The San Francisco call., 1898-04-10

love match of the diplomatic corps. Mime. Lazo Arriaga was a Castilian peauty-the type of exquisite, rare vol -ankind of which one reads She was the idol of her husband, and they were a noble-looking pair. Mime. 20 Arr1agas death was particularly sad, for she left nine children. the youngest baby of but a week or two
 Another house with an element of tragedy lowering about it is that of the Brazilian legation. Seror Men donca is threatened with total blind ness, and it is a rathetc si~ht to see his wife guiding his steps through the gay and brilliant aSsemblages of Washington season. Senor Mendonca has the finest collection of paintings in Washington. He has the true artistic temperament. and his pictures Lave al- ways been his delight. The affliction that will take from him the sight of his dearly loved tr sures is particularly deplorable. Mime. Mendonca looks like a Spanish woman, though she is an American. She was born in Maine, but went to Brazil when quite young. There she became a governess to Senor Mendonca's daughters, and while in that position he fell in love with her. Strangers always think her a Spaniard from her appearance and an attractive little accent.
 The most popular receptions in Washington are those given by the Mexican Minister and Mme Romero. It is hard to define just wherein lies the secret of their success above oth- CTS, but the palm Is theirs. Mime. Ro- nero, like Mime. Pat notre, is also from Philadelphia. She was a Miss Allen, an heiress and belle. The Romeros have been longer in he diplomatic corps th1n any other foreign representatives.
 Miss Murphy, handsome San Fran cisco girl, married a diplomat, Mir. Vincent Dominguez, secretary of the legation of the Argentine Republic. Mime. DomingueZ flashed like a meteor upon the social season; her gowns, her jewels and her rich beauty making her a dazzling center for admiring gaze.
 But a powerful rival to all these fair women Is the tiny-footed Mrs. Wu, the wife of MT. Wu Ting-Ya for when ever she appears she is the center of attraction. To no woman, no matter how fond her liege lord, is accorded such attentions as the Chinese Min ister showers on his small-footed wife. After they have made their bows to host and hostess MT. Wu invariably lifts his wife in is arms and carries her to a seat near by, while the big footed women of other countries stand around with the men, and no doubt often sigh for the enforced repose of Mrs. Wu.
 The Chinese Minister Is considered one of the brightest and wittiest men in Washington and he has the repu- tation of being able to tell story that would make Chauncey Depew look anx- iously to his laurels. At one of the famous Gridiron dinners-for which in- vitations are eagerly sought and where only the brightest and most popular men obtain accessible best story told after dinner was that related by MT. Wu Ting Yang.
 Mir. Kwai, the interpreter of the Chi nese legation, is married to a pretty blonde from Springfield, Massachusetts. They have one baby, as have also the Wus, and they all live together in the Chinese legation.
 When the ladies of the legations, the Ministers and Ambassadors, the Secre- tary of State-the only member of the Cabinet invited to a diplomatic dinner and about fifteen distinguished priv ate citizens assemble at the White House, it is indeed a brilliant gather ing. The guests, about sixty-three in all, are presented in the east room to President and Mrs. Mckinley by Col onel Bingham. First, the four Embas- sadors with Sir Julian Pauncefote at the head, and then the Ministers in the order of their arrival at the Cap itol, the oldest resident coming first.
 Mrs. Mckinley sits at the right hand of
 
 as did Mrs. Cleveland-because she is subject to fainting spells and her de- voted, lover-like husband wants her by his side, where she is the recipient of his watchful attentions. This manner of placing husband and wife is remarked upon by many, but, as Herr von Hol- leben has remarked, it is all in the cus- tom of a country; to a German diplo- mat it is the most natural to see the President and his wife seated thus, be- cause the Empress always sits at the right of the Emperor, being considered the first lady at all times.
 Upon Lady Pauncefote devolves the duty of signaling to the ladies to rise: perhaps this motion is in many cases not unwelcome, for in the placing of Sixty-three guests many trying situ- ation must be involved. No doubt sparkling interchange of thought is la bored with the Minister from Korea. no less than when uncongeniality dampens ones powers of repartee.
 RICHARD HAMILTON POTTS.