The Washington herald., 1909-03-02
WEITE EousE DANCES.
The Historic Mansion a. a Scene of
Social Activity.


Washington letter IN ne Springfield Rspublicsz-
Among the most interesting features OF
the past winter have been the dances
held at the White House IN honor of
Miss Ethel Roosevelts debut, AID IN
place OF the evening musicals which the
Presidents wife had given each season
previous for several years The great
East Room on these occasions was a bril-
liant sight. with the scarlet-costed Ma
rine Band playing at vne end. or a raised
platform, running clear from wall to
wall. and with the floor crowded with
dancers. including diplomats and many
officers OF the army and navy in fun
uniform, while around the open space for
the dancers stood an interested and In
teresting throng composed OF the older
members Of the diplomatic corps. those
OF the House and Senate who venture
into society. and members Of resident
social circles The entire lower floor OF
the White House was given over 70 the
guests These, on arrival, passed through
the Blue Room, where they we're pre-
scented to the President and Mrs. Roose-
velt, and then on TO the East Room.
which was TIE center Of attraction.
Those who preferred. however, 10 SIT out
their dances. strayed into the other
rooms and chatted or whispered their
little gossip OF the hour In corners where
portraits Of the Presidents Of earlier
years could at least look down upon and
chapefon them. After all the guests had
arrived, the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
would themselves enter the East Room
the President ezSzyinE & waltz with his
wife. and, possibly. with one or two IA
vored and prominent natrons
The last OF these dances happened 10
be given on one OF those clear and baImy
winter nights which, time and tine
again, make Washington IN nidwiater
seem Ike the Riviera IN early spring
The big Window leading from the East
Room out upon the eastern terrace. were
thrown open sn5 2 few OF the dancers
yentured into the open air II Is doubt
ful II the White House could be seen 10
better advantage OF under circumstances
more picturesque The terrace, with its
artistic electric globes and green PLANTS
is always worth glance at night But
on this occasion the scene had > iced
~-ait-A AAs~s Linz q tElS- ELt.Q tAEALE[iLsE
shadow TO the east the Treasury Bald
ing stood, with its pillars and classic out
lines dirnly EiihOuetted in the night On
either hand stretched the White House
grounds. open IN the bright starlight or
broken with the dark shapes OF shrubs
and trees or the terrace Itself a few
figures wandered Up and down. while TOW
and then a spangled scarf craped care
lessly over young shoulders, or else a bit
Of gold lace or epaulst- caught ray OF
light and gllstsned- The snowy walls OF
the Write House Itself stood somewhat
Ike e huge bur pale. mirror. upon which
the closed and curtaLned windows let
through q ruddier light from within
Somehow the mansion had never seemed
TO the outer view so alive with the spirit
Of earlier times Through the open WIN
dows could be seen the gay dresses and
bright uniforms Of the dancers, but. even
IN the little distance on the terrace, IN
dividuals and mOdern styles were lost
and blended IN the scene q light and
color which seemed as II il might equally
have been a page of past White House
history colored and brought 10 life.