The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
HINTS BY THE SOCIAL ARBITER

NoTE-The Arbiter viii be glad to
answer any question OF a social na-
ture that may be submitted Such
questions should be addressed 10 The
Arbiter. care The Washington Herald
Many inquiries have come snent the
Inaugural ball whea to arrive. what TO
wear. how to act. and innumeraoie otesr
questions. which this letter win aim 70
cover. The Arbiter has no intention Of
ignoring any Of the questions asked, but
when many letters Of the same character
reach him It is simpler and more salts
factory 10 consider them al at one time
The first question is. When shall We
appear at the ball2-' That depends en-
tireIy upon what one goes for, TO see or
10 be seen. 10 amuse. or to be amused. The
inaugural bali is intended 10 be the most
brilliant function that ever takes place
at the Capital and il is, in way Ger
tainlv il is the largest and most imposing
affair given here, and If one wishes 10
have a full appreciation Of It's magnificence
and magnitude he should arrive early and
stay late.
There is no Official performance N
Washington more impressive than the en-
trance into the ballroom Of the President
and his party. and members Of his official
family who accompany him. They make
a grand tour Of the room and then retire
10 the boxes that have been reserved Tor
them where they receive all those who
are properly within their circle, or whose
official positions entitle them 70 this priv
fege. This informal reception Is the first
introduction of the President and his wife
20 society at the Capital and. when al IS
tod. is rather a serious affair.
A young girl writes % ask if there IS
10 be dancing al the ball. She evidently
looks upon il as an occasion Of pleasure.
L IS much more than that, and the ON
cial feature dominates. After The grand
promenade. OF. procession. or whatever the
official programmes name il. there IS
music throughout the evening. and much
promenading. but 10 dance two-steD or
waltz amid such surroundings would
be almost impossible
What 10 wear is a question Of common
concern Bear in mind thar, in spite OF
the immense floor space the Pension Of
nee court covers. there is always q crowd
and that q dress OF tuIle. muslin. or
chiffon would be torn away in the rush
and crush, so that the best toilet Is one
OF satin or SIX, and should the thrifty
dowager or spendthrift debutante care
20 wear her gown again, she should wear
something that viii not be ruined IN q
crowd. Il is. Of course. understood that
the proper dress for the inaugural bail
Is deeollete. and while we have no ON
ciaI rule. il would be an aUdacious per-
son who would present herself in any
other toilet. and for the men fun evening
dress : required.
Toe much stress cannet be laid on the
necessity OF pUnctuality. The invitation
cards VIII probably read O'Clock. and il
would be wise 10 arrive before that hour,
since the official procession IS the most
interesting feature OF the ball. Every
class and condition Of men attend the
ball. and while il is not strictly official.
al the officials are represented, society is
out in full force, and even the cave dwell
ers are tempted from their hiding places
BIZ this function.
Al those who are not fortunate enough
70 possess carriages should bear IN mind
that in tie rush and crush incident 10
such an occasion II Is impossible 70 get
a hired cab. Il is well. therefore. u
provide oneself with a proper vehicle, and
20 look 10 II that there IS no misunder-
standing Of orders. Employ your regular
livery and supulate that the carriage
for the entire evening II is said that
the carriage arrangements for the COM
ing inauguration are better than they
have ever been before, so the unhappy
experience OF the past VIII probably not
be repeated. but fOregarned is forearmed.
If y1g want EOUT sable coat back IN
proper condition do not forget tie maid
IN the toilet room. The women en-
ployed as maids for this one evening
come from the very best families il
town. and Il is their aim 10 give Inc best
possible service. but il is a wise person
VINO has a stray quarter TO bestow-
As 20 supper. no one ever takes supper
az an inaugural ban, or any function OF
ike character. no matter what tee price
or how excellent the material. The serv-
ice is sure 10 be poor, and the experienced
visitor viii feed his inner man somewhere
else than al the crowded supper table al
the Pension Office in the evening Oi
March J.
a correspondent writes TO ask what
she shall DO for the entertainment Of Z
guest at the inauguration II seems g
ridiculous question. because there is
enough public entertainment afforded
and If is quite unnecessary TO think Of
doing any special thing. In entertaining
a house guest. Il IS the little things thai
count. and these same little things make
or mar a persons comfort. Have. by al
means. q sunny room for your guest.
chamber. if that IS possible. Look 10 Il
that the bed IS comfortable. and that by
its SIDE is a night table with water
candle. and some interesting book 70 read
t betokens thoughtfulness 70 put somt
sort of refreshments on the table, a glass
Of milk. plate OF crackers, or 4 dish o.
fruit, for an empty stomach is responsible
for many wakeful hours. and nothing 81
induces sleep as TO keep the appetite
satisfied
II Is not good housekeeping 20 have Z
hard and fast rule for breakfast. tn,
most acceptable service for breakfas
Is to send a tray TO the room or let IL bc
understood that the guest may CONS
down whenever Il suits his convenience
The smart breakfast Of to-day is a ver1
simple meal, and consists Of fruit. coffee
toast, and an egg, not much trouble Il
serve. surely, but quite adequate.
Il is always acceptable 10 people Ou
OF town 10 meet prominent officials here
and after one has exhausted the Offcia
programme II is well TO ask ones friends
10 contribute 70 the entertainment Of th,
guest from afar. These outside Of Wash
ingtOn regard official people IL an entire
" different light from the way they ar,
regarded here. It is an education 10 wall
along one Of the principle thoroughfare.
with q person from out of town. That ex