The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-16
SOCIETY in
WASHINGTON
BY GRACE PORTER HOPKINS.

EWASHlNGION, ~. C,, VIZ 70
short period OF official mourning oeihg
observed on account of the death OF
POSTMASTER General Payne. Is being hlled
with ir formal entertaining, small thea
ire parties and other quiet gatherings at
which men,, n,aids, and matrons talk O.
past pleasures aud plan for future gay
ely. The retirement Of Miss Louise Jones,
who. during her unclc's term OF ONCE az
Postmaster General, was accorded all tne
llonors Of a Cabinet belle. is being sin.
cerelv regretted, both OH her own ac-
count, and because her going VIII sun
further reduce the group OF cabinet
girls This charmed circle now includes
only Miss Wilson, daughter OF the Secre-
tary OF Agriculttre: Miss Shaw, daugh.
ter Of the Secretary OF the Treasury;
Miss Morton, daughter OF the Secretary
or the Navy, and the Misses Hitchcock,
daughters or the Secretary OF the lnr
terror.
Miss Wilson, who Is the only woman
OF tho original Mckinley Cabinet faini-
les. sill in official life, sailed for Eni-
rope on Saturiay, and will spend the
winter In Paris with tho daughter OF
Mi. and Mrs. Thomas II. Welsh. Her
departure reduces the list of Cabinet
1iostcsses rs we'll as Cabinet daughters,
ss she is the head of her fathers house
and entitled TO a place In the receivins
line mt all state functions given at the
White House. Miss Shaw Is moro given
TO books than 10 the pleasures OF So
ciety. and Miss Morton is yet n debu-
tante. Tho Misses Ann and Margaret
Hitchcock Will, therefore, bear alone the
burden of maintaining iii the younger
fet, the prestige of the Cabinet dansh-
ters in society. The responsibility isIsafe
With them. In fact, 1t could not have
fallen into hands better equipped, since
both young ladies' entered Washington
life fresh from social successes at ST.
Petersburg, where they made their debut
while their father was American Am-
bassador to Russia. They have now
been In Washington several seasons. and
lave added new lanrels TO their fame
ar charming examples OF the %cosmopoli-
tan American GIL,
Mrs. Payne Whitney, daughter Of the
Secretary OF State, and the first bride
OF tho present administration, Is enter
itaining III her New York home, the
Countess margarine Cassini.s hostess OF
The Russian Embassy. The mueh-feted
young Countess Will also visit 4-rs.
James w. Wadswortl,, Jr., the sister OF
ington for the season. Her uncle. the
Russian Ambassador, re-opened the Ems
hassy this week. after spending the
summer at Bar Hnrbor. I
The list OF Cabinet ladies at the Capt
tai has grown during the past few days
by the arrival of Mrs. Mstcaif, wife
hor. and Mrs. TAFT. wife Of the Secretary
of War. The latter has taken possession
of her new home. on Il street, and Is
rapidly getting settled for the winter.
For days before and after her arrival In
Washington. boxes and trunks began TO
come from the Taft home In Cincinnati.
from the Philippines. where the Judge
prior to their entering the Cabinet Cir
cic, and from their summer home in
Canada. These personal belongings give
nm individuality To even a temporary
home and bespeak he artistic taste Of
:..e owners. Tn specimens OF oriental
handiwork gathered in and around Man..a
are particularly beautiful These include
wonderful examples of teakwood carv-
ings which compare f%avorably with the
famous pieces brought some years ago
from India by Senator William NJ Stew
art, of Nevada, for stewart Castle" in
this city.
AIRS. Taft is more than pretty, she is
irresistibly fascinating. and has ALREADY!
made a lasting Impression upon those
WHO have met her since her advent into
official life. a woman of broad learn
,ng and culture imbibed through genera
tons OF distinguished ancestry. she is
democratic and yet reserved, a brilliant
oonvcreationnlist and yet n good listen
or. That she Will he a distinct addition
10 official society, none can doubt,
Brigad!er General E. p. Ewers. U. s..
a, and Mrs. Ewers arc making IN extern.
sivc tour through the South and West.
General Ewers and his wife left the city
in April. ylsiting the Fair at st. Louis.
en- route to Spokane and Portlan d They,
were entertained by the Generals rela-'
tives In various parts OF California. snd.
after stopping to visit interesting places
in the Southwest they have reached Mrs.
Ewers's home. In Kentucky, whence they
Will proceed 10 Washington.
When the British Ambassador and his
staff reassemble here, they Will be ac-
companied by Mr.. Arthur Raikes, than
whom none is more popular in the d!plo-
matte corps. Mr.. Raikes has served the
Crown In several capacities in Washing
ton. and so well has performed his tasks,
that his colleagues are inclined to give
cledence to the persistent reports npropos
10 his transfer to Il higher berth,
The President OF the Southern Railway
md Mrs. Samuel Spencer are again in
tho city, after spending tho summer IN
Europe. and have opened their hand
some new home near Sheridan Circle.
Mrs. Sheridan. for whose husband, Gem
cral Phil. Sheridan, thes circle is named.
SIS also at home for the fall season. She
Is accompanied by her daughter, Miss
Alice.
Among other near neighbors OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Spencer this winter will 70 Mr.. and
Mrs. Larz Anderson. whose splendid
new home Is nearing completion. and,
which. when ready for occupancy, VIII
be ono Of the show places of the city.
Mrs. Anderson, who was formerly Miss
lisa belle PERKINS, OF Boston, was at the
time OF her marriage, reputed the rich
est girl III America. Both she and her
husband have spent much time in Wash,
ington as tho guests OF the %latter's par
ents. but this Is tho first time they have
had a home OF their own IN this city.
and great things arc expected OF them
socially when once they have establish,
ed their wine and 'fig tree Above all