The Washington herald., 1908-01-12


season. for in it occurred the
diplomatic reception. Washing
tons most brilliant state affair, the first
Bachelors ootilnon, and the first Monday
evening dance.
This week win witness the largest OF
all the state dinners, when the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt will be hosts to the
diplomatic corps.
While this is a function solely of interest
TO the Chief Executive and HIS wife and
TO the heads of missions in the diplo-
matte corps, the coming of grand opera
is one thing to look forward to, for many
will take advantage of being hereto hear
more good music.
Of course. the society devotees viii also
take in the opera. and box parties viii be
feature Of the weeks entertainment
The Secretary of State and Mrs Root
viii also give their dinner to the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt, so that. as far as
official society goes. the week will not be
a Gull one
At the diplomatic reception last Thurs
day night, the fact was demonstrated that
there is still a class of women who like
to see and be seen at such functions, but
have not yet learned how TO dress.
Eor those who know, It seems strange
that any one should not be aware that
such a gala occasion as that should take
full dress, which, of course, means an
evening gown, decollete, for the women.
man was heard to say he thought IL
quite permissible for a woman to wear a
high-necked frock at times: in fact. 1t
was for the public good, If the lady had
not more flesh than bones.
There are those, too, whose health will
not permit Of the regulation evening
dress. and lucky for them the regula-
tons in this country are not as rigid as
II the Old World, where court etiquette
makes some things compulsory.
Which reminds one of the story told
Of the old Scotch lady, who suffered from
some pulmonary trouble. so went to the
lord high chamberlain. or some other
such dignitaTy, who regulates such mat
ters, and requested that she be permitted
TO attend a drawing in a high
necked gown. She was told il was inn
possible. She must wear regulation court
dress or remain away; which was also
impossible for state reasons. The old
lady Went resplendent in full evening
dress, but across her chest in bold relief
above the laces of her decoIete bodice
was vivid red flannel chest protector.
So the story is told In England
There are no regulations here except
against the hat The hat at an evening
White House function is tabooed. though
many can remember when hats, and even
rain coats. We're not uncommon at an
evening state affair.
Mrs. Roosevelt, however, all thanks 10
her, is responsible for the banishment of
the hat, and il was with some amusement
that the other evening some Of those
who were leaving the reception early
heard a maid call from the disrobing-
room door TO a policeman standing near,
Send that woman with the hat on back
here, and tell her they don't allow hats
upstairs"
At no evening reception have there
been seen prettier gowns than those worn
at the diplomatic reception Thursday
night
White satin seemed the popular color
and material. and nearly every gown had
a touch of silver on it. GRAY followed a
close rival. and motifs of gold were not
uncommon, but silver was the trimming
mostly shown. A new color Just in vogue
was seen in the raspberry gowns, the
shade being just that brilliant yet soft
shade that is seen to rise on the top of
TIE fruit when it is being cooked. There
were three such gowns worn the other
night.
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth was one of
the wearers Of these gowns. Hers was of
some soft, diaphanous material, made En-
pire. with the stole effect now so much
in evidence, the long ends of the stoles
extending from the shoulders down on
either side to the hem OF the gown. Vel
vet and passementerie of the same shade
We're combined as trimming
Empire is, of course. the popular mode,
and many beautiful gowns Of that de-
seliption We're seen on figures exactly fit
ted 70 wear that particular style, but
some there were to which the Empire
gown was not kind, and bore no resem-
blance to the mantle of charity which
covers a multitude of sins, or. in this
case, defects.
a unique gown was that worn by Miss
Katherine Elkins II was entirely of
cloth Of silver, made severely plain, like
a rich satin The skirt was plain, the
long lines falling TO the train shimmering
in the light The bodice was draped in
front with folds, and the decollete neck
softened by folds OF white tulle, edged
with a narrow border Of silver guimpe
Long ends of tulle treated in the same
way with silver trimming fell from the
top Of the shoulders 10 half way 10 the
knee.
The many friends of Miss Jewell Hay,
daughter of the late Mr.. Edwin B.
Hay. are delighted at the report that
comes from New York of her great sue
cess on the stage. a profession which she
has just taken up.
Her laurels are fresh, she having just
gone before the footlights. and so won
derfui to her friends seems her success /
that those who have seen her the last
week, and who do not know her, will not
believe this is her first venture in stage
land
Il was Miss Hays desire 10 go on the
stage. u fact she communicated to
friend, who in turn introduced her TO one
Of the stage managers Of New York, The
introduction was made. however. as a
purely personal matter, as the manager
frankly told his friend he could do moth
ing for q young lady with stage aspira-
tions but no training. After meeting her.
however, the manager decided to change
his mind. and an opportunity Offering In
THE Witching Hour, Miss Hay was put
on the bill. with no preliminary expert +