Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-26

The Washington Fencing Club seems
doomed to decay. 1t has been without
president for more than a year. and it has
moved its quarters into rooms" This De-
cause of the departure of its president.
Count Cassini. and the absence from its
fascinating halls Of the Countess Cassini.
its hostess.
Count Cassini, former Russian ambassa-
dor to this country, whose social record
here will not be forgotten for many years.
is as deeply regretted in the fencing club
as he Is in the diplomatic circle. He was
the first president of the fencing club and
one of its organizers. It is composed of
the very smartest members of Washington
society. The clubs quarters was quaint
house on 10th street at the head of fash
ionable Jefferson place, and many were the
smart functions given by the club, with the
Countess Marguerite Cassini. the counts
famous niece and adopted daughter, doing
the honors as hostess. After the departure
of the count for his new post at Madrid
the members deferred action Of electing his
successor. Soon after this the club was
literally frozen out of its pretty quarters,
which they had improved and beautified.
and was obliged to take refuge elsewhere.
They are now occupying quarters in the
office building at the corner of Vermont
avenue and H street, which is severe blow
to the pride of the ultra-smart members.
This looks almost like the death-knell to
the once brilliant and exclusive fencing
club. which occupied such an important
position In the seasons gayety from the
time of it's organization until the departure
of the really beloved Russian ambassador.
He Is one of the most cultivated and ac-
complfshed men who ever had part In the
kaleidoscope society of the national capital.
The fair Marguerite was one of the most
W
there were scores of other society girls
among the fencers. there were none who
could reach her skill.
Invitations to the afternoon teas of this
favorite Organizatio were much coveted
missives, and were as good as the social
register to show the, roster of Washington's
smart set.
The foils are hung upon the walls now
the dust is over everything. and there are
not even any ghosts to chronicle the past
brilliance and gayety of the rooms. which
were the favorite meeting place of diplo-
mats. officials and bellies. The ghosts are
all in the former haunts where the genial
ity of Count Cassini and the wit of the
countess are in the atmosphere.
Some sanguine members hope a new and
equally important president will be elected
this fall when the fencing master. M. OAR
ieulat, returns to town and opens the
rooms. but the thinking members do not
hesitate to say that the brilliant days Of
the Washington Fencing Club are past.
An interesting engagement is that which
Mr.. and Mrs. Seth Low of New York
announce of their niece, Miss Helena Pei
ham Curtis, a daughter of the late Benja-
min r. and Mary Gardner Curtis, to Mr..
Gouverneur Morris Phelps. Miss Curtis
sister Mary married Mr.. David Allen in
Cambridge last April at the house of the
Misses Horsford, her aunts. The young
girls are granddaughter of the late Prof.
Horsford of Harvard College. Mr.. Phelps
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Phelps
Of Glen Ellen" New Rochell N. Y. His
mother was Kate Morris.
The Marchese Emilio San Germano and
the marchesa, who have been at Breton
marriage, sailed from New York yesterday
on the Koenig Albert for Naples and will
go to their villa in Arpino, on the road be-
tween Naples and Rome.
Congratulations are pouring in upon
Lieut. Commander. and Mrs. William 8.
Sims upon the arrival of little daughter,
who presented herself Sunday morning. The
lieutenant commander and Mrs. Sims are
making their summer home with Mrs. Sims
parents Secretary of the Interior and Mrs.
Hitchcock. and it is there that the new
grandbaby is at home. The marriage OF
this popular officer and his wife was the
most important social event of Washington
last fall, the wedding taking place at st.
Johns Church, with President and Mrs.
Roosevelt and all the members Of the cab
lHeL, SOuIl ctiHDdNoSdOOIS
and ministers. and other notable people.
present.
The first intimation Of White House social
affairs for the winter was given yesterday
when Capt. Frank r. Mccoy, Sd Cavalry,
now at Lewisport Pa, on leave of absence,
was assigned to special duty at the White
House, for the coming winter, as military
aid to the President. Capt. Mccoy, a grad
uate of West Point in $685. received his
commission second lieutenant in the 9Th
Cavalry in 1897. He became first lieuten-
ant In 1901 and was transferred to the 10th
Cavalry. Three years ago he was made
captain and assigned to the Sd Cavalry.
Cards have been issued for the marriage
of Miss Emily Van Talia ferro and Mr.. Tur-
ner Smith. which will take place in st. An
drew's Episcopal Church at o'clock on
the afternoon of September 5.
The United States ambassador to Mexico
and Mrs. David E. Thompson were ten
dered performance of the drama "Cuauh-
temoc." played by Francisco Cardona and
Virginia Fabrigas de Cordona at the Rena-
cimiento Theater, in the City Of Mexico, on
the evening of August II.
A brilliant audience filed the house at an
early hour. and promptly at $50 o'clock the
ambassador and Mrs. Thompson arrived
to take their places in the presidential
box. which. had been enlarged and deco
"a ted for the occasion. and to which they
were escorted by Maj. Heimke. second sec
rotary of the embassy, and Maj. Alexis X.
Paxton, naval attache.
Gen. Porfiro Diaz. President Of Mexico.
and Mrs. Carmen Romero Rubo de Diaz,
who will be so pleasantly remembered by
Washingtonians, were the last to join tine
box party, which included the vice presi-
dent and Mrs. Coral. Miss Campbell, Mrs
Williams of Denver, Mrs. e. N. Brown.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. r. Hudson, Miss Willis
and Mr.. Jose Algara.
Sir Mortimer Durand, the British am
bassador who has been staying with the
governor general of Canada and Lady Grey,
at Ottawa, will return to Lenox tonight for
the remainder of the season, being Joined
en- route by his daughter, Miss Josephine
Durand who has been the guest of Col.
and Mrs. Robert Shaw Oliver, at Murray
Bay.
Newport Is getting ready to entertain the
Duchess Of Marlborough. Consuelo Wander