The Washington herald., 1908-02-23

Al Ash Wednesday ushers In the
w Lenten season. society host
esses will be kept unusually
busy paying of obligations and carrying
out plans for entertainments which have
been delayed until now.
The pace promises. 10 be fast and furi-
Gus. with even a gayer week to come
than that which has just passed. The
past week has seen Washington at the
height of tho season. every night crowd
ed with dinners. receptions. and dances.
All admit this season has been compar-
atively quiet. With a multitude Of small
affairs. more or less informal. like those
which take place between seasons. The
past fortnight. however. has been as gay
as the gayest could wish.
A feature OF this years entertaining has
been the many private dances. Washing
ton has always been known for pre-emi-
nenee in dinner giving This season has
been marked by the usual round OF din
ners. and has also 20 its credit an un-
usual number of dances in private houses.
This coming week will be hshered in
by a dance given by Representative and
Mrs. Van Vechten Olcott. in the home
built expressly for them in Sheridan cir
cie by Mrs. Albert Clifford Barney.
Mrs. Olcott has purchased with much
care all the furnishings in New York.
Twice has she gone through the ordeal OF
selecting and matching hangings and
drapeTies The first selections had been
made and were ready to be shipped here,
when the shop whore they were purchased
in New York. burned down, and with il,
all OF Mrs. OIcott's furnishings. Imme-
diateIy she set to work TO duplicate them.
Tomorrow night, her friends will have
the opportunity 10 congratulate her upon
her house beautiful
Tomorrow nights function is 10 par
take of the nature OF a house warming
IL is the first large affair the hosts will
have given. Young and old will be in
vited. There will be entertainment for
both in the reception and the dance which
win follow.
Two nights later Representative and
Mrs. olcott viii entertain at dinner From
now on their new home will be the scene
OF many dinner parties
Former Senator and Mrs Dryden. who
have just opened their Washington resi-
dence. and who are. therefore like new
comers. more or less. are going 10 make
up for lost time. Last nights dinner was
the forerunner Of a series to follow
While the official season at the White
House is over. il does not signify that
entertaining is ended Now viii come a
number OF dinners and musicales, TO be
followed in the spring by garden parties
These are by far the prettiest form OF
entertaining that Mrs. Roosevelt provides
The beautiful gardens south Of the man
sion lend themselves charmingly 10 these
affairs
TIE last official reception ended in a
blaze OF glory TO the strains Of martial
music as officers of army and na-y paid
respects TO their commander-in-chief, the
President
Apropos OF gowns. scme comment has
been called forth by the fact that Mrs
Meyer wiAe Of the Postmaster General,
usually chooses to appear in black.
IL has always been the custom FOR
ladies OF the Cabinet circle TO consult
each other in regard 20 what they shall
wear on the nights Of receptions. II is
understood that Mrs. Roosevelt likes 20
have a general harmonious blending of
colors in their costumes as they stand In
line. The result is If one or two express
desire 10 wear light colOrs. the others
falI IN with that notion and follow suit
Mrs. Meyer who IS distinctly individual.
prefers however. 10 wear black. having
appeared three out Of the four times in
severely plain black satin gown. the
surplice bands OF satin over the shoulders
opening over white tulle. which forms the
corsage ornamentation and finished on
one side by a row OF large buttons OF
briIian;s. Diamond ornaments complete
this striking costume.
1t is very becoming 10 its wearer. but
q decided contrast 20 the toilettes OF
other ladies in line. the colors OF whose
gowns are usually pale blue. pink. or
green, with strong prejudice for white.