The Detroit times., 1909-12-25
SOCIETY WOMEN
SHOW TALENT
Washington Bellies and Matrons
Have Cultivated Attainments Rang
ing From Music To Millinery.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.--lIad thai
kindly fairy godmother who presides
at the christening Of the baby girli
been wee BIT less generous at the
naming OF some of the most prominent
women In Washington, and. after en-
dowing them with a rare degree o
beauty. charm and brains. with reck
lessly added wealth and position, the
work-a-day world might have been en-
riched by many a talent, which. EN-
ployed seriously instead OF being used
for the pleasure of friends. would
have given the fair possessor a fame
extending far beyond the confines oi
the capital city.
II was not until a band Of Washing
ton amateurs recruited from the draw
ing-rooms of the homes Of the socially
elect appeared less than three years
ago in a play. given for charity that
the public realized that there are anna
teur actresses In this city who could
vie with some OF the famous foot
light favorites. Gifted singers and
pianists are not uncommon. not even
In sterner tasks, which SAVIOR less OF
the drawing-room accomplishments
the washington woman is quite cap
able OF holding her own. Her know!'
edge ranges from salads TO sociology
and from designing hats and gowns
10 research work on tariff schedules.
Most Notable Instance.
The most notable instance OF \
Washington woman of leisure who has
made name for herself is. OF course,
Miss Mabel Boardman. When Miss
Boardmau first began. some years ago
TO interest herself in the work of the
Red Cross, society looked on a biz
indolently regarding 1t as a some
what original fad. But Miss Board
man soon proved that she is of far
better stun than that Of which fad
dists are made. Not only was the
young Washington eentlewoman thor
oughly in earnest about the work, bu;
she showed the most amazing execu
tive ability. together with a grasp OF
detail which fairly startled and then
delighted the masculine members OF
the organization.
Miss Boardman was presented last
spring with a crown by King Victor
Emmanuel OF Italy in recognition Ct
lDC htiOlt anu SutiCcnlul NOth ohN
performed in behalf Of the victims Of
the Messina disaster.
Many persons are aware that tho
first lady OF the land, Mrs. Taft, has
n diploma from a conservatory of
music which entities her to teach. Mrs.
Taft Is perhaps the finest pianist
among the smart set, and has paid
much attention TO the development OF
her talent. Musicians also conceded
her ability and as concert pianist
Mrs Taft might, had she chosen to do
So have become almost as we'll known
10 the people of the United States as
she now Is.
Miss Helen Taft, who is still go
young that her talents and tastes are
as yet little known TO the public,
nevertheless has developed a quite
pronounced fondness and an equal
ability for the collection of old china
Miss Taft. who inherits the taste for
study Of the Taft family and never
does things by halves. has become an
authority on ceramics, and would be
quite capable OF writing a treatise
which would be q valuable guide 70
collectors
Among the famous "specialties" CT
washington women is that OF Mrs.
John B. Henderson. long regarded as
one OF the cleverest women In society.
whose work in behalf OF dietetic re-
form has given a wonderful impetus to
the vegetarian propaganda.
Mrs. Henderson's interesting work.
The Aristocracy Of Health attract
ed the attention of medical men and
students of hygiene throughout the
country. The work was so we'll writ.
ten as to be interesting not only 10
students, but to the general public as
we'll
Mrs James Bryce. the wife or the
British ambassador. holds first place
in Washington as maker OF salads.
In this much-appreciated art she has
shown an inventiveness that amounts
10 genius. and her skill has given her
a place pre-eminent even in the diplo-
matte corps. many masculine men,
bers OF which proudly boast OF their
skill as compounders.
Mrs. Henry Cabot Lodge, wife OF the
senior senator from Massachusetts,. is
another matron whose culinary talents
are much appreciated by her friends.
Should either OF these hostesses ever
decide 10 impart her secrets to print.
the publishers OF the six best sellers
in the cook book line would be forced
TO admit that their output could not
compare To those OF the two amateurs.
Countess Cassini, niece OF the form
er Russian ambassador. long since set
a pace for Washington society girls "a
an amateur milliner, and Mrs. Metcalf,
wife OF former Secretary OF the
Navy. was one of tho cleverest OF
dressmakers.
One OF the rarest abilities possessed
by a Washington woman is that OF
Mrs. James Cecil Hooe, who is an ex-
pert accountant. From her father, the
late Representative Nelson Dingley OF
Maine. author OF the Dingley Tariff
BILL Miss Edith Dingley. nov Mrs.
Hooe. inherits her grasp OF facts and
figures, two things for which the ma
jority Of her sex have little fondness.
HYRT TPyEc tn vOYN NAuv