The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
A WASHINGTON has had won
al derfuliy gay preseason, as
entertainments, principally

~ entertainments, pflnclpdity
fer the debutantes. have
been frequent and elaborate, and the
dining season had an early beginning.
The middle Of December was the date
for the first state dinner at the White
House. and in addition 20 this there
have been many other dinners there of
less official character. which were but
forerunners Of the gayer times coming
The tea and luncheon season is just
about over now. and the dancing season
win have its beginning the coming week.
when Mrs. John b. Henderson's ball, on
Wednesday evening. for Miss Taft, viii
be the occasion of that buds first APP
pearance al ball in Washington this
season. Her first dancing in her debu-
tante year was done in Baltimore dur
ing her recent visit Miss Taft has ae-
copied her invitations judiciously. and
days when there are several engage
mcnts for her teas and dinners she has
declined other invitations. in order TO
avoid an overdose of gayety.
Her appearance at the first state din
ner this season. last Thursday, was not
her first appearance at such a function.
as she was present at one at the close
Of last season. when she acted as her
fathers hostess in her mothers enforced
absence. The state dinners this year
are the first at which Mrs. Taft has
presided since the few months following
the inauguration, before her health gave
way. II is a matter OF great pleasure
both to the young and the older people
IN society that she is able 10 resume
her duties this year, for she has been
having aIsi has planned to continue.
one of the most delightful social admin
islrations known in the historic old
n'ansion.
No one could be more charming in the
manner of dispensing hospitality at the
White House. and il has been Mrs.
Taft's one desire TO give every one the
rightful place on the invitation lists, and
10 make as many people happy as it is
possible in such position No old
friends have been forgotten. either OF
her own or her children's, when the oc-
easions are not strictly official When
they are. she adheres strictly TO the Off
eial etiquette and precedence.
This is so much season of farewells to
familiar and important figures in Wash
ington society that there is a little touch
OF sadness ia almost all the functions.
especially for the older people. one very
interesting affair will be the luncheon
which Mrs. kean, mother of the retir-
ing Senator from New Jersey. who has
spent her winters with him during hts
tenn of service, will give in honor of
Mrs Hale. wife Of the retiring Senator
from Maine, on January IS This Is "a
handsome little compliment TO one Of
WashinstOn's most distinguished host
esses, and one who has seen the longest
service OF any in official life. Mrs. Kean
Is charming example of the grand
dame Of great elegance, and although
she has taken little part in the official
functions because of the efficiency Of
her several daughters. she has always
been particularly honored guest when
she does accept invitations. The invita-
tons 20 this luncheon are almost the
trst lntimation that there viii be other
functions than debutante affairs and
state affairs with the President and his
Cabinet as hosts. The dates for the
Cabinet dinners 10 the President have
ali been set as well as those OF the
state affairs at the White House.
The Secretary of State and Mrs Knox,
who Will give the first OF the series of the
Cabinet dinners. will entertain President
and Mrs. Taft January 5, the Vice Presi-
the first dinner in their honor, which
viii be tomorrow evening The Score
taTy Of the Treasury and Mrs Mac
Veagh properly come next ia order. hut
for reasons OF convenience TO them
selves, the Attorney General and Mrs
Wickersham have changed dates with
the MacVeaghs and viii entertain them
on January -. Secretary and Mrs Mac
Neagh's dinner will come on January %,
Postmaster General Hitchcocks January
IS at RauscheT's as ne is the only I'M
married member of the Cabinet: the
Secretary of the Navy and Mrs Meyer
February .; the Secretary of the In
terror and Mrs. Ballinger's February O.
the Secretary OF Agriculture and Miss
Wilson's February l6, and the Secre-
tary Of Commerce and Labor and Mrs
Nsgers February %. This just finishes
the round OF dining before Lent sets in
which will be on March !. when society
viii lay aside a few of its gayeties and
begin a season of more or less self-de-
NAL Ash Wednesday coming on March
], makes a social season of Just eight
weeks and two days, the first day OF the
year falling on Sunday curtailing II one
day. The Secretary OF War and Mrs
Dickinson viii be sadly missed from the
circle.