The herald., 1897-05-18
wAsnrNaTon 1r1ouzrrn
Social Obligations That the Prssi-
doutse wife Cannot Escape

Se@V
dents Wife Cannot Escape
The etiquette Of washington life in its
official, diplomatic and social phases is
truly exacting even to those who keep
to the head and front in the obligations
of their own small circle. Therefore how
much more puzzling 1t must of necessity
be to one who, like Mrs. Mckinley. has
been practically transplanted from the
environment of invalidism to the posi-
ton and duties that devolve upon the
wife of the President. To her there must
come many moments OF indecision, and
faux pas committed ie heralded from
one end of the United States to the other.
Therefore, 1t is we'll for all American
women to be told what would be expect
ed of them il some day they should be-
come first ladies of the lard. for in this
democratic country there is a chance for
all of them to occupy the exalted posi-
tion into which Mrs. Mckinley has juct
stepped.
The wife of the President is the one
woman in official life exempt from max
ing first call, as during her husbands
administration she is the fret lady of the
land, upon whom every American as well
as every foreigner of distinction visiting
Washington must pay the mark of re-
spect of first call. When the wife of
an eX-president arrives in Washington
she must at once make the first call at
the White House. The Presidents wife
must then return that call within the
period of three days. The courtesy is
greater when the call is returned the fol-
lowing day.
| When member of royalty or person of
any exalted rank arrives in Washington
1 it is etiquette for such person to make
/ first call al the White House. This cere-
monial call generally lasts about five
minutes. and in the event of such caller
being a woman hae to be returned by the
wife of the President within three hours.
In official circles dinner cards desig-
mating the place at table are written
with the name of the office of the person
for whom intended. as The Vice-Presi-
dent" The British Ambassador" etc.
At the beginning of each season, gen.
orally in the latter part of December,
the official list of dinner parties to be
given at the White House is made out
by one of the private secretaries after
due consultation with the President.
The order of official entertainments at
the White House is given each season as
follows: January l, the Presidents re-
ception from II a. m. to 2. p. m. The first
state dinner is in honor of the cabinet.
The first state evening reception is in
honor of the diplomatic corps, from 9 to
II o'clock.
The second state dinner is in honor of
the diplomatic corps.
The second state reception is in honor
of congress and the judiciary.
The third state dinner is in honor of
the Supreme Court.
The third state reception ie in honor Of
the army, navy and marine corps.
The fourth evening reception is in hon.
or of the public.
For this reception no cards are is
sued. At the state dinners invitations
are generally sent to limited number
of the resident society of Washington
or other large cities, such as may be
selected by the President or his wife
for the dinner. An invitation to
state dinner is equivalent to a COM
mand, inasmuch as it should be ac-
cepted, even if in so doing another
previously accepted invitation has to
be declined. When, on account of ILL.,
ness, death in the family or absense
from the city, it is found impossible to
attend state dinner, the reason should
be stated in the reply to the invitation.
At state dinners the President does no.
make his appearance in the East room.
where the guests are received, until
the exact hour at which the dinner
takes place. The Presidents wife, on
such occasions, precedes him to the
East room five or ten minutes in ad-
vance of the time set for the dinner, in
order to greet the guests as they ar
rive. When the signal is given for the
company to pass down the corridor
to the state dining room, the President
leads with such guest of honor as has
been selected in accordance with the
requisite official rank necessary for the
occasion. The President always leads
the way at any dinner or entertain
ment he may attend. The Presidents
wife always walks last at a state din
ner, her partner having been selected
with the same due regard to rank as
prevailed in the selection of the Presi-
dents dinner companion. The Pres
ident's place at table on the occasion of
state dinner is the middle seat on
the north side of the table. The place
for his wife is directly facing him
across the board on the south side of
the table The seats on the right and
left of the President and his wife are
the especial places of honor. 1t is eti-
quette for the guests to remain stand
ing until the President and his wife are
seated.
At state dinner 1t is the duty of the
Presidents wife to make the move to
indicate that the dinner is at an end.
Until such move has been made the
guests must remain seated.
The question of official rank and
procedure upon occasions Of receptions
end more especially at dinner parties,
is one of the most perplexing. as we'll
as one of the most necessary, for new
corners to Washington to master in an
understanding manner
At a state dinner given by the Presi-
dent to the Cabinet the place of honor
iS given the Vice President, and the
second to the Secretary of State.
At a dinner at which the guests in
cluda the members Of the Cabinet and
the Chief Justice, the latter can, with
propriety, be seated between the Secre-
tary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture. Generally this is not done.
but if so desired the seating at the