The Washington herald., 1910-02-13
. ENANCE season is on in earnest
- and social gayety is at its very
lowest ebb


and social gayety is at its very
lowest ebb.
There is even more reason for
this than the Lenten season. for the
young people. particularly the buds OF
the season, have gone at the pace that
kills uninterruptedly for SO many weeks
that few more of these would have
made the list of chaperons smaller. If not
or buds. The chaperon's life is a strenu-
Gus one. and this short season has been
severe test.
Il was a season which will be memoir
able for launching some extremely inter-
esung debutantes, many OF them having
great wealth. which always creates in
terest. II viii go down in the social his
tory Of the Capital as one Of the most
successful known. in spite Of the sad
ness attendant upon it in the matter
Of the frail health of the first lady Of
the land and Of the bereavements in the
families Of several of the most promi-
nent buds. Miss Cromwell was the first
70 withdraw from society. and was fol-
lowed a few weeks later by Miss Draper.
both Of whom are now in mourning for
their fathers.
Although Mrs. Taft's health has been
poor throughout the season, she has made
this season one not soon TO be forgotten.
She has given real pleasure 10 hundreds
Of people, both young and old, who have
enjoyed the reconstructed receptions as
they never expected to enjoy functions
in the White House because of the Off
ciaI character these events necessarily
assume Not so with the musicales. the
first one of which she gave last Friday
night. The guests, who formed large
company, were for the most part taken
from among the numbers Of people who
were not included in the lists at the even
ing receptions, just over with last week.
The dinner company was a small and
congen!al one, and the programme was
one which was good in every number,
The musicale guests were asked for 10
O'Clock, and a buffet supper was served
at the close Everything was interesting
and agreeable.
Some important changes viii be made
brightly or otherwise. If rum0r proves
true. Miss Alice Blech. who has made
many friends and admirers during her
regime as secretary 10 Mrs Taft will be
married 20 Lieut.. Wainwright in the
spring, and another is already selected.
in Miss May Spiers, to take her place.
Miss Spiers IS a native Of Virginia, and
is a cultivated and attractive young
woman. She is spending the weekend at
her old home. and will probably not take
up her new duties before Easter.
The Chinese Legation has all at once
assumed a social Importance which has
hitherto been unknown In this Oriental
circle. Never has there been a represent
alive from the far East who has given
such elaborate and tasteful entertain
ments as Mr.. Chang Vim Tang and Nine.
Chang have given in the last few weeks.
IN celebration OF the Chinese New Year,
they sent out invitations for a large af-
ternoon reception in the home OF the
Minister In Connecticut avenue, which
was the residence of the late Mrs. ID. D.
Cotton. peculiarly adapted 10 the taste
and requirements of the occupants which
it has.
This was on Thursday, the regular re-
ceptiOn day Of the Minister and Nine.
Chang. Some Of the most blase society
devotees opened their eyes IN surprise at
the beauty and elaborateness Of the deco
rations and arrangements. The famous
stairway of the Cotton house was thickly
festooned with Southern smilax, azaleas,
hyacinths. and roses in all colors. but
harmonizing beautifully. Myrtads Of
blossoms appeared 70 have been used, and
so cleverly studded among the greens as
not TO appear Overdone. The same
masses Of flowers were everywhere. Man
tells were banked with green's and bios
SONS, and where there was a chance for
trailing effects they were there,
In the spacious dining-rOom La France
and Killarney roses We're used i'm album
dance, but the great attraction were the
wonderful silver dishes holding wonder
ful Chinese connections OF all kinds. en-
tireIy foreign TO the taste and habit Of
the American citizen but altogether to
their liking The room was like pie
ture. Each of the corners had a gay lit
tie figure in blue Oriental costume pre-
siding over a tea table. except one, which
had a punch bowl.
The two daughters Of the Minister and
the two single daughters of the special
envoy and ambassador, Tong, who spent
three months here last winter. dispensed
the hospitalities Of tea and punch Nine
Chang, wife of the Minister, and Nine
Chang, jr., daughter-in-law OF the Min
lister. received in the front drawing-room,
assisted by Mrs. John W. Foster, wife
of the former Minister to China and
former Secretary Of State, who is like a