Evening star., 1897-03-20
THE SOCIAL WORLD
Already Visiting and Being Visited
Has Begun.
4 RESUME OF POLITE TACTICS
President and Vice President Dine
Together.
OTHER TIM ELY GOSSIP

9TH r TIM ELY GOSSIP
The feminine newcomers in official fam
lilies are beginning to enjoy the bitter
sweets Of their position in the same pro-
portion are the heads of their house
holds who have the patronage to dispense.
The ladies must see to it that their hus-
bands or fathers visiting cards and their
own are properly distributed and within
reasonable interval from the date of
their last reception, for which they have
the traditional peck measure Of fiimsy
Bristol board as souvenirs Those who
imagine that the proper knowledge or ap-
probation of these little exchanges here
is of no moment beside other great ques-
tions agitating the social mind are not
aware that before the administration was
three days old some of the most promi-
rent of its probable leaders were asking
questions from those better informed and
Immediately putting the Information thus
gained to use. brief resume of polite
procedure will be useful at this time.
1t is scarcely necessary to repeat that
the wife of the President does not return
calls. The same immunity has been grant
ing in the Senate circle The wife o. the
cepting upon the ambassadors families.
cepting upon the ambassadors families.
The ambassadors and families make no
first calls unless at the White House. and
while the President and his wife may and
do enter official or private homes, they do
not enter either foreign embassy or lega-
ton.
The next body claiming precedence is
the Supreme Court. The court calls Oh
the Vice President and at the embassies
The cabinet calls first at the embassies
and Upon the Senate. The cabinet ladies
return visits by card in theory. In prac
t!ce. they call upon all the people they
know. and upon all to whom they may he
under social obligation, whether of ac-
cepted hospitalities or otherwise. AS they
are the most generally called upon of any
in the official list, the widest latitude is
permitted as to what extent they may go
| in returning visits.
Excepting at the embassies and upon the
SUPREME Court, senatorial families make
no other first calls. The families longest
| in the senatorial circle receive first calls
from those of less service, and this rule is
rarely put aside.
While the dignity of the ambassadorsh;p
has been defined and the first call is their
right. these past masters in polite cere-
nory do not adhere to the letter of the
law. Both the ambassadors and ministers
are quick to offer the prompt courtesy of
a first call to the official heads of the COM
munity in which they reside.
The value of former residence in Wash
lngton has bearing during these frs,
whirls of the administration social ma
chinery. Mrs. Mckinley herself is a charm
ing example of it. She knows the popular
interest in the White House and its mis-
tresS, no matter who the latter may hap
pen to be-when she was a guest there and
IN TACT, its presiding lady temporarily dur
ing Mrs. Hayes absence for two weeks
she had chance to appreciate this point
thoroughly She is personally fond of see
| ing people and wants them feel home
at the White House. the same as they
would in calling on friend in any another
home. She would like friends to drop in at
any time ii II were practical with all the
demands made upon her time. but intimate
friends have the privilege of calling after
/ uinner. well as during the afternoon
Miss Long. the daughter OF the Secretary
OF the Navy. who will preside for her
father until her mother comes on next fall
also enjoys the privilege of former Wash
lnston residence. Those who called on her
Wednesday have already received her card
in recognition of their visit. The Misses
Gary nave been equally prompt in return
ing calls.
The stir made by the informal reception
of some in the cabinet circle and other So
cia biities of the week have pleasantly
varied the 1.enten calm. OF special note
was the brilliant reception to Senator and
Mrs. Platt. given by Lieut.. and Mrs. Clover
Wednesday night. 1t was the first large
meeting of the social clans since late in
February and was correspondingly en-
]oyed. Every feature was perfect, an in
comparable host and hostess. a splendid
home supper fit for the gods and an as
semblage of persons, both of official and
resident Importance. After such a feast
society can patiently pass several quiet
weeks.
The Lenten diversions as provided arc of
| distinctly improving character, but it is
understood that the audiences so far could
be counted very easily. and the total re-
| Inembered by looking at two hands. The
al -fa n a
| attachments, in the shape of late masculine
arrivals, seem to require too much energy
to organize, or have fallen into discredit
because the breezy. bracing effect of bowl
ing, bicycling and riding among the tailor
made girls. appears to have the upper
hand. The lecture and reading season is
about to begin with the next week and
perhaps change may be noted.
1t Is just at time like this. when dead
ly dullness prevails that the unexpected
may happen and something startling oc-
cur. Society has to admit that there is no
Mrs. Brce to make continuous chain of
musical and literary performances to
bridge the Lenten season. and her name is
repeated nowadays with fond regrets. The
Brices are enjoying a well-oarned season
of rest and travel. amid new scenes in the
south. although it is hard to imagine any
pleasure they have not tasted nor any
place they have not seen. The genius who
will plan something unique in the way of
society exhibition or parads for Easter
week, of course, for sweet charitys sake
will really put the whole body from foun-
dation to upper turrets under immense
obligation.
Miss Helen Carroll has written TO init
mate friends here, announcing her engage
ment to Mr.. Herbert Dciano Robbins of
New York, and that the m arriase will take
place very soon, Immediately after Easter
it is SurmSed.
President and Mrs. Mckinley entertained
the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart and
Senator and Mrs. Hanna at family din
ner last night.
progressive euchre party was given
at the National Rifles armory last even
ing. under the auspices of the "Edentes"
a social organization composed of some of
Rifles. Playing began at 8 o'clock and at
1920 collation. was served in the lower
han of t,rhi ha