The Washington herald., 1911-12-31

ANCING reached its climax in
Washington last week, when
each night had more than its
quota of teTpsichorean gayety.
From one to four private dances was
the schedule each night the dancers
ranging from little children to the middle
aged married and unmarried people, to
saw nothing Of elderly bachelors and
maids.
Attention is now directed toward the
more stately affairs at the White House
and in the Cabinet circle, with the
Charity Ball. a brilliant event to look
forward 10, January S. Tomorrow the
social season will be officially opened
by the Presidents reception, followed by
the breakfast of the Secretary OF state
and Mrs Knox to the diplomatic corps,
this time to take place in the Pan-Ameri-
can Union Building. The annual recep-
ton Of the President on New Years
Day. when all the official world will call
on the President and his wife, is a ma
tionaI custom with one hundred years OF
history behind IT, not a fad or fashion OF
any one President or administration.
Hence Washington takes itself seriously
on New Years Day. While no invita-
tions are issued for this reception, the
occa sion is nevertheless formal and cere-
n1onious. The thousands of visitors, be-
ginning with the members Of the dtplo-
matte corps. are received in prescribed
order as arranged by the State Depart
ment Full dress uniform is the rule for
all visitors entitled TO wear uniform, be
they diplomatic or military. The ladies'
Of the cabinet will stand in line with
the President and Mrs. Taft to welcome
the visitors in the Blue Room, where
there will also be n score or so of beau
tifully gOwned women. maids and ma
irons of the administration families. to
assist in the expression of good will to
all corners.
Thirty-nine foreign powers will be rep
resented in the diplomatic contingent,
headed bv the Ambassador from Great
Britain. who, in the absence of his seniors
in America. Baron Hengelmuller. OF
.Austria-Hungary, and NJ. Jusserand, OF
France. is temporarily dean Of the corps
Never before have so many American
women figured in the diplomatic corps
here. Nine. Jusserand, wife of the French
Ambas ssador. now absent; Countess Won
Bcrnstorff. wife OF the German Ambassa-
dor: Nine Bakhmeteff, wife of the Rus
sian Ambassador; Nine. Loudon, wife OF
the Minister from the Netherlands;
Countess Moltkc wife of the Minister
from Denmark; Nine. Riano, wife of
the Minister from Spain; Nine. Havenith'
VIE Of the Minister from Belgium; Nine.
Ekengren, wife OF the charge d'affaires
Of Sweden: Nine. Ali Kuli Khan. and
Nine Zia, daughter-in-law of and hostess
for the Turkish Ambassador, are all
America born women, most of them |
reared and educated in Washington. In |
addition there are numerous younger
women. wives of secretaries or attaches
Uf minor rank. Conspicuous in this class
IS the Countess de Chamhrun. who was
Miss Longwortn. of Cincinnati. now the
wife Of the military attaChc Of the French
Embassy.
Diplomats. as a rule. do not wear uni
forms after the breakfast at the home
Of the Secretary Of State, a time-hOnored |
Custom almost as old as the Presidents
reception. The increasing size of the
corps is recognized by the present Sec
rotary and Mrs Knox. who tomorrow
will inaugurate a new fashion by having
their diplomat" breakfast served at the
Pan-American Union Building instead of
their own house. in street.
Miss Ruth Hitchcock's debut December
"a opened the list Of entertainments for
the Congressional buds who are more
numerous than ever before. Four Scna-
tors daughters-AIiss Hitchcock, of Ne
Ira ska; Miss Chamberlin. OF Oregon; Miss |
Smith, of Georgia, and Miss Kern. of In
diana-make interesting group of
Senate buds. while from the House IA
miles are Miss BUrleson and Miss Hardy. |
OF Texas: Miss Ayres. of New York and !
I'm addition to the usual round of teas. |