The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
THE BACONSAS HOSTS
Long Life in Capital Makes them Ideal Enter
tainerS-WM Shine in Paris.

bassy. Mr.. Roekhnrs social prominence
first gave him his opportunity 20 enter
the diplomatic field, but that was a long
time ago. and merit and unusual equip
ment now distinguish him no less than
family connections and scholarly attain
ments.
Mrs. Rockhnl shares with her husband
the 10y Of the road" and not even Mrs.
Taft is more of a globe-trotter in unfre-
quented paths than the wife Of the new
envoy 10 Russia. North and South Amer
lea she has traversed. AT Pelin, at
Athens, and at Bucharest she was chate-
laine OF the American legation. She
knows the Philippines like a book
Through lifelong association with the
diplomatic circle OF all Christendom, she
has a fund Of experience big enough and
droll enough TO make a book OF travel
tales that would go Ike hot cakes. The
Presidents wife and the wife Of the Amer
lean Ambassador to Russia had much in
common, and by a stroke OF good fortune
their paths have IN more than one in
stance conceded; consequently a friendly
intimacy obtains between the first lady
az Washington and the ranking AmeTi-
can hostess at st. Petersburg.
over at Brussels. which is the cross
roads OF the world. Charles Page Bryan
and his sister, stately Miss Bryan, will
have abundant use for their gift Of
tongues. The Bryans are longtime dip
lomats. that IS. they merely follow the
lead OF their forbears Their father,
Thomas B. Bryan, was chief promoter OF
the Columbian Exposition. and hts brother
Charles was once minister 10 Brazil. The
new American Minister 20 Belgium once
served as minister 70 Lucerne. and just
rellnquishes the chieftaincy OF the Amer
lean Legation at Lisbon. At Lisbon Miss
Bryan enjoyed 10 a great degree the
friendship OF Queen Amelie. one OF the
most beautiful, as well as one Of the most
accomplished. Of the royal women Of
Europe The Bryans were at Lisbon al
the time Of the assassination OF the King.
and their cordial good fellowship with the
royal family served TO render their eX-
acting position still more delicate.
OF Virginia descent. the Bryans were
born at Chicago. near which city they
s;ill maintain their quantity situated
home, the Birds Nest" Surrounded by
some OF the finest forest trees in the
State, the wide. sweeping lawns. trinity
kept and the little private chapel a BIT
house has the appearance Of an old South
ern estate. In touch through many years
with the notables Of their own and for
eign lands Mr.. Bryan and his sister have
given the Birds Nest" the reputation OF
housing more celebrities than any other
house in that section Of the country. In
appearance. Miss Bryan Is one OF the
most stunning women in official circles
Tall and graceful. she carries her we'll
set head superbly. Masses OF hair. just
tinged with silver. sweep back from a
smooth brow. and clear. full. intelligent
ewes distinguish a face remarkable for
its evidences OF high-breeding and gentle
ness
When Miss Bryan visits Washington
she IS welcomed by the friends Of her
deceased mother. who. during her resi-
dence IN the Capital presided over a
drawing room which came nearer the
Ideal OF the French salon OF a century
ago than Washington has ever accom-
plished in the l3O odd years Of It's social
history. In the late Mrs. Bryan's day her
roomy old house stood near neighbOr %
the late Justice Mlller's home, and
10 that Of the late Senator Edmunds.
From their homes IN this country the
Minister to Belgium and his sister have
carried the hospitable traditions OF his
family. and the American Legation, under
the dominion Of Miss Bryan. has in every
instance been one OF the most popular
houses IN the diplomatic colony Of the
cities to which they were accredited