The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-24

season returned here Mrs. Harvey is
prominent among the exclusive clubs
In town and has a coterie of friends
that will doubtless entertain extern
sively for her during her stay.
Mr.. and Mrs. Horace Blanchard
Chase are in town again after a visit
at their country home, "Stags Leap"
and are guests at the Hotel Monroe for
several weeks. Mr.. and Mrs Chase
entertained a number of guests from
town recently at their picturesque
country home, but since house parties
are the rule rather than the exception
of this pretty place, the delightful
outing has been taken quite as matter
Of course by the fortunate guests.
The society woman who is prone to
excuse a simplicity in her own taste
or diversion will find secret comfort
perhaps, in hearing about the eXqui-
site simplicity OF Queen Alexandra
Queen Alexandra's favorite room is
her boudoir in Sandringham. There
she follows her own tastes without
court dictation, and she affectionately
talks of her boudoir as home
The walls are in apple green and
white and the furniture is of the Marie
Antoinette style. There is bric-a- brac
| corners of Europe. Everything in the
room is of Alexandra's personal selec-
| ton. She spends most of her leisure
! time there, alone or with her friend
and confidante, Charlotte Knollys.
Tea always is served at o'clock in
the boudoir, the queen herself pouring
for her women guests in the palace.
Those interested in the collection of
precious stones will favor the anne
| thyst this year. for it is the fashionable
| gem Of the season. There is craze
for the striking and unusual in jewels.
The diamond and the pearl pendant
earring, we have observed, had a feet
ing period of popularity; Queen Alexan-
/ dra made jet the fad for brief time
and then came the craze of the last
/ few months for all kinds of old fash
/ toned gems.
! The amethyst is old fashioned and the
society woman who finds one hidden
away In a faded jewel box is accounted
more than lucky just now. This is the
gem, we are told, that the prophet
Zadkiel described as the lucky stone
OF the sentimental value Of the popu-
| lar gem, let 1t be known that the anne
! thyst is a token of friendship and love
In the days of our grandmotherS no gift
i possessed more sentimental value. An
/ Otner superstition attached TO the anne
| thyst is that 1t is a charm against the
evils OF intoxication. However, it Is
a stone OF great beauty and one that
| is priced by almost every woman. Now
! that 1t has been approved by fashion
1t will be worn extensively, and it Is
shown by jewellers In myriad Of pref
| ty designs.
Many society women both here and
in New York received amethysts as
holiday gifts. One of the prettiest
amethyst rings in the country was be-
/ slowed upon Mrs. Clarence Mackay by
! her husband. The amethyst is said
to be the favorite stone of the duchess
Of Marlborough and one of the fads OF
the Countess Szechenyi is an amethyst
collection.
Mr.. and Mrs. William G.. Irwin enter
tanned Friday evening at one of the
delightful dinner parties of the week
given at their home in Washington
street. Since their return from abroad
Mr.. and Mrs. Irwin have been active
factors in the social life of the city
and no society affair. properly speaking
! is complete without them. They have
i opened their hospitable home in Wash
ington street and have given series
of dinner parties and other affairs.
Miss Helene Irwin has entertained thu
debutantes. and Mrs. Irwin had planned
parties OF equal brilliancy for the