Evening star., 1902-01-02
THE WORLD OF SOCIETY
SEASON OF OFFICIAL HosPITALITIEs
Is NOW on.
First State Dinner Takes
Place Tonight-A Dance at "The
Oaks"-Tfmely Personal Notes.

Place Tonfght-A Dance at "The
Oaksr-TfmeIy Personal Notes.
A misunderstanding which is particularly
annoying to the officials who were at the
White House reception yesterday appears
to have arisen from the fact that Lady
Pauncefote, the wife of the British ambas-
sador, with the embassy staff, held the
place of honor at the head of the dfplo-
matte line as the reception began. The rule
LIN such cases is quite clear and well estab-
lished in precedents, namely, that the am
bassador present longest in continuous serv-
| ice at the capital shall head the line 1t
was through an act of gallantry and gra-
ciousness on the part of the German am
bassador himself that this rule was not ap-
piled yesterday. Lady Pauncefote Informed
the German ambassador of the fact of her
husbands Illness, and of her recognition of
the further fact that he Herr Won Holle-
ben, was for the day dean of the diplo-
matte body. But the ambassador declined
to take advantage Of his position, and HIM
self assigned to Lady Pauncefote the place
she occupied at the head of the line with
the embassy staff.
The President and Mrs Roosevelt Will
give their first state dinner tonight, which
is in honor Of the cabinet. The number to
be present permits the use of the state din
ing room. The other state dinners-for the
diplomatic corps and the judiciary-will be
given in the east room the first time that
apartment has been used for this purpose.
The change is considered an improvement
and better for service than the use of the
corridor. where the large dinners have been
given of late years
The President rounded out very busy
day by visiting the National Theater last
night to witness Francis Wilson in The
Toreador.' 1t was strictly family party
the President being accompanied by Mrs
Roosevelt and the children.
A dance at The Oaks always a joyful
anticipation by the young friends of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry f. Blount, was made the
occasion there last night of large and
pleasant gathering. Theatricals which had
| been planned We're abandoned and the en-
tire evening given UP to dancing. The
house was decked out with holiday greens
and poinsetta blooms. The sons of Mr.. and
Mrs. Blount and the guests of the family,
Miss Aimee Nesbit of Kalamazoo. Mich;
Miss Elizabeth Adams of Springfield,
Mass: Miss de Cordova of New York and
Miss Helen Sears Of Chicago assisted the
host.
Miss Edes' tea yesterday was brilliant
event and reproduced. with the addition of
a most welcome feminine visiting contin-
gent, the hospitable scenes which We're
transpiring in the neighboring cabinet
homes. The hostess had receiving with her
Mrs. Charles Bromwell, Mrs. Walter Scott
Andrews, Miss Mckenna, Miss Ashton,
Miss Loring and Miss Childs. while Miss
Glover presided over the bowl of eggnog
and Mrs Lothrop Bradley and Miss Patten
were vis-a-vis at the fiower-decked table in
the dining ROOM Resident and official fam
lilies and diplomats charmingly represented
the fashionable world of the capital,
changing good wishes with this popular
1.,rt NJ~r, 1, h.,
ing holiday visit to her parents, and Miss
Blount. who is in New York this winter for
art study, both left last night for New
York
Mis- Edna Dodge Of 1o3 Kentucky avenue
southeast entertained her young friends
Tuesday December 81. Those present We're
Mr.. and Mrs. Dodge and the Misses Fran
kie, Jessie and Ruth Jenkins. Edythe Lowry,
Madeline Atchison, Ethel Symonds, Nellie
Healy, Edythe Upper and the Messrs Neil
WolcOtt, William Morton. Selby Burch,
Owen Briggs, Vernon Burdine, Perry Patti
son, Edward Oldham, Hugh Jenkins and
Master Walter Dodge.
Miss Laura Sinclair gave n New Year eve
party in honor of her cousin Miss Mary
|. Esther of Mt. St. Agnes Convent who is
spending the holidays in Washington.
Among those present We're the Misses Ma
bel and BERTHE King, Ida and Florie Pruitt,
Anna Masterson, Edna Soper, Virginia
Hanake, Mabel Hoskns, Carrye Hanake,
Virginia Gaskins, Grace Newman, Sadie
Topley, Isabelle Sinclair, Nora Rundlett,
Mamie Esther. and Messrs. Robbie Hud-
son, Edward Darby, Harry Sinclair. Will
Topey. Joe Kuhn, Charlie Stricken, Claude
Neis. Frank Carr, Frank Tucker George
and Harry Esther Harry Lunsford, Charlie
Magruder, Nelson Parker and Finley and
Richard Sinclair, brothers of the hostess.
A surprise party was given to Mr. and
Mrs. Geo. w. Byram of 1921 3Oth street
northwest New Year eve. Among those
present were the Misses G. Stone, S. Stone,
l.. Haller, B. Smith and Miss Saliie Sulli
van of Baltimore. Mr.. and Mrs. William
Haller, Mr.. and Mrs. Thos. Whelan, Mr..
and Mrs. Thos. Carroll, Mr.. and Mrs. Geo.
w. Stone, Mr.. Joseph Whelan and Master
Willie Whelan. Dancing and games were
enjoyed until late hour, after which re-
freShmentS were served.
Colonel Henry Martin Porter entertained
at dinner last evening at the Arlington
Representative Harris Foster of Vermont
and his wife and Miss Porter daughter of
General Fitz John Porter.
Mrs. Somers, Mrs. Eddy and Miss Jose
phine Eddy will be at home Fridays dur
ing January, at 11O0 NJ street.
Mrs. Philip Van Sickles is making a
short visit to her parents, DIR. and Mrs
Otho Magruder Muncaster, 500 10Th street
Mrs. MuncaSter and Mrs. Van Sickles will
be at home Saturday afternoon, 3 to G.
Mrs. Col. Murei and Mrs. Herrin received
yesterday at the home of the former 1888
l. street, and had many callers.
Mrs. David Jayne Hill and Mrs J. Dor
man Steele, Mrs. and the Misses Lang
horne, Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Draper will be
hostesses at teas this afternoon. Tonight
at the New Willard Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
NJ Gale will give a dance for their daueh-
ter, Miss Olive Gale.
Senator and Mrs. Hanna and Justice,
Hagner gave dinners last night
Mrs. Fitch entertained debutantes of the
winter, friends of Miss Emile Fitch, at a
luncheon today.
A very pretty home wedding was that
of Miss Clara Orme Lbbey and Mr.. s
Clinton Cropley, which took place at the
residence of the brides father, Mr.. j. Ed
ward Libbey, No. 3Oo3 street. Tuesday,
December 81. 1901. The ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. j. d. Kinzer, in the
presence of the families of the contract
ing parties only, which alone filled the
large and beautiful parlors of the old
homestead. Mr.. and Mrs. Cropley received
many congratulations and good wishes