The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
GOSSIP OF WELL KNOWN PERSONS

That the American Embassy at Rome
viii enter upon brilliant regime with
the advent OF Mrs John G. A L.eishman.
is a foregoing conclusion TO those who
know the wife Of the newly appointed
I Ambassador. Mrs. Leishman. who is a
strlldnEly handsome woman, is very
large with a superb figure and fine
carriage. Her complexion is deica.ely
tinted white and blush pink and her skin
is as soft as satin. Her abundant w&vy
hair is very fair and has just enough
gold in it to dimerentiate it from the lash
blonde type. Her eyes. which are
blue.
For the past twelve years Mrs Leish-
man has lived abroad. first at Lucerne
where, as wife Of the Minister 20 swift
erland. she made the quaint old Chateau
Of Chillon. across the lake from the
Oxenstrasse the rendezvous for all the
Americans who could bring credentials.
and foreigners from all countries Asso-
ciated with her in the grateful role OF
playing hostess over a home abundantly
lowered with youth and wealth were her
sister, Miss Jean Crawford. a very at
tractive amiable woman. and Martha
Leishman the young daughter OF the
family. To this day the Leishman fetes
at Lucerne are gossiped about where TWO
or three OF the fashionables. who enjoyed
/ Mrs. Leishman's generous hospitality. are
gathered together talking over old times.
| From Switzerland. Mr.. Leishman. who
|
I Of the present Secretary of State. Mr..
Knox, was transferred to Constantinople.
| The success Mr.. Leishman enjoyed in his
/ role Of diplomat is a matter OF history.
Unfortunately. Mrs Leishman could not
stand the climate OF the old city on the
! BosphoruS. so. with her daughters and
I her handsome son, Jack Mrs Leish-
man and Miss Crawford betook them
/ selves to Paris. During their residence
in Paris Mrs. Leishman became a leader
I in the smart circle where brains and
money and high spirits count for all that
| goes to make social success. Taking up
| the sport OF roller skating. she was head
and front Of the circle which formed
the ultra-smart morning skating club
/ Mrs. Leishman's motor cars. her gowns
! her Jewels, her entertainments. were the
/ talk of Paris. while the invariably good
] humored reception accorded her wayfar-
/ ing countrynen and women endeared her
to the large section Of the travelling pub
/ lie which from time 70 time sought out
the wife of the Ambassador 70 Turkey
! During their residence in Paris Martha
( Leishman, who is a youthful replica Of
] her handsome mother became the
! Countess Gontant de Biren. the marriage
taking place with much splendOr at the
height Of the Paris season. Count Louis
| GOntant de Biron died about two years
/ ago The widowed countess, who has
the reputation OF being one Of the hand
! soonest American women in continental
I society. resides with her mother Sew
/ eraI years ago. during one Of their visits
at Rome. Mrs Leishman and her daugh-
ter were presented at the italian court.
both Americans making an instant hit
with Queen Margharita-
! The fad for flowers has resulted in the
! expression Of much originality among
the women who can afford TO have their
whims and fancies gratified. Mrs. Knox
wife OF the premier in the Cabinet, is a
great lover of flowers, though despite
contrary reports, she knows absolutely
nothing about their cultivation In COM
mon with Mrs. Roosevelt and number
OF other well-known women, Mrs. Knox
has fashion Of looking personally to
the arrangement Of the floral decorations
at her entertainments. When Mr.. Knox
was Attorney General. Mrs. Knox AZ her
Presidential dinner always had the deco
/ rations carried out IN orchids
/ When the members Of the Supreme
Court were her guests she chose superb
/ crimson roses. all the appointments Of
the dinner taking their tone from the
/ hfoccor7e 1g~c Re11 Ir-o- ~