The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-01
SOME WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
MRS. ROOSEVELT CRITICISED BY
SHoDDY ARIsTOCRACY.

ed by Vulgar Critici sm-Obj ecti0n-
able People with Past Histories
shut out of the While House-The
Kind of Receptions Which VIII
Be Given There-The Place Mrs
Knox VIII Take in Pittsburg So
cfety-Gcn. Miles Hunting for
Milk White Horse-Other Matters
of General Interest.
Washington, D. c., Nov. eff the
angel Gabriel were to visit the nation
al capital on some celestial errand
he would certainly be criticised for the
cut of his clothes and his old-fashioned
views in general. kindly sensible,
well-intentioned Mrs. Roosevelt is no
exception to the rule that the higher
the mark the more envenomed shafts
are aimed at it,. Her unfortunate
statement-that she can dress well on
$500 a year-which somehow got into
the newspapers, has aroused great
deal Of unfavorable comment among
those extravagant danes whose gloves
alone cost more than that sum, to
say nothing of flowers, laces, hand
kerchiefs and other expensive aces
series 10 the toilet. At a fashionable
tea party the other afternoon a beVy
of ladies were discussing it. Said one
of them-the wife of a well-known
legislator: why, my boots alone,
made on my own last, in London, are
from SIS to SIS The pair, and of course
1 am compelled to order several pairs
at once to wear with different cos
tunes. And then the matter of cor
setsl Madame , the only corset
maker 1 ever employ never charges
me less than $24 for the most ordinary
pair; and one might pay much more,
you know, if one were very particular
about such things. Underclothes, too,
with all the lace and embroidery one
must have now to be decent; one re-
spectacle set of petticoats could not
be gotten up for less than $500. And
then the beautiful silk embroidery
which everybody must have this year
on all their best gowns is so expen-
sive! Just the little bit that is on
this suit cost me $140'-with a care
less wave of a daintily gloved hand
to indicate gorgeous robe of hunt
er's green velvet, with vest and panels,
reveres, cuffs and collar thickly be-
sprinkled with silken violets and leaves,
embroidered in their natural colors.
At a recent afternoon reception, Civ
en- by Mrs. Roosevelt in the White
House, she was simply but tastefully
attired in a gown of soft black silk,
with collar of pale blue, and bit of
fine lace on the bodice. She looked
every inch the lady. and her manner
was perfect. Yet a would-be fashion
able matron, whose jewels proclaim
her husbands early success in the dry
goods business and who dotes on low
neck gowns, where her too too solid
flesh" overfiows, was guilty of the gross
improperly of criticising her hostess
appearance. Just look at her!" said
she. MY maid dresses better than
that every day in the week. One can
well believe that she spends only $500
a year on her clothes"
1t is safe to say that the present
first lady of the land will go on in
her own quiet, true-hearted way, quite
unaffected by vulgar criticism. She
forms her own opinions on most sub
jects, and carries them out. Already
she has made decided changes in the
social life of the White House and has
instituted a new code of etiquette for
the coming winter, which, by the way,
Is likely 10 GAGlQQt illOTG IndH OIlG
woman of wealth whose acquaintance
Mrs. Roosevelt does not wish to culti-
vate. Whispers have already gone
abroad of startling refusals to admit
certain Objectionable females with past
histories, who have hitherto ridden
rough-shod. so to say, into the most
exclusive circles of national capital So
ciety, upon no other recommendation
than bank account away up in the
xa,f11 - III
great many elaborate entertainments,
with champagne and terrapin
galore. When such women call upon
Mrs. Roosevelt, they are politely in
formed by the ushers, who seem to
have the black list we'll in mind, that
she is mot receiving that day. Mrs.
Mckinley was always good naturally
willing to satisfy feminine curiosity
regarding the White House family, to
almost any extent. Any body might
have the satisfaction of hearty
hand-clasp and a few words with the
former gentle mistress, with the fur
Their privilege of staring at the sur
roundings and the toilet of the Pres
ident's wife. Now and then one was
so lucky, or so persistent, as to be
given liberty to range the house and
the Conservatives, under the eye of an
usher; but that was all there was of
~ equal to the task of entertaining
visitors. 1t is altogether different with
Mrs. Roosevelt. With her youth,
strong will and abundant vitality, she
intends to be an active participant in
gay society ana also to choose her as
sociates. There will be no public
brushes in the White House while she
is in it, to which Tom, Dick and Har-
ry may come with his female friends
and relatives; but a great many small
er card receptions, to which official
and desirable people will be hidden,
whom the First Lady wishes to know.
Each Of these lat homes" will have
all the charm of a private reception.
There will be assisting friends, cosy
tea table, and Mrs. Roosevelt will
make herself personally attractive to
each individual visitor. The best peo-
pie of Washington have nothing but
praise for the woman who, by her pre-
Vlous social experience, will elevate
the position at the top which she now
holds. They rejoice that at last a
PRESIDENTS wife has the nerve to hedge
herself about with a social code which
the vulgar and pushing must recog-
nize.
One of the most attractive homes OF
the cabinet circle this winter promises
TO be that Of Attorney General and
Mrs. Knox, who are now established in
the commodious residence of Mrs.
George w. Childs, which Mr.. Knox
purchased last spring. Mrs. Knox has
long been a leader of Pittsburg socie-
~; and II is safe to predict that she
will maintain the reputation she has