The Washington herald., 1906-11-18

With the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
absent for another week. the White House
viii continue to be deserted as at mid
summer. Little. If any social incidents
viii be found IN the official circles not
withstanding the fact that the past week
has seen the reopening Of the majority
of official homes.
The Vice President returned 20 his
home on Farragut Square Friday evening
for a short stay en- route from Indian
apolis to Florida, where he is to make a
speech next week He was not accom-
panied by Mrs. Fairbanks, who is still at
their Indianapolis home. but may join
him here In time TO take the proposed
Southern trip.
In any event, she will be in Washing
ton for Thanksgiving Day, when they ex-
pect to be established here for the sea
son. Lieut.. and Mrs. Timmons, who re-
turned to town a short time ago. have
given up their former home. on lie Roy
place, and will pass the season with the
Vice President and Mrs. Fairbanks.
Mr.. and Mrs Frederick Fairbanks.
whose romantic marriage Of a month OF
more ago. is still a matter Of interest,
viii probably make their home in Spring
field Ohio, where the former recently
established himself in business.
Mrs. Root viii leave tomorrow for
short visit to New York, but is now es-
tablished fer the season at her new resi-
dence. 80 Rhode Island avenue, her
handsome home, for the first time
The Secretary Of War and Mrs. Taft
are entertaining for few days. Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft have as their guests Mr.. and
Mrs. de Bonard. Of Cincinnati, whose re-
cent marriage in Cincinnati. was one OF
that city's most important autumn we'd
dings.
In addition to the schedule Of White
House dinners and receptions announced
some tine ago, most OF the Cabinet
hOstesses have already arranged their
dates for their formal dinner parties, the
most important. Of course, being that in
honor Of the President and Mrs. Roose-
Welt
The Secretary Of State and Mrs. Root
will open their series with a distinguished
company on Thursday, December %, 10
be followed by the other members Of the
Cabinet. As these official hosts number
nine. and there are only seven Thursdays
between December 20 and the close of
the social season on February 13. several
of the Presidential dinners will go over
10 the spring season, which each year
becomes more important and interesting
While all hCstesses agree that a Presi-
Dental dinner party is an official function
and should be properly reported as such.
there is a great change in the attitude
on the subject of general entertaining
In consequence, comparatively few dinner
companies will find their way into print
in the coming winter.
A change which, however disappointing
TO the reading public has the sanction ana
appreciation Of the leading host and hos
tess Of the Official and resident world.
Many wise hostesses besides Mrs. Root
will begin their entertaining in Decem-
ber. when an unusual number Of dinner
parties which are already being planned
to speed the going and welcome the COM
ing officials with genuine regret or ex-
treme cordiality as the occasion demands.
Sir Mortimer and Lady Durand. the
Secretary Of the Treasury and Mrs Shaw.
the Secretary Of the Interior and Mrs.
Hitchcock are all receiving most crafty
ing attentions from their friends, while
among the arrivals the japanese Am
bassador and NiscoUntess AO6i bid fair to
rival the most popular buds and brides Of
the season. who thus far have occupied
p.lite attention of the early season.
The return to town Of Senator and Mrs.
Murray Crane, and Representative and
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth. will he the
signal for a number Of smart dinner par
ties among the particular friends Of these
two young matrOns.
Numerous companies. intended for Mr..
and Mrs. Lougworth last spring, have
been crowded of the cards: while Senator
anc Mrs. Crane. who were married in
July, have had absolutely no time to re-
ceive the acknowledgment Of the goodwill
of their Washington friends.
The return of the ambassadors from
Italy and Brazil, with the arrival of the
Russian Minister TO Mexico and Nine
dc WolIant. and Lady Johnstoue, wife Of
the British Minister TO Denmark, among
the weeks most distinguished visitors. in
Belgian Legation on Monday afternoon.
and the first dinner party Of the season
at the German Embassy last evening.
have afforded the chief social incidents in
diplomatic circles.
There is also the continued interest in
the successor of Sir Mortimer Durand.
which will change the entire personnel Of
the British Embassy.
As regards the latter subject. the dis
patches from London repeat their mes
sage Of a week ago, that no successor
has been selected. This leaves still fur
ther time for the interesting discussion OF
the chances Of Hon. Gerard Lowther, the
recently knighted Sir Sprig-Rice, or Sir
Alan Johnstone. all Of whom are possible
ambassadors and all former secretaries OF
legation or embassy in Washington.
Mr.. LOwtheT is the more recent mem
Der of the American staff Sir Cecn
Sprig-Rice, who was first secretary Of
legation under Lord Pauncefote when
President Roosevelt was Civil Service
Commissioner, would. it is believed. be a
particularly gratifying selection 20 the
President, who has never allowed the
friendship Of their earlier years to lapse
The British diplomat is now British Min
lister at Teheran. He enjoyed much the
same relation 10 the President as did
Baron Speck Won Sternberg when he was
promoted from the post of consul general
at Calcutta to Ambassador at Washing
ton
The last visit Of Sir Cecil Sprig- Rice TO
the United States was in February 1905,
when he came from London 70 spend
twenty-fOur hours in Washington, with
the time about equally divided between