The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-25
8SE@alS

 cial. .)-"The reign of the girl' that has held sway since the opening of the season at the nations capitol since the opening of the season has been forced to give way for a brief period to the more elaborate receptions and enter tainments among the official lift incl dent to the Christmas holidays. Be- sides the social gatherings among our own officials there are number an nounced by the foreign contingent that will be of particular interest.
 The Italian embassy since the opeR- Ing of the season with dinner party, Miss Eleanor Terry and Lieutenant Camperio. has been the scene of much social interest.
 With the advent of the new Italian ambassadors family the embassy prom ises to regain the social prestige it enjoyed in the earlier days when It was the favorite resort of the smart est of the younger element of Wash ington society, and when 1t was said that Miss Alice Roosevelt never al- lowed any other invitation to inter- fere with her enjoyment of the Baron. ess Mayor des Planches weekly re- ceptions which transformed themselves along in the small hours into the "Jol- Hest" affairs in town for the young sters. Later the Baron and Baroness Mayor des Planches decided that they did not like Americans, but 1t was not until the first rumors of an engage ment between Miss Katherine Elkins and the Duke of Abruzzi were nolsed about, and the embassy was regarded by the public as the source of official Information on the interesting subject. During the last of their stay in Wash lngton the Mayor des Ranches con- tributed little to its social life.
 Because of the illness of Senator Elklns the Elkins home In Washing ton has not been the scene of any social functions this season. Miss kath- crime Elkins has not appeared at any social gatherings because of the ill., ness of her father. Since the return of the family from their West Virginia home Miss Elkins has been out often in the mornings exercising her famous trio of dogs. Strikingly beautiful, slen- der figure and erect carriage, Miss FL kins is oftne seen in the vicinity of their home in K street, wearing smart walking suit of dark blue, the ekirt ankle length and short jacket of the latest cut, wearing a small blue hat with a stiff upturned brim hnd a gray band.
 Now that her father Is improving The will doubtless be seen in society during the holidays.
 Baroness Hengelmuller, who Is recup- perating from her recent serious ill., is talk necessary complete her recovery and does not anticipate being able either to receive or make calls before the middle of January. The transfer last season of Baron Mayor des Planches, former ann bassador from Italy, made Baron Hen gelmuller dean of the diplomatic corps at Washington and the necessary with hrawal of Baroness Hengelmuller at the beginning of the present season has been a source of much regret to her many friends.
 The state department Is now pro- vided with a social arbiter and should royalty drop in to see Secretary Knox or Assistant Secretary Huntingon Will son they will be handed about by MT. Chandler Hale this new official of the department. Mr. Hale, the third as- sistant secretary, is son of Senator Hale of Maine. He is nominally the head of the department of western Eu- ropean affairs. The additional secretary vas granted Secretary Knox upon his succession to the cabinet of President Taft Congress making the provision The social details have grown at an amazing rate since MT. Hale has been directing their affairs.
 The Germany embassy has occupied a nlace in the center of the stage since the of ba n1- bassador and Baroness Von Bernstorff have entertained at number of dinners and the embassy will be the scene of social functions during the holidays
 Mrs. John IT. Bankhead, wife of the United States senator from Alabama, has published for private distribution among her friends cook book containing her own personally tried recipes as we'll as those of other accomplished southern housekeepers. Mrs. Banlshead has a rep utation for preserves, jellies and pickles and her delight in a dinner party pre- rared by her own hands equals that of a young girl with her first dish of hot biscuits.
 President Taft seems to have established precedent in the introduction of state dinner to the speaker of the House Of Representatives as one of the official so- cial functions at the White House The dinner is announced for February IA and is called the speakers dinner. President and Mrs. Taft gave an official dinner to the speaker last season and when the efricial programme of state dinners was announced for this season the speaker s Sinner appeared with the others, and ap- nears to meet with popular approval as a compliment to the worthy office. Here tofore the speaker has been placed al ways at the head of the very large num- ber of representatives in Congress. Mrs Fairbanks, wife of former Vice President 1rairhanlss' was the first hostess to place the sneaker immediately following the vice president, and she always placed Miss Cannon ahead of the wives of sen ators, which order has finally been adopt ed by all hostesses. 4t p rr .ndc Mrs.As(5uyF Fairfax Whiting