps figured. He has
naturally a wide acquaintance in the resident
| world of society. but of late years has not been
as punctilious in social affairs as was his wont
some years ago. Baroness fava has not been
here Tor any great length of time for three or
four years, and it has been well under
stood among Baron Fava's friends that as
he has been looking forward to his
recall from thls post she would scarcely come
here again. When she here their house
hold ranked among the pleasant resorts OF
those who move In diplomatic society. When
Baron Fava s son. Mr.. Francis Fava, became a
| naturaiized citizen and located here in his pro-
| fesnion of architect and civil engineering it
was said to be directly in opposition to his
| fathers wishes.
AS DEAN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CoRPc.
Since Baron Fava succeeded to the deanship
of the diplomatic corps, which honor he had az
several times personally held during the alb
sence of the Haytian minister, Mr., Preston he
has zealousiy defended the rights of his posi-
ton, although there does not seem to have
been any desire to take the smallest bit of glory
from him. Lately, however, he has been
I less particular. and upon, the occasion
master General and Mrs Wanamaker in honor
of the President and Mrs. Harrison last winter
he entirely forgot to attend it. The dinner
was kept waiting as long as proper courtesy to
the special guests would permit but the baron
came not his explanation afterward brought
n 4 he act Mt hef
the musicale after dinner and not to the
dinner itself. The incident caused great deal
of gossip ut the time and led many to suppose
that Baron Fava was brusque and uncourteous
In his manners. Nothing, in fact, could be
further from the real truth, the baron has been
distinguished in his official career here by
great urbanity and cordially of manner He
paid little attention to social matters.
though he visited regularly in the afternoons
and attended most of the more important
events, being especially punctual at the White
House functions, where he had the proud privi-
lege Of presenting his diplomatic colleagues to
the President
A STANDING JOKE.
1t has long been a standing joke among the
diplomats that it was wel,-nigh impossible to
even catch Baron Fava at his apartments. Out
side his door is always hanging a little sign,
Out" and very few ever seemed to have had
the good fortune to call when it was re-
read it. On the night that he
failed to appear at Mr.. Wanamakers dinner
there were a good many telephone messages
sent around by some Of the other foreigners
who were present to endeavor to remind him in
time OF the engagement. None succeeded in
reaching him until very late. and when the answer
came it created some CONSERVATION. The person
who repeated the message from the Wanamaker
telephone announced that Mr.. Fava was diving
at home" After the message was operated
again several times it was discovered that far
from any such. dreadful state of affairs, the
baron was only dining" at home.
In one way or other the course of Baron Fava
in the New Orleans affair has been the subject
OF great deal of favorable comment in the
drawing rooms where it was discussed. Acom-
pany OF leading diplomats, talking the SUBJ
lect over In a company on Monday
evening, referred to his conduct of the
matter M being i'll the highest diplomatic sense
as prudent and well ordered, and they expected
that it would end in great distinction for him.
Those who were seen today are extremely sur
prised at the turn the affair has taken and are
sorry to see the baron recalled in the face of
his earnest endeavor.
THE LEGATION IN SAFE HANDS.
The legation is left in very safe and pop
ular pair Of diplomatic hands when it is known
that the Marquis imperiali, the secretary, is in
charge. The marquis is an exceedingly agree
able man and his social connections are
of the most important character. He
Is among the younger foreigners and
especially devoted to social matters in which
music forms Q part He is an accomplished
| musician, q fine violinist, and, it will be
remembered, was Of immense service in
makingt the presentation of L'Africaine
by amateurs last winter such
great success. He played first violin in the
orchestra upon that occasion, and has been
the mainstsy Of many other musical events
since. Mr.. Georges Levi, the attache of the
legation, Ia another popular society man, and
has wide circle Of friends, made during his