The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-02-12
At THE
NATIONS CAPITAL
(By Catherine Altman
Washington, February


The social game goes on at the same
lold merry pace. and the fact that ASH
Wednesday looms in the near future
seems To have given an added zest TO
the fleeing gaities. The season OF or
fetal entertaining closed in a resplen-
dent blaze OF glory when the Army
and Navy circles were received al the
White House on Thursday night. This
reception is second in brillianCy only
TO the one given to- the diplomats at
the opening of the season, and, ike
most good things is reserved for the
latter part of the official program. For
who can resist the destinations OF u
daShing uniform. not 10 mention the
youth and g~ullantry, worldly Courte-
sizes and SAVIOR faire' thai so with il?
The guests caue early, and the STATE
.ly old home of presidents was again
radiant with beauty, music and laugh
ter. Formally was laid aside, Young
Ilieutenants dashed about paying cage
court TO popular bellies, supercilioqs
captains g.lzcd upon the scene with
tolerant condeScenSion and dclgncd
to drop Il word here and h re 10 IA
dies who frankly sought 10 entertain
these lOrdly cavaliers, while majors
antd colOntels, inclined tot ~embOnpo!nt
and giddy young debutauges maui
ged in airy p~ersifage. paid glowing
compliments and grow young again
amid the scenes festivities. The
president and Mrs. Roosevelt seemed
in unusually good spirits and Joined
heartily in the merriment. The re-
ceiying line was depicted, as has been
the case al winter, but the Blue Room
ro. All : i~n- hono~ad 1naGts
among whom were General Frederick
Dent Grant and Mrs. Grant, who were
guests of Secretary of State and Mrs.
Root.
Preparatory to leaving Washington
Mr.. and Mrs. Theodore ShOnts gave one
of the most important private dances
of the season from a social standpoint.
The entertainment was in honor OF
their two younS daughters who ave
been the recipients OF 50 much attel-
ton throughout the winter. The en-
tire lower floor OF til il large house on
New Hampshire avenue WAS arranged
for the dancers, pink being the domi-
nantt color note Of al tine 'tp,vl-
ments. roses and rrChius r,inc ~se,, N
effective and lavish decoration. Tan
figures were danced. Mr.. Geo. Howard
leading the c0tillion. The favOrs
were exceptionally petty and there.
was Il great variety. TT the ladies
there were silver h&tpin holders tied
in pink ribbons, tiny goldfish pendant
from the ends of thread-lili' ribbons
OF pink, novelty pin cushions OF lace
decorated with Dresden r0sebuds
French handbags OF embroidered bro
cade, Japanese dolls and Chinese fans
ed hat brushes, fiat unique shaving
pads, and miniature Panama hats tied
i'm pink ribbons.
Mrs. ShontS wore a creation Of pink
satin, the bodice of which was draped
with black maEine fastened TO the cor
with two beautiful silver roses.
Miss Theodore Shonts wore a handsome
'So"A vi Willie WIS IIC Z !
of the gracefully trained skirt. Miss
Marguerite Shonts was charming in a
gown of white satin palliotted in white !
marked in tiny brilliants in a
dainty ros design. Among the guests
were the German Ambassador and Bar
oness Won Sternburg, the Ambassador
from Russia and Baroness ROsen, the
DoniSh mjnicfar tho Hon hat11 {
Pauncefote, Representative and Mrs.
Longworth, Mrs. Marshall Field, n !,
Mrs. George Vanderbilt.
AprCpos Of the numerous cotillions
hat have beer the favOrite mode OF
entertainment for the past month, it
is said that the faVors in many cases
brazenly shown the utilinarism
of the age, shocking many Of the guests
who nevertheless consent to accept the
At one notable entertainment
given by newcomers TO the Washing
ton colony of outsiders the bellies re-
ceived picture hats with gorgeous curl
ing plumes, feather boas and muffs n
silver mounted chatalline bags, wn1le
partners received emlnently
practical souvenirs OF the joyous oc-
casion, consisting of suit cases ana UNI
One hostess with more sener-
Osity than good taste gave full sets of
exquisite French underwear, shocking
her conservative guests many OF whom
however, would consider a dozen pair- :
Of silk hose as rather an ordinary ia
10 be given either al dances or at