The Washington herald., 1907-02-24

TUST what effect the penitentlal sea-
son Of Lent is having on Washing
ton society seems hard to decide
with the uninterrupted succession
Of dinner parties and the occasional small
dance and more than one fashionable
wedding. with an unusually large and
fashionable attendance at the LEGAL thea
tiers, especially on Monday and Thursday
evenings.
Nearly every one in society claims TO
be giving up something. even though the
something does not, 20 the impartial OBJ
server. appear to include any particular
sacrifice. one very prominent hostess.
more noted for her aCidity of speech than
her love of her neighbors, on being asked
what she was giving up during Lent,
promptly replied. My Mondays" in so
joyous tone as to convulse with merri-
ment all who heard her.
To the credit of the same lady it may be
said she is also giving up dinner parties
at least those she does not care 10 at
tend
With the departure Of the President and
Mrs Roosevelt for few days visit in
New England, during which the former
viii attend a banquet Of the Porcelain
Club, and the wedding Of Mr. Matthew
Hale and Miss Piper. the White House is
occupied only by the two younger sons
Of the house, and the servants. Miss
Ethel Roosevelt accompanied her parents.
as also did Mrs. Nicholas LcngWOrth the
latter going to Boston for the two-fold
purpose of visiting her maternal grand
mother, Mrs. George Lee, and TO attend
the aforementioned wedding OF Mr.. Hale
and his bride. Mr.. Hale is Mrs Long
worth's cousin, his mother, like hers,
having been a Miss Lee Of the Boston
family OF that name.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt will.
on their return, give a larger dinner par
~ on Thursday evening. complimentary
to the Secretary Of the Treasury and Mrs.
Shaw, and the Secretary of the Interior
and Mrs. Hitchcock.
Mrs. Fairbanks will continue her stay
at Atlantic City for several weeks longer,
The air OF that resort and much needed
rest having already done much to restore
greatly impaired during the early season
by reason Of a severe attack of grip. Mrs.
Timmons, the Vice Presidents only
daughter, who is the head of her fathers
house during Mrs. Fairbanks absence,
has been confined to her room for the
greater part of two weeks by the au-pre-
vailing malady, but is again about. Mrs.
Timmons viii probably join Mrs. Fair
banks at Atlantic City III the coming
week. The youngest member. of this
household, two years old, Miss Edith Fair
banks, of Chicago, who has been in Wash
ington since Christmas 10 remove her
from the danger Of scarlet fever. which
prevailed 70 an alarming degree in her
home city, has returned TO her parents in
the care OF q nurse
The coming Of the British Ambassador
and Mrs. Bryce. following so closely on
that OF the Ambassador from Mexico and
Nine Creel, VIII give a new interest to
society, where both dignitaries and their
wives are bound TO receive the most cor
dial Of welcomes.
The newly appointed Postmaster Cen
eraI and Mrs. Meyer with their young
QUESTIONS to society and contribute ma
teTially 10 the gayety of the spring sea-
son.
Another handsome home is now raising
its walls in Washington, a half-million
structure, designed by Samson, Of Paris.
being under way for Mr.. and Mrs. Perry
Belmont. who viii make Washington their
latest addition to the modern palaces now
springing up in flattering numbers at the
National Capital is located slightly to the
northeast Of Dupont Circle. in the oppo-
site direction so much affected by many
milIionaires. who are building to the ex-
IRENE northwest. The lot alone cost
nearly 100000 and is a triangle formed by
New Hampshire avenue, r and Eigh-
tenth streets. The house viii be of n
diana limestone and the style Louis XIV,
with a frontage of $50 feet on New Hamp-
shire avenue and depth Of 100 feet There
viii be three stories and a basement. and
sub-basement. making an interior Of five
floors, with the main floor divided into
very large apartments, including picture
gallery, dining-ToOm. and several draw
inE-TOOms. Mr.. and Mrs. Belmont have
already proven themselves dignified and
generous hosts, and on the completion of
this new residence will undoubtedly con-
tribute even more generously to the sue
cess Of the Capitals social life.
There will be a perfectly arranged, If
small, garden laid out under the direction
OF Duchenes. also Of Paris Among their
immediate neighbOrs Mr.. and Mrs. Bel
mont viii have Mr.. and Mrs. George Van
derbilt. who have just taken a long lease
on a New Hampshire avenue residence;
AlT. and Mrs. Thomas Nelson Page, who
have an immense colonial home on r
street; Mrs. Levi Z. Letter, who IS on New
Hampshire avenue and Dupont Circle;
Commander and Mrs. Richardson Glover.
the former late of the American Embassy
in London, and Maj. and Mrs. Charles L.
McCawley.
The German Embassy was again the OBJ
jective point for smart society last even
ing. when the Baroness Won Sternburg
gave her second and last "at home" of the
season. for which cards were issued for
10 o'clock. The floral decorations. which
began in the lower hall and extended
throughout the entire drawing-room floor.
We're entirely in Easter lilies. with
background Of palms and ferns. An or
chestra played in the musicians gallery
of the ballroom, but there was no dane
ing The youthful hostess received in a
superb gown Of cream satin, drapped in
very old and choice renaissance lace. Her
ornaments consisted of a tiara of dia-
lnonds, with diamond necklace and
pendant of pearls and diamonds.
The several hundred guests who called
rvfv 44r-f.