The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08

New York, January 7.-(Special)-The opening week of the new year in the
 world of society in New York was marked by the number of dances and dinners I among the 400" While some of the
 dances were given in honor of debutantes. others were given in the interest of char fty institutions and were all attended by
 the exslusive society folks who gave their
 aid as well as their means to make the event a success. Among those who lent their aid to these dances were such lead CTS as Mrs. Sloan, Mrs. George Gould,
 Mrs. Drexel and Mrs. Vanderbilt. They began with the return of those who spent the holidays out of the city. Quite 8
 list of dances are included in the social
 calendar. for the month of January.
 The marriage of a number of young
 couples will also add lustertto the social | events of the month, as will number of receptions yet to be given in honor of debutantes But as the debutante en- joyed the seat of honor in the opening
 of the social season she has been forced to give way for the older set who will
 reign during the closing part of the year. The end of the first week in January,
 however, was marked by the exodus of
 a number of New York's society folks
 who will spend the latter part of the win ter and the spring in travel abroad. On Saturday quite a company, including
 Miss Agnes Edgar, one of the leading debutantes of the season, left for south
 ern Europe Already invitations are out land plans being made for gay season at Cairo and Algeries. Others will soon
 join In the gayeties in southern Italy.
 But the season will not close in New York for seevral weeks yet and the calendar for the month of February contains an- nouncements that will keep society nov 1 ing between the resorts and the city
 mansion, where functions are being given. s..s-sf .s5 i | Friends of Countess Laszio Szechenyi, formerly Miss Gladys Vanderbilt. have heard with much interest from Budapest l that the multi-millionaire fairy princes has accepted the office of vice president of the National Children's Aid society.
 Since accepting the office the countess
 has given out an interview in which she l tells of her aim in life. Believe me,
 she said in. answer to a question from a
 newspaper writer who had been. received | for the purpose of granting an interview, and who had asked whether she intended tn enter into active duties of the, society, "it is not an empty phase if I say that I would like to tighten the burden of all the afflicted and suffering. This is hard l ly possible except through the channels of philanthropic societies. I shall dedi- i cate my time and part of the material resources at my command readily to help others. In Hungary, especially in Buda- pest and in certain other parts of the country, as am aware there is plenty of misery. According to my idea we
 must first help the destitute and suffering children, who must be brought up sound | In body and mind. and therefore gladly accepted the vice presidency of the Ma tional Children's Aid. society. Through | it may accomplish some good.
 "When first came to Hungary l was accompanied by my mother and my younger. brother, with whom I live on very good terms. Later I took fancy l to Oermezoe$ castle; my baby was born there, too. I feel very much at home in | if. and we entertain numerous hunting | parties there. In Budapest, on the other hand, I still feel a guest, living as we do | In a hotel until our own place is ready. Then, of course, you are going to en- tertain on a large scale"
 l "At all events we shall take position
 in Budapest society in accordance with cur rank and fortune. As far as I am concerned,s am not too fond of appear | ing in public, but to a certain extent ] shall willingly do what is expected oi me-" .e
 Speaking about the new palace the countess said:
 "Ait the work and all the fittings will be, of course. as far as possible the prod