Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-14
BELGIUM'S PRINCE
Not the Kind of a Man He Was
Heralded to Be.
His MANY ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES
He is Charmed With Washington
and Has Become Popular Here.
RRTT1 NTTV FINITE MED
BRILLIANTLY ENTERTAINED

Prince Albert of Belgium will receive a
number of lasting impressions during his
extended Journey through the Union, but 1t
is safe to say that none of them will be
more i2deible or prove more gratifying
than those which his memory will retain Of
his stay in the capital of the nation. He is
perfectly charmed with Washington and
with the people h has met here. The cour-
tesy of which he has been the recipient has
had nothing of he perfunctory about it.
1t has been cordial and hearty. And the
royal visitor, on his part, will leave no
less pleasant memories when he departs.
He was heralded previous to his arrival in
this country a methodical, heavy sort
of n fellow, rather phegmatic in his dis
position, slow to appreciate things he saw
and extremely exclusive in the matter of
mixing with other people. He is not this
sort of man in any respect. He has
keen perception, and his gift of intuition
Is a generous one. His comments eli the
various things that have been shown to
him while here have developed an unex
pccted familiarity due to well-directed
study and judicious observation. Socially
h. has shown himself to be a genial and
companionable gentleman.
This disposition was significantly shown
Saturday night.
A Brilliant Affair.
The Belgian minister and Countess Lich-
tervelde entertained him at dinner and re-
ception Saturday night at Rauscher's. 1ne
dinner was served in the green dining room,
where the walls were draped with the
American and Belgian colors. The square
table was arranged for twenty-eight guests
and very beautifully adorned. The center
of the table was square of foliage plants.
ferns, etc, in which number of electric
lights cleaned. Bouquets of tulips and
ribbons in the Belgian colors, with fern
sprays, etc, made it's rich decoration.
There were seated with the prince and his
host and hostess the Vice President and
Mrs Hobart, the British ambassador and
Miss PauncefOte, the German ambassador,
the French ambassador. the Austrian min
lister and Baroness Hengelmuller, the Portu-
guese minister and Viscountess Santo-
Thyrso Mr. and Mrs. Adams, formerly of
the British embassy in Belgium; Senator
and Mrs. Wetmore, Mrs. Harriet Lane
Johnston. Mr.. and Mrs. Townsend. Mrs.
Wallack, Mrs. Letter, Miss Patten, Col.
Jungbluth and DR.. Melis.
Before IL the guests invited for the re-
ception had arrived. Countess Lichtervelde
welcomed them, but as presentations are
not made to royalty except by request OF
had the pleasure of meeting the future
King of Belgium. Those who did enjoy
that distinction were young ladies whose
acquaintance the prince desired.
Guest of the Alibi Club.
From Rauschers the prince, accompa-
MED by the Belgian minister, Colonel jung
bluth DR.. de Melis and Mr.. Joostens, went
to the Alibi Club and enjoyed a symposium,
which, being informal in character, was
an excellent test of the good fellowship OF
the prince. The introduction at the club
was made by Mr. Joostens to the president
of the club, DIR. Francis Loring, who then
presented the prince and his party to all
the members and guests present. Among
these were Speaker Reed Senator Wet
more. Senator Mcmillan, Mr.. Ferguson,
ex-minister to Sweden; Representative
Simpkins, Captain Hoy of the navy Wood
bury Blair Major Sanger of the army,
Thomas Nelson Page, Judge John Davis
DR.. Maurice Murray and Captain Rogers of
the army.
Pipes and Beer.
Prince Albert entered thoroughly into the
enjoyment of the occasion, and when the
long-stem pipes and the grea, pewter
fagons of beer were produced he settled
himself in his arm chair and pulled and
drank with great satisfaction. The toast
to Our Guest" was drunk by the party
and number of good stories were told.
while the quip and the jest met each other
Ike the flashing of rapiers. While this was
going Oil Senator Wetmore, Senator Nc
MILAN, Thomas Nelson Page and Repre-
sentative Simpkins, arrayed in cooks caps
ard aprons. prepared a supper of deviIed
bones, buckwheat cakes, oysters, etc.. and
as the knife on the fryingpan-dial clock
pointed 10 the last minute Of Saturday
night TIE feast was served upon the kitch-
en- table, in pursuance of the custom of the
club.
A
Ills royal highness proceeded with a
'"o-uneo Kitchen fork to do full justice to
everything before MIN. He probably never
sat down to a meal before without a nap
kin, but this luxury is forbidden at the
Abb Club. Ignacio Martinelli sang a num-
Der of French and Spanish songs, in the
choruses of which the Belgians and th,
members OF the Alibi Club joined It is
probable that Prince Albert will never for
get that symposium as long as he lives.
Inc entertainment concluded a very busy
cay for the prince and his party Saturday
morning. as related in The Star, they wit
ressed the Cossack drill of the cavalry at
Fort Niger and were entertained by Col.
Sumner
Visit to Public Places
Saturday afternoon, in company with
Vice President Hobart, the party went to
the Capitol. the Congressional Library and
the Smithsonian Institute. The Capitol
was reached shortly sfter o'clock, and
Sergeant-at-arms Bright conducted the
gentlemen through the building. Prince
Avert commented freely upon various in
terestirg things pointed out to him, and
vas particularly DESTROYS to learn all about
the weather phenomena Of the country, his
attention being drawn to this by the
weather charts in the House lobby The
Congressional Library impressed Prince
Albert with its elegance and beauty, and
he was much interested in the mechanical
appliances for the transmission of books
and the arrangements for their accommo-
daiion The party returned to the Airing
ton about O'Clock. The reception at Rall-
scher's was very largely attended, and tie
most distinguished people in Washington
were present
Yesterday morning Prince Albert accom-
panied by the Belgian minister and Coun-
tess Lichtervelce and his suite, attended
O'Clock mass in old st. Matthews Church,
18th and II streets A small commemorative,