The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-02

~ H@A''N-AS ''~
Secretary Hays collection OF first edi-
tions of modern authors has been enriched
by a copy of Rudyard Kipling's first book
of tales. the gift of a Bombay friend
Senator Aldrich and his daughter are en-
route to Washington from Cuba.
Mr.. and Mrs Potter Palmer have not re-
engaged Beaulieu. the Astor villa at New
port. occupied by them last season. and the
probability is that 1t may remain closed on
account of the enormous rent demanded by
it's owner There Is some talk OF its being
occupied by Mrs. Calvin S. Brice and her
daughters Senator Br-ice and his family
were living there and entertaining famous
~ up to the time of his death. The daugh-
tiers of Mrs Brice are ROW out of mourn
ing and are preparing to re-enter society.
Baroness Won Orendorf will sail for Ed
rope in May During her visit abroad she
will spend some time with her niece. the
Baroness Won Swartzenstein. who, as Miss
lie Vinsen. was a popular visitor at the
Capital several years ago.
New York is nothing if not original in
the matter OF entertaining. 1t has now been
settled by some of the ultra fashionable
set that one way of adding zest to Easter
tide gayety is to give a book party-though
all that the outer world is allowed to
know about it just yet is that each guest
is to go in the character of his or her
favorite author. The plan suggests little
story that happened years and years ago
when Charles Dickens visited this country
for the second time. 1t was right here in
Washington that a gentleman who had
.ar
course. admired him tremendously. was in
vited to a masquerade party-they were
fashionable in those days-and he decided
to go as Boz He gave wig maker pho
tograph Of the author with instructions to
copy it exactly. He thought up every de-
tail of the great mans dress. even
to the red carnation he used to
wear in his coat-and created the
sensation of the ball. Then he rashly had
himself taken in character and when
Dickens came to Washington on his lecture
tour the gentleman called. showed him
the photograph, and quoted those two lines
from Burns.
When the author handed it back it was
with the air of one not exactly enjoying
the novelty of seeing himself others
see him.
You are not saying much about it,
suggested his double.
No answered Boz. with solemn feel
ing. ITO breathe a word would be to re-
fleet on the taste of the Creator who made
me-you will kindly consider me dumb.
To go back to the book party, it is said
the idea was evolved by one of the lumi-
nous social lights who attended the Mi
Careme ghost party given by Mr.. Con-
stable to the One Hundred Club. Society
is beginning to realize that nothing so
pleases people as to pretend to be some
Thing they are not. and while it may be
just as much fun-perhaps more-going to
a dance as a vegetable. or with ones
clothes put on backwards is less
criticism to be expected from Jealous out
siders when those present go as men
and women who have brains and have
written books to prove it.
Mr. and Mrs. G.. Lansburgh have issued
invitations to the marriage of their daugh-
ter Blanche to Mr.. Myer Singer of Buff
faio, n. Y on April g. reception is to
follow at Concordia Hall.
Miss Mary. Helen Howe will return from
New York to sing in the operate concert
to be given by the Choral Society, and
after q brief rest from her musical work
will sail for Europe in June.
Mrs. Electa NJ. Smith. 9l1 VI Street. has
invitations out for "Wednesday evening.
when she will give a reception in honor Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas j. Henderson. of
Illinois. Natives of that State are to be
t,.a ,f,,er' =.