The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-19
Special Dispatch to The Call

BERLIN. June IS.-American life in
Germany, and particularly IN Berlin, will
suffer a much regretted loss in the de-
paItUre next fall OF Hrs Frank H
Mason. wife Of the retiring United states
Consul General. who has been transferred
10 Paris as a reward for long and meri-
torious service in the consular branch
OF Uncle Sans foreign relations. Mrs.
Mason is known for her hospitality and
kindness from one end Of the United
States to the other, by reason CT having
''mUthered' hundreds of American girls
from every State and Territory in the
Union, who have been in Berlin during
the past seven years for the study of
music. art and languages. NOtwithstard-
ing that she il socially outranked by the
wife of The American Embassador, ac-
cOrding- TO the Hoyie of diplomatic Ell
cuette, she has ranked indispuJably as
the real head of the extensive American
colony IN the Kaisers capital. Her
pretty home in the smart Konigin Angus
Ia strasse is the center Of the season
most delightful musicales. teas and at
homes" and the common meeting ground
Of the hundreds of Uncle Sans eziles
here for temporary stays and who are
afforded no other opportunity Of knowing
and ningling with feilow-countryInen and
women. Mrs. Mason has made it her
particular bushes to look after the earn
est and ambitious American girls, who
come here unchaperoned to prepare for
various professional careers. She is tire
less and resourcefuI in inyenting ways
for minimizing their loneliness and in
facilitating their work and progress. She
is never too busy to introduce them IN
circles where acquaintance is everything
and 10 give them practical help along the
road to fame and honor. There are
numerous young artists now gathering
laurels in the United States who have
. Mrs. Mason 10 thank for invaluable kind
nesses done them in their struggling days
in Europe.
IL has been this desire to advance the
interests Of her young fellow-country-
women that induced Mrs. Mason on her
arrival here seven years ago TO interest
herself actively in the American Women
Club, an organization rounded primarily
for the housing and care Of American
girl students. Mrs. Mason has been the
brains OF the club A few nights ago the
club gave a brilliant farewell reception
in her honor. at which warm tributes
were paid by Mrs. Tower, wife of the
ambassador, and by other women who
are familiar with Mrs. Mason's prodigious
services to the club. She viii carry from
Berlin four magnificent candelabra of or
nate silver workmanship, as a slight
token Of the clubs appreciation Of her
OLc6i1aSli NOIk.
Mrs. Mason is an Ohioan and the
daughter of a well-known Ohio Jurist.
Judge Matthew Birchard. Fine old Eng
lish stock is hers. as she is a lineal
descendant Of sturdy Britons who crossed
TO the American colonies in search of re-
ligious ana political freedom 600 years
ago. Her family name. Birchard, recurs
frequently IN the annals of the Indian
and French wars in the New England
states. and any one who has known her
strong personality is not surprised 10
learn that Dutch and Huguenof blood
flowed in the veins Of her early progeni-
tors. In Cleveland, where her husband
was editor and part owner OF the Cleve-
land Leader. Mrs. Mason was promi-
nent IN social and charitable life, and
since her twenty-five years residence in
Europe. while her husband served as
Consul and Consul General, successfully
at Basic, Switzerland; Marseilles, France;
Frankfort-on-the-Ma and Berlin, she
has acquired an international reputation
as a woman who typifes In high degree
the cardinal virtues of American lan1inin-
itY-charm, tact, cordially and sympathy
of nature. Mrs. Mason is a music critic
of high attachments. a lover of art and
nature and an accomplished iinguist.