The Washington herald., 1908-02-16

HIS week will see what is practi-
cany the close OF the official
season. The army and navy
reception Thursday night will be
the last state function at the White
House
After 1t. of course, viii come, as usual,
a series of musicales and many dinners.
They will be unofficial. and in some cases
Informal
The army and navy reception is TO
many the most picturesque White House
function. The decorations are more or
less elaborate.
A few howers ornament the mantels
Of the drawing rooms on ali formal and
informal affaila at the White House un-
der the regime of its. present mistress.
For the army and navy reception the
flags and insignia of these two branches
of the service are displayed in compn-
ment to the officers of the army and
navy.
The flags of the President, the Secre-
tary of the Navy. and the Secretary Of
War. with the flag of the Admiral of the
Navy combined with Old Glory itself, are
suspended along the walls of the inner
corridor, and make a brave showing.
The officers uniforms. resplendent in
gold lace and buttons, also make a pic
turesque effect and brilliant background
fer the evening gowns of the women
present.
For the past few days Washington has
been suffering what might be called an
eclipse of Ambassadors. Few have been
in town.
The Italian Ambassador and the Baron
ess Mayor des Planches are away in
Cuba The Austro-Hungarian Ambassa-
dor. Baron Hengelmuler, is also there.
The French Ambassador, NJ. Jusserand,
is in the West, speechmaking and Incl
dentally seeing how American political
campaigns are run.
The German Ambassador. Baron Speck
Won Sternburg, has been to New York
for a short trip. of only day or So to
be sure. The embassy is closed pract-
Cally anyhow on account Of the illness
of the Baroness Won Sternburg, who has
measles.
German measles no doubt, is the par
ticular variety. At any rate the attack
is slight. The chatelaine of the embassy
hopes to be well enough TO leave town
Thursday for Tampa. Fla She and the
Ambassador have planned the trip some
time ahead
Two dinner parties and one large even
ing reception have had to be called of
on account Of the baroness indisposition
Though her sister, Miss Langham, might
have taken her place as hostess and the
affairs gone on as scheduled. the baroness
feared her guests might be alarmed on
account of cOntagiOn.
The diplomats not spending a few
weeks in Cuba are planning to 20 to
Florida. Baron Haymerle of the Austro-
Hungarian Embassy, is expecting 10 leave
town Thursday for the South.
Baron Haymerie is one of the most poJu-
lar young men Of the corps. and. accord
ing to one of his colleagues, the best
dancer among them ALL Count Won Toe
rock, the latest arrival in the personnel
Of that embassy also bids fair TO be
social favorlte.
Another secretary is expected next
mOnth-PTince Vincenz Windisehgraetz-
whose arrival viii complete the number
Of secretaries and attaches for that en-
bassy. There will then be five young
bachelors. ali interesting and agreeable.
and therefore, popular.
This past Thursday Minister WI Ting
fang sailed from Tokyo for America.
He recently spent two days at Yokohama.
during which time he called upon Mr..
Thomas J. OBrien. the American Am
fassador and was entertained at dinner
10y the American consul, Mr., II. B. Miller
Justice Brewer. the other night in his
speech at the Loyal Legion dinner at
Rauscher's, said that Ambassador Bryce
knew more about Americans than Gid the
Americans themselves. The same might.
with more or less truth, be said of Mr.. WI
that during his former residence here as
Minister he made a deep study of the Gus
toms and habits Of America and Ameri-
cans. So well did he understand the ma
tOnal character and so apt was he in ad-
justing himself 10 the conditions here
that he was one Of the most popular men
accredited to this post
Nine. Wa tried hard, too. to keep up
the pace with the American women. An
interesting sight IN the Capital was TO
see little Nine. Wu. resplendent in the
Oriental robes OF the Celestial Kingdom,
skimming down the street in the modern
automobile
During their regime the Chinese Lega-
tion was a most hospitable place. Inter
esting dinners were not uncommon, and
fao foxr nd iuh
nual function. Every one wanted to 60,
and so, Of course, every one met there. The
intermingling Of Orientals, Europeans,
and Americans made a gathering hardly
10 be found anywhere else.
Cabinet Day, last Wednesday, was ideal
for calling. The Capitals streets were
filled with carriages conveying callers in
all directions The Cabinet homes are
now so far apart that 1t is an undertake
ing 10 go the rounds.
OF course. Mrs. Fairbanks. wife of the
Vice President had, as she always does.
a large gathering, There was a long list
Of Congressional ladies 10 assist her.
The table was presided over by Mrs.
Gaines and Mrs. Overstreet.
Mrs. Warren Fairbanks. designated by
Prince Henry of Battenburg as the pref
test woman he met In America. and now
visiting her husbands parents, Vice Pres
idsnt and Mrs. Fairbanks, was among
the ladies assisting. She was gowned in
a pri lcess frock of myrtle green velvet.
the only ornamentation on which was
bit Of embroidery in the same color on
the corsage.
Mrs. Murray Crane stood next to Mrs.
Fairbanks, and looked distinguished in a
black chiffon velvet the hndice ernhal-