The Washington herald., 1909-01-19
WASHINGTON CHAT.
D. THE sPEcTAToR.

4tiS fufnOf tnat ME. BakmaIieIs ilc
present Russian Minister TO Tokyo, viii
succeed Baron Rosen as Russian Am
bassador is interesting news 10 people In
America, especially IN washington. where
Nine Bakmatieff, born Mary Beale,
passed her girlhoOd. Her father was
Gen Edward Fitzgerald Beale. a grand
son Of Commodore Truxtun. one Of the
first six captains appointed by Gen
Washington in the early days Of the navy
to protect the commerce OF the United
States. Gen Beale himself fought under
Commodore Stockton, made a notable rec
ord in the army. was one OF the California
pioneers, a brave and gallant gentleman,
and an Intimate friend, the most intimate
friend. perhaps. Of Gen Grant, from the
days OF the war until the latter's death.
The Beales lived in the house on the
corner OF H street and Jackson place Quilt
/ BY Commodore Decatur. and where he
died after his celebrated duel with Bar
ROM, which they acquired for purely senti-
mental reasons. Decatur had served rs
midshipman and lieutenant under Trux-
tun. with whom he was q great favorite
and 70 preserve the mementos Of his
grandfather's prOtege, and prevent the
house from falling into unworthy hands
I Gen Beaie purchased Il, and here Mrs
Beale, who was a distinguished woman
OF the old school. established a salon
which was one Of the most noted at the
Capital. II was in this house shortly
after the war that Mamie" Beale. as
her friends called her, made her debut
At that time one OF the secretaries Of the
Russian Legation was George Bakmatief
a young and handsome Russian noble
man. a general beau in society and ar
AL round fascinating man. II was small
wonder that this drawiug-roOm hero
caught the fancy OF Miss Beaie, who
spoke French fuently, had passed some
time abroad, and was IN sympathy with
things foreign. Their marriage followed
a short engagement. not long after which
Ar. BakmatieT was ordered abroad
at the time Of his marriage the rank
OF the young diplomat was only that OF
attache, but he was steadily advanced
and some fifteen years ago was pro-
NOTED 10 the grade Of minister. and. Il
! the foreign dispatches are correct, ne
viii soon be raised to that OF ambassa-
dor. Previous to his service in Tokyo
Mr. Bakmatieff was chief Of the Russian
I legation IN Athens. where Nine. Bakms-
ien vas a prominent member OF the
court circle. The Russian interests II
/ Greece make L necessary for its repre-
! sentative TO entertain laviShly IN that
country. and no one is sent 70 its capita
I who IS not equipped for this service The
E BaknatiefTs were lavish in their scale o.
( living and entertaining. and Il was with
great regret that news OF Mr.. Bakms-
tief's transfer TO Tokyo was receivet
there. This was some three years ago
+ Nine. Bakmatien would be taken for {
+ distinguished woman in any circle. for
while she is no longer a great beauty
I she has an air OF breeding and she wears
I original clothes, and most interesting
( bizarre jeweIry. Her favorite adornment.
4 are some superb torquolse. q wonderful
{ necklace. and great earrings. which hanl
( nearly 70 her shoulders. the stones o
+ which she has been years in selecting
and are most becoming Quite az snter
esting 10 her Washington friends as he
I wonderful 5ewelry. during her last visit
was her little Yorkshire terrier. a nos
intelligent and interesting beast whici
made the long journey with her 70 Tokyo
I Nine. Bakmatieffs only brother, Trux
I tuu Beals. is a man OF parts. a success
+ fuI diplomatist, and an authority OF
+ Asistic questions. his interest in whicl
+ vas Awakened when he was American
+ Minister 10 Persia. lis articles on thi.
( subject have excited keen interest ant
T have been widely quoted. After his d.
( vorce from Harriet Blaine. Mr.. BeaI
married Marie Oge. q niece Of the lat,
Chief Justice Chase
; Nine. Bakmstief's only sister Is Mrs
John r. Mclean. widely known n Wash
+ ington for her hospitality and VINO Is
/ sister-in-law Of Mrs. Dewey. wife OF III
+ ADMIRAL OF the Navy.
+ The mother or this interesting trio i
+ stiU remembered in Washington. wher
+ she passed her declining years. and wa
+ often seen driving about the streets in
low-hunE Victoria. dressed IN handsome
old-fashioned clothes. beautiful laces an
/ velvets that have been banished from II
I wardrobes Of to-day by modern fripperies
. her weak eyes covered With great darl
( goggies. On the high box Of her carriag
I were her negro coachnaa and foorman
7 who had been IN her service for a life
tine. in their plum-colored fiveries. yer
proud OF their thoroughbred. horses. thei
/ handsome carriage. but proJdest OF thei
: cid mistress. whom they tsnderl
f guarded
Nine. Bakmatien-s connection her
I naturally hope that the rumor OF her hus
+ bands appointment and transfer Z
4 Washington IS correct. for they hav
/ looked forward with keen interest 4
such possibility. and should they com
! there VIII he inaugUrated q series OF feS
T tiyities al the Russian Embassy that wi
recall the bOuutiful hospitality OF Madam
+ Strive. who was the most notable hostes
/ from Russia that the Capital has eve
/ known. Baroness ROsen, wife Of III
I present Ambassador. prefers St Peters
( burg 20 Washington, and has passed onl.
( one or two seasons here; hence in late
days the Russian Embassy mas tallel
very little part socially, and the enter
tainments the Ambassador has given hav
I been official and qerfunctorv.
Urges Teachers 40 Organize.
/ From the Journal q E6ucation-