The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-06
JOYOUS SEASON IS
SHORTLY TO CLOSE
Lent Is at Hand and Washing
ton Society Will Take
Rest.
GRAND FINALE is NEAR
PAST WEEK IN NATIONS CAPT.
TAI A WHIRL OF PARTIES.
Especial to The Herald-Republican.l


Washington, Feb. 5.-With Lent so
alarmingly near, Washington society is
outdoing itself to crowd in all the din
ners, balls, receptions and teas possible
before the gayeties are tabOOed for the
season. This week has been such a
whirl Of parties as to keep the more
punctiliOus matrOns in state bordering
nervous prOstratiOn if they attempt to
keep all their engagements. Some Of
the wiser ones have simply taken few
days off" in an endeavOr to gain
strength for the grand finale Of this
strenuous first season in the new ad-
ministration.
Mrs. Reed Smoot, wife of the Senator
from Utah, may be numbered among
the more discreet OF the society mat
rOns. She has confined herself to her
home for a few days in order TO give
her Overstrained nerves a rest. The
confusion and general oversight of de-
tails incident TO the completion Of the
beautiful new home of Senator and
Mrs. SmOOt in Connecticut avenue,
combined with the further demands on
her strength, occasiOned by the large
reception a week ago, proved too much
for Mrs. Shoots endurance, but she
hopes that a week of retirement will re-
store her to herself again.
The largest social affair of the cap
ital last week was the reception in hon
or Of the Senate, given by Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Sherman at their resi-
dence, which was the largest gathering
ever held in any home outside Of the
White House.
Besides the members of the Senate,
the guests included the President, the
diplomatic corps, the judiciary, the
cabinet, representatives of the army
and navy, as we'll as members Of resi-
dent society. So great was the crush
that one foreign envoy, despairing Of
finding a place for himself indoors,
much less for his hat and coat, de-
posted the latter, together with his
cane, on the lawn, called a policeman
10 guard the same, and walked cOolly
IN TO greet the host and hostess,
The vice president and his wife gave
the occasion a hOme-like atmosphere
by inviting their three sons and daugh-
ters-in-law to be their only assistants
in receiving. The sons and their wives
who stood in line were: Mr.. and Mrs
Sheriff. Sherman. Mr.. and Mrs Richard
Sherman and Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Sherman.
Mrs. Sherman presented the appear
ance Of a small and gracious frost
queen, gOwned in shimmering silver
brocade, with silver slippers and a dia-
mOnd tipped aigrette in her hair to
complete the resemblance. Mrs. Sher-
TiH SheTman's gown was OF embrOi-
dered white chiffon, trimmed wi point
lace. Mrs. Richard L. Sherman, who
was a bride of the autumn, wore her
wedding gown Of embroidered white
satin, trimmed with point lace, and
Mrs. Thomas Sherman's gown was Of
black chiffon velvet.
The house was beautifully decorated
with masses Of Gala lilies, scarlet car
nations and Killarney roses. A basket
filed with quaint old-fashiOned flowers
graced the center of the table In the
dining room. where a buffet supper was
served throughout the evening.
The vice president and his wife are
very popular in official society, and
nothing could testify more completely
to this fact than the enjoyment ex-
pressed on every face during the long
reception Of the other evening in spite
OF the uncomfortable crowd.
= x x
The largest dinner Of the week was
that given bv the President and Mrs.
Taft at the White House in compliment
to the judges Of the supreme court.
Covers were laid in the state dining
room for sixty guests. The table was
beautifully decorated with Killarney
roses and maiden-hair ferns. Mrs.
Charles Anderson, sister of Mrs. Taft.
acted hostess h. ho