The Detroit times., 1909-05-06
SOCIETY WOMEN
HAVE RARE Gifts
National Capital Owes Much To Am.
bassadors' Wives Who Are Train
ed in Hospitality.

! WASHINGTON. May The state
ly Baroness Mayor des rlanches, wife
of tho ambassador from Italy; the
charming countess Won Bernstorff.
wife OF the ambassador from Ger
many; the petite Oriental Baroness
,Takahira, wife of Japans an bassador;
the jolly Baroness HengelrIuller, wife
OF the Austro- Hungarian amDassadQr.
iand energetic. business-lilse Mrs
lanes Bryce of the British aisi-
-bassador, the only "commoner" In the
European ambassadorial contingent at
Warrington, present that vivid con
trast OF individual differences" whicn
Ihelp to make life In Washington SO
'diverting.
Filling out the roster of ambassador.
ial chatelaines are Nine. Nahuco. the
unassuming wife of the sccolarly am
Ibassador from Brazil; the Baroness
iRosen, wife of the amba ssador FROM
Russia. and gentle Nine. Jusserand.
wife OF the ambassador frnm France.
AS wife OF the dean OF the diplo-
matte corps the Baroness Mayor des
Planches has commanding role In
the social life OF the capital That she
Is eminently fitted for her position Is
lwillingly acknowledged: even by
those who grudge to hand out praise.
Before the Baroness Mayor des
ePlanches had been established IN
sWashington a year she enjoyed the
lreputation OF being one OF the mos,
egenerous hostesscs OF the city.
Succeeding Baron Fava. the present
! ambassador from Italy and his ac-
! complished wife shone by a happy
comparison. and the Italian embassy.
/. with It's wide open doors. took on a
phase hitherto unknown In its history
Daughter of a noble old Italian family,
the Baroness des Planches is an arts
tocIat 10 her finger tips. and her birth
and breeding are reflected in the life
OF the embassy. No house in Wash
ington is handsomer and none more
satisfactory from the STANDPOINT OF the
lover OF art.
Every Detail Smart"
Hangings, pottery. rugs and pic
lures. each special article in Itself
model of its class. dis inguish the
house. To TIE slightest detail the en-
hassy menage is conducted with
smartness and a dignity that reflect
credit upon the fame Of the home
country OF the occupants No smarter
livery is evident In the streets OF
Washington aud the distinguished
looking baroness. seated in her low
victoria drawn by a spanking team,
fooled by coachman who Is an AR
list" in his line, make a picture notice
able even in the hurly-burly of the
midseason rush.
The Baroness des Planches has a
fancy for long sweeping lines and for
great big hats. her slenderness OF fig'
IRE and her superb carriage making
the ensemble especially effective. As
10 jewels. no woman in the city has
anything to compare with the pearls
and diamonds the Italian ambassadors
wife dons on occasions CT ceremony.
She has a happy appreciation OF &C
casions. too.
The Countess Won Bernstorff is 4
New Yorker by birth, Before her
marriage In 1880 she was Jeanne
Luckemeyer. Having passed the
greater part of her life in Europe. the
countess has the charm which is the
distinguishing trait of the European
woman of privilege and with II the
geniality OF the well-poised American
woman.
Countess Won Bernstein net Ter hus-
hand In France when he was attached
10 the German embassy at Paris. and
her worth as "helpmeet' is evil
denced in the unvarying popularity
che enjoyed not only at The German
court. which is bit critical of VIC
mankind. but at the Italian court AMI
later at Cairo. from which post the
ambassador was detailed 10 Washing
ton. Countess Won Bernstorff Is II
very good-looking woman. She has
fine eyes and n sweet expression. but
possibly her most potent charm is her
radiant smile and her wholesome per.
sonelity.
Clever Japanese Hostess.
The Baroness Takahira first came
to Washington as the wife OF the min
lister from Japan AS such, by her
pretty manners and her cordially, She
won for herself an enduring place In
the interest and good Will OF official
Washington. Like true daughter OF
Nippon the baroness Tin the old days
riain Madame" Takahira) Eept pace
with the fashions OF the Occident, but
der inherent instinct Cor the skilful
use of flowers prompted her to affect
a certain style OF headdress. Always
On occasions OF state, In lieu OF jewel
or coronet nesting among The smooth
masses OF her silky black hair, rested
q single crimson rose.
The whirligig of time brought the
little Japanese lady back TO Washing
ton in a more conspicuous role With
the prestige obtained by the victorious
armies of the emperor OF Japan, diplo-
matte affairs took on new Importance
and with the rank of baron and the
Diplomatic status OF ambassador the
eistwhile minister returned to Amer
lea.
Presiding over one OF the most beau
tifully appointed homes in the city an ]
seventh In line Of precedence. the
Baroness Takahira has an ambitious
place in the life OF the community. A
tiny little parsonage. distinctly Orien-
tai in type and unusually pretty, Baron
ess Takahira has very effectually
made good" as an embassy chatelaine.
Her gowns are marvels Of elegance
and modlshness: also her hats and her
jewels. The crimson rose Is replaced
by Offering tiara OF diamonds. fash
toned to indicate the rank of the
wearer. and diamond necklace and
bodice jewels OF great value and beau
~ enhance the loneliness CT robes,
which show the utmost skill OF the
Partisan craftswoman.
To tho oypoIloef incidoufaI tho apn.