New-York tribune., 1912-03-24
Washington Societv
ED AMERICAN AND COSMOPOLITAN 7sArrs
Copyright. 1912. George w. sraslley,

Aiiioassacof or the Thunderer, T II"
III was an evening not to he forpo+ten
the less so as it happened that after the
i'uies mad left the table I found myself
next 10 Senator Aldrich OF him and his
Iorce and his amazing knowledge and
ciear simplicity of speech and his in
'electual method in dealing with matters
OF business. both financial and fiscal
Drought away an impression which every
'dIk with him since that night has
strengthened. He has had a way of ap-
fearing in London as il from the clouds:
always with a grave mission and always
as II he had not a care or responsibility
10 check the flow of his spirits AS I
SAT one night in a London theatre | felt
hand on my shoulder. II was Aldrich's.
L believed him to be in Washington. but
FOR him at that moment the chief inter-
est was in the play. The same thing
happened with Mr. Hartman. except
that Mr.. Hartman had with him his
wife and elder daughter, Miss Mary, now
Mrs. Rumsey. That is London. At all
times il Is a rendezvous, and for none
more often than for Americans from
home. Mr.. Hartman and Mr.. Aldrich
mad in common the power Of detach-
ment; each lived, or could live, where he
chose wholly in and for the moment.
There is pretty anecdote, not of Lon
don in which Miss Mary Harrimans
name occurs. The girl was returning
from Washington by a train due at :
O'Clock, and. having to dine out that
night in New York, had a trunk with
her. She asked friend how her trunk
could be got on board the first ferry
boat. He offered to find her porter and
go with him to the boat
How much shall l pay HIM"
We'll. Miss Mary, if it were my trunk
I should pay him a dollar, but if you will
give him a quarter and smile he will
be quite happy"
Nor is il to be doubted that he was.
The third point i'm favor Of Washington
is one have before referred to. It is a
city Of prediction to many people whose
fortune and circumstances permit them
TO live where they like and they like to
live in Washington. They are people, or
many Of them are. who have not merely
wealth, but culture, refinement, achieve
ment in public or private life, or both;
men and women who would be welcome
anywhere in any society in the world.
They come to Washington. not to camp
for a season or two. but to live They
build themselves houses. If there were
such a thing as citizenship I'm Washing
ton they would be citizens of the city
they have helped to make no mean city.
Sometimes, as in Mr.. Lodges case, il
is a Senator who makes the capital a life
residence; and adds dignity to the life;
and since a house like his has also a
hostess, adds charm also Sometimes ii
is great lawyer practising in the United
States Supreme Court, like Mr.. Wayne
MacVeagh. Here are two houses within a
few yards of each other, each delightful
in its own way, each individual and
quite unlike the other, and both of them
unlike Mr.. Hays, now Mrs. Hays. Mrs.
Slater is another example, also with
private hallmark Of elegance and cordi-
ality together; the house worthy of the
hostess. The latest Of these auspicious
arrivals are Mr.. and Mrs. Henry White.
with their unequalled diplomatic expert
ences Of London, Of Rome, Of Paris.
Wendell Phillips used to hold that the
perfect race is the blended race. IT g az
true Of society as of races. The Old
World has still something TO contribute
to the New, which has long since made
its influence felt in the Old. There can
be no better example Of both influences
than the late American Ambassador and
Ambassadress TO France where their
position and usefulness made what we
call a record. ! omit many more names
than | mention, but l have mentioned
enough to explain the happy effect OF
this immigration from the outer world
into Washington g one Of the secrets of
its attraction for residents and visitors
alike. u W. p