The Washington herald., 1909-04-18

~HE Easter festivities have ush-
cred IN the spring social season,
which shows promise of gsyety
beyond the ordinary Easter
week However. it is less merry than
usual. owing largely 10 the preparations
for about Thebes." which will begin 70
morrow night ana be performed each
night OF the week. The cast Of the play
includes a large number OF the smartest
Washingtonians. and they have rehearsed
three times a day for a week. which left
little energy or desire for social affairs
between.
The week inaUgurated the promenade
concerts on the Potomac drive. better
known as the Speedway It saw the
launching Of the Cabinet priua donna,
Miss Flora Wilson. in her professional
career, and marked the opening of the
first real gayeties Of the Taft admins
fration, which promises much in the way
OF delightful entertaining. Mrs. Tafts
musicale on Monday afternoon was one
OF the most charming affairs possible.
The song recital was given by a member
Of one Of WashlDgton's old and honored
Families. Miss Leila Morse. granddaugh-
ter Of one Of Americas greatest men and
one Of the worlds benefactors. the in
Ventor Of the telegraph.
Miss Morse sang in the Blue Parlor
otherwise known as the diplomatic room,
where the President and the Cabinet
al
guests al public receptions The com
pany was a small one, and formaIity was
slSllfully mixed with informality. Mrs.
TAFT received the guests. and made them
Ieei al home, and tea and light refresh
ments were served in the state dining
room after the programme was finished
There were many army and navy men
IN tho company. and ali were arrayed in
their fun dress uniforms. making an i'm
posing company, a fitting one for the
Executive Mansion.
Mrs Taft has planned a number OF lit
lie O'Clock affairs, and later on
she VIII have some garden parties. than
which. there can De nothing prettier. in
the White House grounds This was
Tavorite entertainments with Mrs. Roose-
Welt, who made more use Of the grounds
south Of the mansion than did any Of
her predecessors. This is owing to the
fact that during President Roosevelt's
administration the grounds we're closed
10 the public. and kept for the private
use o. the Presidential family
The launching Of Miss Wilson. daughter
Of the Secretary of. Agriculture. IN her
concert work was an affair Of much mo-
ment Seldom has such an audience as
sembled on any occasion. and II viii be
remembered as a remarkable occasion,
when the members of the Cabinet from
the Secretary Of State and his family 10
the Secretary OF Commerce and Labor.
sat throughout the programme listening
circle taking her drst steps in the pro-
fessional world. voluntarily giving up the
alluremeAts OF social life. with her po-
sitiOn assured. for the hard work and uu-
certaintes OF prima dcnna's existence.
No singer ever made her debut under
more encouraging circumstances. The
line of carriages and automobiles wait
ing al the theater 10 unload their passen-
gers was ike a White House reception.
the line. extending almost block through
the street.
Charity viii hold sway this week and
after that the general dispensing for the
summer will begin. The Presidents de-
cision in choosing the North Shore of
Massachusetts for the summer White
House Of the next four years will bring
the center OF gayety 20 that point and
loveier spot for it could hardly be
found They expect 10 take possession
OF the cottage early in June