The Washington times., 1911-01-11
President and Mrs. Taft
Give First State Levee
of the Season.

of the Season.
The President and Mrs. Taft were
hosts at a beautiful reception at the
White House last night in honor of the
Diplomatic Corps. This function, given
annually in compliment to the foreign
representation in Washington, is the
first in the series of state levees, and,
on account of the pomp and splendor
of the court uniforms of the ambassa-
dors and ministers and their retinue, is
always the most picturesque.
Last night the scene was an especial
ly brilliant one with the stately drawing
rooms of the Executive Mansion ablaze
with a myriad of lights and flowers.
The Marine Band. stationed in the cor
ridor, played throughout the evening.
Four buglers announced the arrival Of
the President and Mrs. Taft and the
Cabinet officers and their wives, who
formed the receiving line, from the up
per apartments, promptly at $50 o'clock.
The reception of the guests assembled
in the East Room began Immediately
afterward, Captain Butt, U. s. A, max
the doors of the state dining room.
where an elaborate buffet supper was
served, were thrown open.
About II o'clock the musicians left
the corridor and took their station at
the north end of the historic East Room,
which has come to be regarded as the
White House ballroom, and played a
program of dance music until after mid
night
After the last guest had been received
the President and Mrs. Taft were es-
corted to the supper room and later
Joined the dancers in the East Room.
Mrs. Taft did not dance, but the Presi-
dent and his niece, Miss Harriet Ander-
son, appeared on the floor for at least
one number.
Miss Helen Taft was quite the belle
OF the occasion, dancing every number
Gorgeous ToiletteS
Of Distinguished Women.
Aside from the festive appearance lent
~ the scene by the gorgeous uniforms
of the diplomats ana the army and
navy officers, the handsome toiIettes of
the women were especially noticeable.
Mrs. Taft was handsomely gowned in
OF black chiffon embroidered in
silver and crystals with a corsage bou-
quet Of orchids and a bandeau of silver
and pink rosebuds in her hair.
Mrs. Sherman, who stood next in the
receiving line, was an attractive figure
in pink brOcaded velvet with a garni-
ture of silver and crystals on the bodice
Mrs. Knox, wife of the Secretary of
State, wore beautiful gown of pink
panne velvet, and Mrs. MacVeagh, wife
of the Secretary of the Treasury, wore
q stunning gown of French blue satin
brocaded in pink roses.
Mrs. Dickinson, wife of the Secretary
of War, was absent from the line on
account of mourning, and Mrs. Wicker
sham, wife of the Attorney General, on
account of illness.
Mrs. Meyer, wife of the Secretary OF
the Navy, wore black satin with gar
niture of silver and crystals across the
top of the corsage.
Mrs. Ballinger wife of the Secretary
OF the Interior, was becomingly attired
in apricot satin veiied in marQuisette,
with diamond ornaments.
Mrs. Nagel, wife of the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor, was in white satin
Veied in black lace.
Miss Taft, who came down stairs
slightly ahead of the receiving party
and took her place in the Blue Room,
wore a particularly becoming gown of
French blue satin draped with chiffon
and trimmed with garlands of pink
N)SebudS.
Nieces of Mrs. Taft
Attractively Gowned.
The Misses Anderson, n1eces of Mrs.
Taft, were quite the center of attrac-