The Washington herald., 1909-05-14
WASHINGTON CHAT.
By THE sPECrAToR.

O0ds the most distinguished gathering or
artists and art lovers that has assembled
az the Capital In long time. The shin
Ing light Of the occasion, as he is az all
occasions where no assists. was the
British Ambassador, who hastened away
from the dinner given by the Attorney
General and Mrs Wickersham TO be
among the early couers. Mr.. Bryce Is as
bUOyant. as keen. as alert and interested
as a schoolboy. and he is as thoroughly
at home In the world Of art as he Is in
that OF politics. history. and literature
Il was delightful to hear his intelligent
discussions with the distinguished artists
present, but more delightful was It TO
note the thoroughly hospitable aid kindly
way IN which he undertook 70 make the
strangers present known TO each other.
To Alfred East, r A, his noted
countryman, ne paid especial attention 70.
and II that knight OF the palette does
not carry away an agreeable impression
OF the American Capital il viii not be
because Mr.. Bryce failed in his duty.
Apropos Of Mr.. Bryce. just as he was
entering the gallery. the night of the re-
ception, one OF the pavement gods said
TO another pavement god;
Look there, that's Lord Bryce; he's
de guy dat de King OF England sends
over here ter play golf wild de Presi-
dent"
What yer givln' us?" asked the second
pavement god He amt no lord, an he
cant play golf"
well, II he ain't lord he oughter
be-" replied the first P. G.. an he
oughter play golf I tell yer what Il Is.
dose furrin dippies hain't no right TO send
a man here dat can't play de Presidents
game"
Mrs. Bryce never looked better than she
dld on Wednesday night Her gown was
especially becoming. and her face. which
Is always radiant with good nature, wore
It's most winning smile She was 80 n
sympathy with every one. and this same
sympathy evoked her best expression. and
not even IN the embassy, where she Is
unfailingly charming. has she been seen
to better advantage than at the COrcOran
reception.
Mr. and Mrs Hennen Jennings came IN
for a great but legitimate glory al this
same reception, for the night before they
had entertained aJI the delegates OF the
It societies 70 the present convention, and
provided a memorable evening for them.
II seems strange that a mining engineer.
who has rOughed II in South America and
South Africa should be. as the French say.
an artist 10 the ends OF his fingers. but
this is true OF Mr. Jennings. and IN ali
the busy years since be took his degree
az the Lawrence Scientific School. be has
kept in touch with the srt circle, and
science, too. for that matter. and Is a
member OF both the societies for the ad-
vancement Of science and the advance
ment Of art OF Africa and Of the Wit
waters and Geological Society. and waht
Is best Of al. he is no ty-O az any Of
these subjects which he has taken I'D for
the mere love OF them 5lT- Jennings
Is big IN body and big In heart, and those
who are closest 70 him say that his hos
pltaIity knows no bounds.
Mrs. Barney has been. as usual in eli
art matters, a leading spirit at the recent
convention. and , tbe recipient Of many
congratulations because Of the favorable
comments made on her pictures. which
are now being exhibited IN New York
The gown she wore az the reception the
other night was a marvel. and might have
come from some barbaric court IT Is
butterfly govn." said one, because OF
the shape OF the train. which was ike
butterfy's wings 1T is q peacock
gown" affirmed another, because OF the
decoration: but whether a butterfly OF
peacock inspired II, the frock was q won
derful creation and becoming TO its
weaTer-
The suicide OF Thomas e NetherIand.
the social secretary at the White House.
should serve TO bring home 10 the United
States government its neglect n not pro-
viding for a definite social code. The
duties that confro3t a new official are
many and erduous. but there is none
greater tnan the social exactious, which
are difficult TO meet. because there is no
hard and fast rule regarding social OBJ
servanceS. and every new Official Is more
Or less a law unto himself. Mr. Neither
land was a man OF good birth and breed
ing, but ne was not selected for his post
because Of any extraordinary knowledge
OF social matters. In fact, he was not
selected al al. but rather pushed into Il
owing 10 his ability to deal with the
social questions that arose al the White
House; but his decisions were often Ques-
toned, and he was IN q continual state
OF worry. which was, doubtless, a con-
tri utive cause TO the melsnchoiia that
caused his death. Since the founding OF
he republic no one within or outside OF
zoe official circle has been content with
the conduct Of social affairs at the White
House. nor viii they ever be until def
mite rules are adopted.
Not very long ago a naval attache OF
one OF the leading embassies wrote 20 the
White House and asked for an invitation
10 the reception TO which he was invited
for his house guest. the daughter Of q
very distinguished family in Boston. a
family whose name Is q synonym for all
that IS best and most elegant in Amer
lean life This invitation was promptly
refused. because the list was already TOO
long. which so provoked the person who
requested Il that he not only refused 70
attend the reception, but Is said 10 have
demanded his recall. However that may
be. he was recalled shortly after the
incident Il seems almost impossible there
could be such q lack OF knowledge and
tact. but too much cannot be expected
OF men unframed in social ethics Only
recently the daughter Of a former Cabinet
Officer was bemoaning the fact that she
and her husband had been invited to one
OF the White House receptions, while her
father was invited TO another
Nov tsst see," she said. what a
pred:cament an put IN. Ny husband
never has the time or inclination 70 go
10 afternoon receptions anywhere. and
since I aIE not allowed TO go with ny
father I must tOddle there alone, but
nous allons change tout celia for Mrs.
Taft has both the knowledge and tact.
and she intends to make her regime in
the White House memorable.
The rates Of postage for the year ISsS
said a post-oflee official the other day,