The Washington herald., 1907-12-29

it has been crowded with Social
- events.
With the exception Of the dinner given
on Monday night at the British Embassy.
when several Ambassadors and the Sec
rotary OF State and their wives and other
prominent people broke bread with the
British Ambassador and Mrs. Bryce,
those who have been socially busy the
past week have been the young married
couples and the young bachelors and
maids, with the scales weighing heavily
in the favor of the bevy Of debutantes
just launched and the college boys home
for the holidays.
Dances have been the order of the
night, these preceded by informal little
dinner parties.
Aside from these entertainments ar
ranged for the benefit OF the younger
set. all other functions have been de-
sultory and Insignificant
Friday. however. was rather busy
day, with d number Of small informal
teas. arranged mostly for the young ma
irons who have returned TO the parental
roofs for the holidays
Mrs. Robert Shaw Oliver, wife Of the
Assistant Secretary of War, was one of
the hostesses, entertaining in this man.
ner for Mrs. Joseph ChOate, jr., Of New
York Mrs. Charles Bell invited in a few
friends 10 renew their acquaintance with
her daughter. Mrs. Julian Ripley. of New
York. over the cup that cheers"
Mrs. Bryce, wife of the British Am
bassador, was also hostess at an in
formal tea that same Afternoon, when a
few friends were invited TO the embassy
TO meet Miss Ashton. the hostess sis
ter, who has just come over from Eng
land 10 spend some time here.
Another distinguished visitor who has
Joined the charmed circle of Washington
smart set within the past few days. is
Miss Carew, Mrs Roosevelt's sister. who
has been abroad for some years, and who
has now returned to spend the winter at
the White House, as she has previously
done one or two former winters.
While informal parties within the init
mate shrine of the home circle have
marked the past seven days. the seven 10
be ushered in with to-day's sun will be
altogether different. the difference being
the more marked by contrast.
Washington's formal mid-winter season
begins this week. the curtain to be run I'D
on New Years Day, when AL the world
and his wife" will pay their respects 20
the President, or as many, at least. as are
fortunate enough to hold the coveted piece
OF cardboard that will admit them to the
White House.
No other function in official life is
quite 50 interesting as this first large
gathering Of the year, when all the scat
tered ends, so 20 speak. are gathered to-
gether in a composite whole. All who are
in official life must perforce be on hand
all members Of the diplomatic corps. the
officers Of the army and navy. che justices
of the Supreme Court. and those OF the
District Court, with every other official
citizen within the city limits.
Many meet for the first time in the sea
son after the summer absences. and all
are in holiday humor. And, though TO
many the occasion is but the repetition
Of many preceding New Years, it is. in
way, fresh and interesting. for II is the
first Of series Of state affairs and comes
after lapse Of many months
In point of brilliancy this reception is
second to but one, the diplomatic recep-
ton, which will follow it a week and a
day later. The brilliancy Of the full court
uniforms Of the Ambassadors and Minis
ters IS one that occasion. of course. fur
Their supplemented by the beautiful even.
ing gowns and the sparkling Jewels of the
women present, and by the illumination
and the added charm that an evening
function always has over a daytime az
fab. But a New Years Day reception
has attractions Of its own which are not
TO be minimized.
The late Queen Victoria was Away.
fortunate enough to have perfect weather
or Queens weather." at any fete she
was TO honor; so with the President
New Years Day is always sunshiny.
The large drawing-rooms and East
Room of the White House, full Of an in
teresting assemblage of the Capitals rep
resentative society. and flooded witt
bright sunshine pouring in from all the
southern windows over the gay scene
makes a picture to many eyes quite as
attractive as the more brilliant scene OF
the evening function.
And then it's New Years Day, and tn,
ready greeting and the good wishes FOL
the coming year are on every tongue
with smile and hand clasp that make
1t good to be alive.
Two days later there Will be q musicale
at the White House. at the CUSTOMARY
hour, 10 o'clock, when a number of people
have been hidden TO hear q musical
programme in the East Room.
The music viii be preceded by a dinner
when the guests viii be recruited from
the younger set, many of the buds of this
season, with some OF the visiting youn,
college men. At this dinner Of course
Miss Ethel Roosevelt will be present
many Of the young guests who have beer
asked being her own particular friends.
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth may be saiC
to be quite recovered from her recen
operation, as she was able to be moved
TO her home on Thursday. and as tina
was just two weeks from the time o.
the operation she underwent the Gus
tomary length Of time supposed L
elapse in an appendicitis case, when hos
pital patients are put upon the conva
descent list. she may, doubtless, be con
sidered recovered.
OF course, Mrs. Longworth has befor,
her a more or less tiresome period o
rest waiting for the return of he