The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-17
SOCIAL THRONE VACANT.

able and privileged to take up the mantle
Of social leadership which the late Mrs
Astor laid down?
That Is a mooted question. II New
York were the city Of twenty. or even
ten, years ago, it might be answered in
the affirmative. Mrs. Astor's gentle sway
was undisputed for the better part Of two
generations--she could make or break So
cially, says the New York World
But how about to-day? Is there any
one who can now do that? Is there any
one who alone can make or break?
1t is pointed out. Of course. that there
are many women well fitted for social
leadership by virtue of wealth, or tact,
or charm Of manner. or hospitality-many
''heiresses apparent" fitted to succeed to
the social throne. But around them
gravitate different kinds and sorts OF
people-all socially prominent. but having
little In common.
There is the hunting set. the Tuxedo
set. the Washington square set, the West
chester set the old family set, the sport
ing set. the Newport set. the Southamp-
ton set, the Lenox set. the set that meets
at Palm Beach or Aiken, the set that
makes Paris its real headquarters, and
many others.
Each set numbers friends in each of
the other sets-wheeIs interlocking with
wheels. Each one has perhaps some one
woman who is its apparent leader, but
not one OF them could control the des-
tinies Of any other set any more than she
could manage the spheres IN their prog
ress through the heavens Some OF them,
no doubt. would like to succeed Mrs.
Aston. but could they?
There is Mrs. ogden Mills, for example
Mrs. Mills to-day, IN the estimstion Of
her own particular friends. probably
comes nearer taking her place as Mrs
Astor's successor than any one else I'm
society. Her dances and dinners are
among the smartest OF the smart No
body is ever hidden to her great Fifth
avenue mansion who has not every social
attribute. To be Mrs. Mills guest means
as much to-day as 20 have been Mrs.
Astor's few years ago. Her daughter
Beatrice has just married the Earl on
Granard, which gives the Mills family
even more social prestige In London.
Yet. there is Mrs Cornelius Wander
privilege OF entertaining the prince at
dinner the only private one his royal
highness attended in New York. Young
Mrs. Vanderbilt las, among other things,
youth, great wealth. tact, and charm. and
her entertainments are matchless both
In New York and Newport She has
entertained on her husbands yacht. the
North star. both the King Of England
and the German Emperor. which is what
very few people IN the world can say.
Then there is Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish.
Mrs, Fish has perhaps as many friends
who say she might be the social leader as
either Mrs. Mills or Mrs. Vanderbilt. Her
entertainments are strikingly original and
always amusing. No one is ever bored at
Mrs. Fishs She gathers about her old
and young. the married set. and the
youngsters and gives them both n good
time. Mrs. Fish is perfectly free 10 criti-
else. too. and doesn't hesitate. either,
which shows that her position is unas-
sailable.
Mrs. Clarence Mackay's friends think
that she is the one TO lead, II any leader
is to be picked She has youth beauty.
a most gracious manner. and the faculty
Of entertaining beautifully. She is mis-
tress OF a beautiful house in New York
and OF great country estate. HarbOr
Hill, ROslyn. Long Island. Anything she
gives Is notable. be It dance. dinner, or
house party. and lucky are those who are
hidden Further, Mrs Mackay gains
more eulinence by being interested in the
serious affairs OF life. She is one OF the
adherents OF the woman suffrage move
ment, takes a working part in many
charities is a member Of the board OF
education In her home town, and an
earnest church worker.
There are plenty Of people who say
without reserve that Mrs. John Jacob
AstOr ia the natural successor TO her
mother-in-law, the late Mrs. Astor. To-
day she stands in a unique position So
cially. She is close 70 those who now
control the social destinies o. many New
Workers. and at the same time, she has
social prestige in London. King Edward
has. shown his appreciation Of her charm
and beauty by accepting her invitation
TO dinner at her London home. an honor
which his majesty has conferred upon
comparatively few American women
Her entertainments in New York are
always looked upon as among the most
distinguished OF the season.
Mrs. George Gould is another social ia
vorite who might be selected. II any one
woman could lead. BY her never-failing
good nature, her tact. and courtesy. she |
mas won heT way 10 the forefront or So Z
ciety. Her dinner and dance for the debut /
OF her daughter Miss Marjorie, at the
Hotel Plaza a few days ago. was marvel /
of taste and beauty. and the cream Of 4
New York society was present
Mrs. Herman Oelrich Is another who 4
might take up the task. if task it is She 4
thoroughly enjoys society. and whatever 4
she does Is done with verve and spirit I
that make every entertainment she gives 4
heartily enjoyable. She is the admirable 4
hostess, always seeking to give her guests (
every possible pleasure. She enters into
the spirit Of everything with so much |