The Washington herald., 1911-05-21
-HE past week was a pronounced

~HE past week was a pronounced
contrast, in social activity, to
the preceding one. In all fair
ness It must be said this was
due more to the intense heat than to the
disinclination of people to entertain ana
be entertained. For there were enter
tainments of various kinds. in fact, more
entertainments, in some cases. than there
were guests. Washington people are
more sensitive to the heat than the great
majority Of inhabitants Of cities. for with
the first hot wave the packing OF trunks
begins, the boards are gotten out for
the doors and windows. and those who
have the leisure and a place to go get
there as fast as It is possible.
The real beauty Of the springtime, that
ideal season in Washington, has been
almost entirely lost this year. because
Of the lateness Of the heat and the linger-
ing Of the cold weather, and now. just
as one begins to recognize the familiar
foliage and blossoms, which are usually
In a much further advanced state at
this time Of the year, it suddenly grows
so hot that society is in a sort Of frenzy
and cannot stay to enjoy It. Tennis
courts have been deserted; even the ball
game between the Metropolitan and the
Chevy Chase clubs failed to draw the
usual smart audience, Tor there was not
enough breeze to fan the excitement into
enthusiasm. Many of the usual fans"
at these games drove or motored to the
grounds and, lacking the courage to go
inside. were seen to ride away.
Nothing but a White House function
could attract anything like a company
the past two or three days. and the third
one OF the series, given on Friday. was
q pretty scene indeed The day was
ideal for the proverbial garden party
frock, and the grounds were full Of them.
The great interest of the occasion. with
the young belle of the administration
filling the role of hostess for her mother
and the programme by the Danish
Students Choir made up for the regret
at Mrs. Taft's enforced absence through
a return of her former illness, although
in a milder form.
She had the opportunity Of enjoying
the music, which is a new feature intro
duced by her at these parties. for she
was placed so that the music floated in
through the window and was very lovely.
1t is a beautiful memory for the singers
TO carry back to their own country, that
they had the pleasure of singing at the
White House for the President and his
guests. the most distinguished people
in the country. artl the President very
particularly enjoyed their music. Their
subsequent entertainment at the Danish
legation was also delightful the only re-
Eret being that at both these affairs the
hostesses were actually missing, the
first one through illness and the latter
because of the deep mourning she is OBJ
for her father.
The grounds of the historic and pic
turesque old mansion probably never
looked more beautiful, with all the
spring flowers blooming. and the old
fashioned garden with its border of fra
grant box was in sharp contrast TO the
world of fashion surging around 1t. But
its beauty. pronounced as it is, was sec
ond to the exquisite lOveliness of the
wonderful hedge of roses which is in
its fullest beauty just now, and attracted
the most enthusiastic admiration. 1t has
been said this is probably the most Won |
derful hedge of roses in this country. !
II is certainly one of bewldering beauty, |.
the particular shade of pink, of the roses |
being so well brought out by the green |
background. for only enough green shows |
to form a background, so thckly do the |
roses bloom. Small wonder that the |
Chief Executive and his family may al |
most invariably be found on the portico |
when they are at home these spring days. |
1t is there that Mrs. Taft and her |
daughter have tea in the afternoons, |
seldom alone for it is the visitors hour. |
Al fresco entertainments are especially |
to be enjoyed at the White House, and |
President Taft and his family know we'll |
how to enjoy 1t. The dinner the President |
gave for the fur seal conference on
Thursday evening had an added interest
and beauty, being served on the terrace,
With the starry sky for canopy, and |
growing blossoms. playing fountains, and |
historic atmosphere for accompaniment
Miss Taft won much admiration in her
tennis playing last week at the tourna-
ment at Chevy Chase. 1t was her first
appearance in tournament, and she
played a splendid game with Herbert
Spencer for partner, in opposition to
Miss Olga Roosevelt and Mr.. c. A.
Courtney. Miss Roosevelt and Miss Taft
ire great friends. The former IS a
laughter OF Col. Theodore Roosevelt's
,ousin. and her mother was a Hamersly,
IF New York.
1t is possible that Mrs. Taft's illness
nay affect the festivities attendant upon
he silver wedding anniversary Of the
President and Mrs. Taft June 10, plans
or which had been rather elaborate
They had intended to go on to Beverly
ust after this anniversary, but Just now
I is not known just what changes will
AXE place.
Weddings continue to be the most in
eresting affairs and the prejudice against
he month of May as a marrying month,
las grown almost obsolete. Some of the
of the weddings of the metro
'olis and nearby cities, to say nothing
u washington, have been those Of this
month. That of Miss Caroline Shepard