The San Francisco call., 1907-02-24
.CAL|FORN|ANS HONORED
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
Mrs. Metcalf, Miss Perkins
and Mrs. Flint Give
Many Dinners
GAY SEASON CLOSES
Some Brilliant Events Are
Enjoyed Before the Ad
vent of Lent
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s.-The early
arrival of Lent this year rung down the
curtain on one of the most brilliant So
ciaI seasons that has distinguished the
capital for many years. and the final
squirt before dts close was marked by
several functions of notable interest
given by the coterie of prominent wo-
men known as California hostesses."
The term has grown up from the fact
that these women, led by Mrs. Metcalf,
wife of the Secretarysof the Navy, have
always reserved one day in each week
for the entertainment of visitors from
California. and those Californians who
have made Washington their home dur
ing the sessions of Congress.
Mrs. Metcalf, who as wife of the Sec
retary of Commerce and Labor was
noted for her brilliant gatherings, has,
since she moved nearer the head of. the
presidential receiving line, become
more and more popular as a dinner
hostess, till one of her invitations is
priced perhaps as much as any wo-
mans in public life.
Her last public dinner, in honor Of
President and Mrs. Roosevelt, was for
days the boast of her fortunate guests,
and the envy of the unfortunates for
whom her table had not room
The distinguished gathering included
Justice Moody, Assistant Secretary OF
the Navy and Mrs. Trueman II. New
berry. Representative T. Fl. Gillett of
Massachusetts, Mr.. Hanna, Miss
Boardman, Mr.. and Mrs. James r. Gar
field Mr. and Mrs. Jennings and Mr..
and Mrs. Guy Norman. The occasion
was to celebrate the redistribution OF
the Cabinet portfolios.
On Saturday, February 8, Mrs. Met
Of II
and Mrs Newberry and Mrs. Taft, wife
of the Secretary of War, sailed on the
Mayhower Tor a three weeks cruise
among the southern navy stations, ex-'
recting to make a short visit to Ha-
vana, Cuba The Mayfiower will be
gone three weeks
Miss Pansy Perkins. daughter of Sen
ator Perkins, a prime favorite among
the Californians, and considered one of
the most charming of the younger
hostesses in the capital, welcomed the
relaxation of Lent after the many teas
and luncheons graced by that charm
ing young lady recently. Her luncheon
to Miss Erma Shaw, daughter OF the
retiring Secretary of the Treasury, was
hailed as one of the most notable de-
butante luncheons of the year. 1t was
given at Rauschers, with covers laid
for twenty-four of the seasons buds"
In order to make everything as new
and fresh as possible for the social
neophytes. Miss Perkins stipulated that
all her decorations should be of rose
buds, and the ensuing profusion OF
half-opened pink roses excited perfect
chorus of "ohs" and "ahs" from the
delighted guests.
CALIFORNIA GIRLS FETED
The cluster of fragile pink blossoms
which garnished each plate at the
luncheon given by Miss Perkins were
caught in loops of wide pink ribbon
which radiated from the centerpiece of
pink roses and ferns. Miss Shaw was
felicitated on her gallant start as
social success, and good luck for the
beginners" was the order of the day.
The guests were Miss Erma Shaw and
Miss Shaw; Miss Whitney of Oak
land, CAL; Miss Grunsky, Mrs Tim
mons, Miss Dietrich, Miss Grace
Allen, the Misses James, Miss Ander-
son, Miss Fleming, Miss Bevan, the
Misses Seymour, Miss Needham, Miss
Annie Rose Walker. Miss Calderon;
Miss Newlands, daughter Of Senator
Newlands of Nevada Miss Halford,
Miss Archibald and Miss Millard.
daughter of Senator Millard of Ne
braska.
Miss Perkins received at the Wednes-
day cat homes of Mrs. Flint, wife of
|
son, and at the, last one Mrs. Flint and
Miss Perkins were further aided by
Mrs Danskin.
Mrs Flint has established, with her
attractive, informal dinners, the repu-
tation much sought after in this city
of numerous dinners, of being able to
assemble just the right kind of people.
The average victim of Washington's
| dinners, tedious and formal, the atmos-
phere tense and electrical, lest a
| diplomatic blunder" be made has well
| coined the hospitality of Senator and
Mrs Flint as veritable deliverance.
One of the popular visitors in
Washington who has been the recipi-
ent of many social honors is Miss Ethel
Moore of Oakland, California, guest
| Of Mrs Frank B. Vrooman, daughter of
General John c. Black, of Eighteenth
street Mrs Vrooman gave a valentine
| luncheon for Miss Moore on the 14th
and the California social delegation
was represented fully. Miss Perkins
/ and Miss Grunsky both contributed to
the general gayety. The spirit of the
day was carried out in the decorations
and favors.
Mr.. and Mrs George Whittell of San
Francisco have been generously feted
| during their visit here. They were the
! guests of honor at a dinner given by
| Mr. and Mrs. George T. Marye and
| among the guests were the Misses
Shonts Miss Anna Walker, Miss Ide.
Miss Enrol Cuthbert Brown, Miss
Eleanor Terry, Mrs. Hancock, Miss
Doyle, Colonel John Biddle, ]. o. Sic
bert, Frederick May, Mr.. Benavides DIR.
John Cabell and DR.. Taylor Dixon.
Mrs. c. E. Grunsky, one of the most
beloved of the Washington hostesses,
gave a dinner in honor of Mr.. and Mrs.
Whittell to which were invited Sena-
tor and Miss Perkins and Mr.. and Mrs.
Hatch of California.
ENTERTAINS CALIFORNIANs
| Mrs Grunsky has been entertaining
| the Misses Henrietta and Lillian Stadt-
muller of San Francisco, guests of Miss
| Grunsky, and who left recently for New
York. While her visitors were here
Mrs. Grunsky entertained at many In
| formal dinners, for which she has be-
come noted in the capital circles. Her
Thursdays "at home" have always at
tracted a bevy of Californians and
| Western people.
Mrs. George T. Marye, whose weekly
dinners. at which her native land of
California is always generously repre-
| sented, have become a feature of the
! cacfa1 life hare had bar o,.ac+ of