The courier., 1902-11-08

been few social diversions this week,
and next week promises little. A coming
event of interest is the society ball to be
given by the city improvement society
on the twenty-first.
The society leaders of the various cit
les Of the United States will emerge
from their shell of localism during the
coming winter, says the Washington
correspondent of the Inter-Ocean, and
will divide their time between the social
gatherings in their home city and those
~ the national capital.
II has now been definitely agreed that
the White House shall set the pace for
the whole country, and that the coming
season will see the birth of a new ma
tional society.
Social life this season will be unlike
social life at any other period in the
history of our nation. 1t will be national
in character.
Washington will be the brilliant center
from which fashionable life in it's en-
tirety will radiate.
The residence Of the President will be
the meeting place on common ground
Of the social leaders Of the nation, and
the executive circle will be not only the
center of official society, but of society
in general. The cabinet ladies will not
compete for social leadership, because
they will not dominate society. 1t will
be national.
New York, Philadelphia Chicago, Bal
timore, Boston, and every other Amer
lean city whose brilliant social programs
have attracted attention as soon as an
nounced because of their social prom
/enence, will all send their leading repre-
'sentatives to take part in the gatherings
at the capital. The millionaire families
will find an official leader in Lady Her
bert, wife Of the British Ambassador.
Lady Herbert is the daughter of the
Wilson's, sister-in-law to the Wander
bilts, the Astors, and through marriage
she is connected with the Presidents
family. and with the Secretary of State.
The British embassy, newly remodeled,
is one of the most finely appointed man
sions in the capital Next to the White
House it will he the center of official and
(social life.
Mrs. Roosevelt has announced that the
executive mansion will be ready for the
formal opening of society about the first
of January. In the meantime, with the
assistance of her daughter, Miss Alice
Roosevelt, she is making up most
wonderful society calendar.
Mrs. Knox, the wife of the Attorney
General, no doubt will be the stoutest
ally of the Presidents wife in her social
reign. Mrs. Hay, never socially inclined,
will merely lend her presence in the for
NAL line at the White House. as she will
still wear mourning for her son.
Mrs. Shaw, wife of the Secretary of
the Treasury, is willing to do what she
xxyil "a N
Europe, leaving Miss Root to preside
over the Root household, but not to take
Mrs. Roots place in cabinet circles. The
Secretary Of the Navy is a bachelor.
Mrs. Payne, wife Of the Postmaster
General, is an accomplished woman, and
with rugged health no doubt would take
an active part in official society, but on
- account Mrs. Roosevelt last winter
abandoned the old custom of hand-shak-
ing. Mrs. Payne is afflicted with rheu-
matism, and half hour in line with the
vigorous American public glad to see
her, would send her to the rear in an
guish.
Mrs. Hitchcock, though accomplished
and interesting, shrinks from the de-
mands Of official society. Miss Wilson.
daughter of the Secretary Of Agriculture,
has taken upon herself the double task
of taking rank as the hostess of the
house and still claiming from younger
society the attention paid the daughters
Of other cabinet officers.
Dancing will be the chief entertain
ment for the younger contingent, with
Miss Roosevelt leading in enthusiasm.
There will be not less than forty-five
debutantes. headed by Miss Anna Wing
CockreII dauOhfer of Senator COckrell