The sun., 1908-04-26

woke TO find himself famous. The account
NJ the afternoon reception where Mrs
George Gould. Ms. Frances Pruyn and
Ryrlc Beew rendered playlet was copied
In ST. Petersburg newspaper. Gen.
Horace Porter, commenting on that same
function, asserted that in all his sco.al
career he had never seen an audience Of
create. brllianoy and interest, A di-
plomatist in Washington remarked to Mr..
Martin recently that Washington society,
ever keenly alive TO New York's dongs,
had kept its eyes very wide open in his
direction, and that il was the consensus
there that the Manhattan functions for
which he had stood sponsor had been the
most noteworthy in a season that began
under a cloud Of financial troubles which
threatened for time 10 cast a gloom over
the merrymakings Of the winter.
The three most noteworthy Of these funo-
tions we're the Gould tea, as Mr.. Martin
dcnominates il, held in the ballroom Of the
Plaza the reception to the Duchess dues,
where Mrs. Beerbohm Tree recited Kipling,
and another afternoon where Elinor Glyn,
Billie Burke and Bishop Potter shared the
attention Of the guests. These have been
supplemented by a number Of very smart
little dinners and evenings where he has
played the part Of host to some special set
or in honor Of some visiting celebrity,
Alr Martin is the brother Of Bradley Mar
tin and came with him TO New York from
Albany whsn no was seventeen. He has the
same d!root simplicity in speaking Of his
age that he has in approaching other timely
sub jects and refers to IL to prove his fit
ness having begun his social career under
the older regime Of New York society which
was cata'ogued by the late Ward Meal
lister as the 900, a term which, it is said,
he used unpremcditatedly noting the
number Of supper bills at each recurrent
subscription dance. The 400 has enlarged
to such an extent now that Mr.. Martin
mentions 1900 as being a closer and more
accurate rating
Whcn the successor TO that same Mr.
McAlIister-if rumor may be believed-is
run to earth at the Plaza, where he lives
when 10 New York, he tries to dodge the
seriousness Of the occasion, looks appalled,
at The array OF sketch and note pads and
hLT.cdy leads the reporter and the artist
upstairs 20 SEQ somo portraits Of Mrs, Les
lie Cotton's jnst being packed for ship
Tont lie selects chat Of Lady Cunard as
the most notable and exclaims that 1t is
A pUrtrat that we may well be proud 10
show succeeding generations as type Of
the iaIrest women Of the day. Mr., Martin
shows himself a connoisseur Of other sub
jcc;s besides social happenings, as he points
oIt the garlands Of pink roses on the cor
sage, the one pink rose in her hair, the fact
thai roses are her cheeks and a rose her
mouth
While pointing out these graces OF Lady
Cunard Mr.. Martin Is eager to say that
he considers American women the most
beautiful charming and intelligent in the
world, and then in a quiet corner he says
some interesting things about the society |
that has been formed by them and about |
them always remembering every few mo-
ments to call attention to the fact that he is
not really being interviewed aud TO exact all
sorts Of promises which are religiously |
kept, for the most interesting criticisms
and stories anent the little jealousies, weak
nesses and foibles Of society are not lightly
TO be repeated.
The momentary substitution OF the work
Of Mrs Leslie Cotton for his own words
Is brought about by the very evident adj
miration MIR. Martin has for talent. no matter
In what form it may be expressed. Miss
Ethel Barrymore said that she considered
the immense number Of friends Mr.. Martin
had in the social world very remarkable
tribute to his diplomatic qualities but this
number was not more surprising than the
number Of artistic and literary friends he
could bring about him when he desired.
At one Of Mr.. Martins receptions |, 200 in
vtatlons were sent out and 1 100 guests
responded with acceptanoes and appear
ancos. among them Social leaders, dramatic
and operatio stars. writors, painters. mu-
Slcans.
1t would not be possible, 80 II is learned.
'or man 10 have the leisure TO devote to
lhe manifold claims Of society unless his
lnas we're cast In comparatively easy cir
'lmstances and there we're no strenuous
business demands 10 interfere with the best
aid plans Although he has recently been
'lectsd trustee Of the Metropolitan Trust
Company at 20 Wall street in place Of the
ats Morris X. Jesup, Mr.. Martin does not
have TO spend more than a couple Of hours
day on duty, and even that routine does
hot interfere with the routine Of his life.
Which has for years been spent on both
'des the ocean.
He goes each year 10 Paris In May for
he season there, thence TO London, where
10 also takes in the seasons gayeties. On |
august 8 he goes 10 the hunting lodge Of ,
ne brother In Scotland. whera he remains