St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence

There will be a greater number of
diplomatic homes at the capital this
winter than ever before A number of
the smaller countries represented here
which have never maintained legations,
or at best simple ones, are branching
out this winter into independent quar-
tiers. The Peruvian minister, Manuel
lAlverez Calderon, who came to Wash
ington last spring with Nine. Calderon
and their young daughter and made
his home with the first secretary and
charge d'affaires and Mrs. De Pezet at
their home, 1850 Massachusetts ave-
nue., now occupied by Secretary and
Mrs. Shaw, have leased the home of
Mrs. John F. Hurst, wife Of Bishop
Hurst, at 1701 Massachusetts avenue,
where the legation headquarters will
be established. The Peruvian minister
was appointed to his post here two
years ago, but has spent little time in
Washington. Nine. Calderon was pre-
scented at the White House last spring.
The British embassy is putting on
new and attractive air under the deco
rators, and with its ample proportions
will be, as it has always been, the
most attractive embassy in Washing
ton. The house will not be ready for
occupancy for some time yet, and it is
likely that Lady Herbert will remain
with her relatives in New York until
late in the season.
The Russian ambassador, it is ru-
mored, is to select a new home, but at
the embassy nothing is known Of the
proposed removal.
The German ambassador is expected
to return here in November, when
some changes that will contribute to
the success Of his social entertainments
will be made in the embassy on Massa-
chusetts avenue. The italian embas-
sador and Signora Mayor des Planches
have taken possession Of their new en-
bassy on New Hampshire avenue, for
merly the home Of Mrs. Phebe Hearst.
There are two new titled attaches
to the Italian embassy, Count Vincenzo
Macchi di Callere and Count Giuseppe
della Gherardesca. Representatives of
most of the South American countries
are now in Washington and settled for
the winter.
White House Garden Spoiled.
Henry Ffeister, the veteran gardener
of the White House, has been driven
to despair by reason of the new i'm
proyements. The rose garden on the
eastern side of the mansion has for
the past eighty years been one Of the
most beautiful features of the grounds.
Each succeeding mistress Of the White
House has added to the collection, and
these plants have been carefully
marked and exhibited with pride to
visitors.
There were over 1000 rosebushes in
this collection, many of them rare
specimens. The eastern colonnade
now covers this beautiful spot, and
Mr.. Ffeister has been obliged to re-
move the center collection. Many Of
the older rosebushes died after trans
plantation, and it is doubtful if a spot
can be found suitable for their growth.
Many Of the plants are now at the
propagating gardens and at the agri-
cultural department.
The magnificent collection Of palms
in the White House conservatory has
also been scattered. The new green
houses, which will be erected at the
extreme southern end of the grounds,
will not afford accommodation for all
the decorative plants, so they will be
given temporary homes in the different
government buildings until suitable
Conservatives are erected near the
White House.
These palms, Mr.. Ffeister says, form
one Of the finest collections in the
world. Nearly a dozen Of them have
reached their centenary, and forty or
fifty more have passed seventy-fve
years. 1t is feared the change Of To-
cation will injure these tropical pets.
Mrs. Roosevelt has expressed the ut
most sollcltude that these palms and
the Towering plants shall be kept in
the White House, but the architects
plans permit no such provision. Some
few palms will be placed in the lobby
and main hall, but the fine collection
which added so materially to all the
state functions will be absent from
future entertainments.
Dinners at the British Embassy.
The list Of dinner givers, always a
large one at the capital, where dinners
play a role in politics as well as in So
cial life, will be swelled this winter by
the addition of many new names. EN-
bassador Herbert is a noted Amphitry-
on. His small dinners when he was