The Washington times., 1911-12-17
Many Notable Functions
Held in Washington
Society Recently.

A week marked by numerous nota-
BILE functions was brought to fitting
close last night with the brilliant re-
cepttion at the Congressional Club In
honor of the President and Mrs. Taft
and the first hop Of, the season at the
Navy Yard.
Invitations to the reception were lin
tied to the members Of the Senate and
House, and their wives. and the receiv-
Ting line was composed of the wives of
the deans of the State delegations. The
stately old clubhouse was transformed
for the occasion with quantities of Amer
lean Beauty roses, and string orches-
ira played throughout the evening and
for dancing, in which the President par
tioipated, afterward.
Principal among the events of the
week, of course. was the dinner at the
White House Thursday evening. given
by the President and Mrs. Taft in
honor OF the Cabinet members and their
wives. THIS annual function is the
official open sesame to the social sea-
son at the National Capital, and from
now until Ash Wednesday there will be
q round Of gayeties without cessation.
Miss Helen Taft and Miss Mary South
erland were the guests OF honor at
most of the other large functions Of the
week. Miss Helen Taft was the chief
guest at the dinner given by Miss
Margery Cotton Wednesday evening, and
Friday shared honors with Miss South
erland at the dinner given at the Ger
man embassy by the Ambassador and
Countess Won Bernstorf. Yesterday the
Presidents daughter was the guest of
honor at the luncheon given by the
wife Of the military attache of the
French embassy.
Count and Countess de Chambrun will
70 to Cincinnati in q day or two, where
they will spend the Christmas holidays
with the latter's mother, Mrs. Nicholas
I.ongworth. And preceding the Navy
Yard dance last night Miss Taft again
shared honors with Miss Switzerland
at the dinner given by Col. and Mrs.
Spencer Cosby, L. s. A.
The marriage of Miss Switzerland
and Mr.. Bacon, which Is to take place
January 8. 1t is reported, is the iculmin-
alton of very short courtship. Miss
Switzerland, according to Dame Rumor,
met her fiance about Thanksgiving time,
while on visit to his cousins. Mr.. and
Mrs. Francis B. Crowninshield, at Mar
blehead, Mass., and at the time of their
about seven weeks. The wedding is to
be another strictly private affair in ac-
cordance with the latest fashion at the
Capital; Mr.: Bacon spends the week
and participates in the numerous fes-
tvities showered upon this popular
Washington belle by her numerous
friends. The dinner which Miss Helen
place at the White House next Satur-
day night and doubtless will be fol-
lowed by dancing in the East Room.
In the midst Of the numerous social
White House belle Miss Taft still finds
time for more serious occupation. Not
long ago she took charge of class Of
ssh,op sGSs st. the J sSndsy ispHs
Epiphany Mission, IN sournwest, Mash-
Marion Oliver. daughter of the Assistant
Secretary of War, Is president, meets
every Saturday morning for the purpose
of conducting sewing class at which
poor children are taught to sew free OF
charge.
This is to be a dancing season. and
lest there should not be an occasion for
Indulgence in the terpsichorean art each
week. the Younger married get has Or
Sanized a dancing class. which meets
every Monday night at the Playhouse.
Miss Taft IS one Of the few young girl
members and the officers arc Viscoun
tess dc Sibour. president; Mrs. Preston
Gibson, vice president: Viscount .SibOur.
treasurer, and Preston Gibson. secre-
tAry. The object Of the club is to learn
all the new dances, AMI one Of the best
professional dancing teachers in the
city has been engaged for instructor.
The rather limited mem bership includes,
among others. the Postmaster General,
John Barrett. Col: and Mrs; Spencer
ol,s T.ongworth. Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
Letter, ana the latter , sister, Miss
Dorothy Williams.
For the very Young people in society.
Mrs. Wickersham, wife of tho Attorney
General. has organized another class.
which meets Saturday afternoons at the
Playhouse. including in it's membership
Miss Constance Wickersham and n
number Of her young girl friends at
The Playhouse. this latest club in
smart society, Is now under the man.
sgement Of Preston Gibson, president,
associated with Gist Blair. Hugh Le-
cue. and Edward A. Mitchell. and in
cludes in its membership those prom
inent in exclusive circles. 1t was
established last wear at Mr.. Gibson 3
important adjunct. Since its reopeninS
this year. it has become the popular
meeting place for afternoon tea. as well
as evening entertainments AS a place
for the production of plays and enter
tainments for the benefit Of local char
tiles, it Is unrivallei, especially since
the private theater in connection with
the palatal home of Mr.. and Mrs. Ed
son T:radley, OH Dupont Circle. will not
he completed this season. 1t also fur
nishes an incentive 10 the dramatic in
clinations of many of its members. VINO
have the privilege of producing any of
their efforts in that line of playwritinS
The former home of the Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Fairbanks during the