The Washington herald., 1909-03-30
WASHINGTON CHAT.
By THE sPECTAToR.

can Legation In Madrid wiz be similar
to that which the Countess Marguerite
Cassini held when she was at the head
OF the Russian Embassy, as the adopted
daughter Of the Ambassador and dean
Of the diplomatic corps; not that Miss Ide
in any way resembles the brilliant little
hoyden. half-gypsy. half woman Of the
world. and altogether a spoiled and en-
chanting child. who presided over the
Museovite embassy. for Mics Ide Is
daughter OF the Puritans. her progenitOrs
having been among the early settlers OF
! the Green Mountain State, and once a
Puritan always a Puritan, in conscience
AT least, no matter where ones lines have
/ been cast. What is meant in saying that
her position viii be similar 10 that OF
Countess Marguerite Cassini is that she
will not have the same rank as the wife
/ OF minister woElG have, matter that
was settled In the last century by Queen
Victoria, who, annoyed by the chickering's
that had taken place az her court be-
/ tween unmarried women at the head Of
/ legations and embassies and the wives OF
the ambassadors and ministers, after con
suiting with European courts. settled the
/ mooted question once and for all, and
brought about a common agreement that
no woman. save the wife Of an ambas-
| sador, could enjoy the privileges OF am
| hassadress. and no spinster would be re-
/ ceived on the same footing as the wife
/ OF a minister. The privileges OF ambas-
s2dresses. as those who are acquainted
with diplomatic etiquette know, are not
70 be taken lightly: for instance. an am
/ II Al 20 ufe
audience with the Pope. she Is kissed By
the Queen OF Spain on being presented
and seated at her right hand on all
/ State functions, and At all European
courts receives the same high honors ac-
/ corded 70 her husband. and cannot be
sued for debt. The latter immunity IS
much appreciated, for the scandals apro-
pos OF the debts OF ambassadors would
/ MI book. Count Hatfield. when ne was
German Ambassador 10 the Court OF St
James. was never out OF debt. His Law
ish manner OF living on credit was the
| talk OF his day, and the private chron-
/ icles Of every great city contain spicy
gossip OF Ike character.
| But whether she ranks as the wife or
! only as the daughter OF a minister. Miss
/ lde is entirely competent 10 MI the po-
sition, for her several years residence
in the Philippines has given her a thor
ough knowledge OF the Spanish tongue.
which is great equipment in the court
circle Of Madrid. where the same preju-
dice exists among the higher classes
against the use Of foreign languages that
exists amcng the French While not as
beautiful as her sister. Mrs. Bourke
Cochran, whose grace and charm gave
her formost position among the woun-
en- OF the Representative circle Margery
Ide is a most attractive and lovely
woman. a blond. with blue eyes and fair
complexion. who dresses 81 admirable
taste. and has the carriage and manner
OF woman twice her age. which IS due
70 the position she has been compelled
10 assume since her sisters marriage as
the head OF her fathers household.
This last winter she has been one OF the
most assiduous entertainers Of the semi
Official circle and has made her home
one OF the most attractive social cente-s
In town
Il Is rather pleasant 70 be H when
ones comfort Is looked after as IS the
comfort Of a little bride in the West End
who has been recently indisposed. She is
the daughter OF a muid-rnillionaire. who
married the son OF rnulti-rniInonalre
and she and her husband have the sec
ond story OF her fathers house. The
other day one OF the guests at her moth
eT's reception thought she heard music
but II was distant indistinct. and. not
being able 70 account for IT she said 10
the hostess, 1t seems 20 ne that hear
music. yet I see there Is none abou:
here" TO which Madame Ia Hotesse
replied: You do hear music Ny daugh-
ter was not very well to-day and as she
Is always Cuieted and soothed by music
I sent for an orchestra 20 play FOR her
this afternoon" The next day the little
invalid was entertained By a vaudeville
act, and the next a celebrated prima
donna consented 20 sing for her-for a
consideration, Of course"
Society n Washington Is pinnlng It's
faith 20 Francis " CrowninshieId's s
Manners for tho Metropolis" which was
published not long ago. This little bro
chure, written obviously for the smart
set. is fun Of clever and amusing sug-
gestions in regard 10 the way OF doing
things in that limited circle. but whether
/ one benefits by his hints or not. no one
with sense OF humor can fan 10 be
amused by his good-natured satire and
diverted by his flowing and really grace
ful style The book Is really clever
enough 10 be classed with Thackeray
and Addison. and Ike their essays.
teaches a moral Some OF his bonmots
deserve repeating. HIS definition OF a
ball. for instance:
The word ball is intended 70 signify
a hundred or fifty people who do not care
particularly for dancing and who are
prostrated by the prospect OF arising
early on the following mornings in con-
| ClusiOn the benevolent author advises his
readers always 10 be half an hour late
FOR everything. Nothing IS so tedious as
. waiting
He goes on 10 say; Mothers. or bench
! women wildly eyeing their offspring.
the leader battered and bruised like a
half back at football game: the host
ess. with her tiara aslant on her new
false curls; fifty wilted linen collars: 800
yards of chiffon ruff1es and one pound OF
| assorted hairpins decorating the floor OF
the ballroom; a deep crowd Of sO-called
dancing men who effectualy block the
door. spellbOund by the horror Of the
! scene
Solid Comfort in Arkansas.
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