The Washington herald., 1912-01-07


~HE season Is but one week old.
but that week promises wen FOR
what is to come The func-
tons at the White House,
round which everything social in Wash
ington revolves, began with the recep-
tion on New Years Day, which was tne
largest in this administration. Although
there were many missing faces IN me
receiving line, as wen as among tne
guests in the Blue Room, 1t was
beautiful reception In many ways. II
was gratifying to every one to see the
marked Improvement in Mrs. Taft,
whose health has been a matter OF con-
cern since the early days Of her hus-
bands administration. This occasion
was the nrst one Mrs. Knox has bean
seen in her Official place as the wife Of
the Secretary of state, for she has been
IN mourning both other winters, and has
taken no part In the social affairs. This
time, because Of the absence Of Mrs.
Sherman, she stood Immediately next
to Mrs. TAFT.
The receptions of the Cabinet hos
tesses were inaugurated on Wednesday
afternoon, and again many changes were
noticeable. Mrs. Sherman's home, one
Of the most popular of the official homes
in Washington, was not open. OF the
homes OF the new members of the Cabi-
net circle, the Secretary Of War and the
Secretary Of the Interior, only one was
open, that of the latter, Secretary
Fisher. whose wife is the youngest hos
tess Of the circle. Mrs. Fisher departed
considerably from the rule among the
(7ah Of
on these occasions, particularly on the
New Years Day, from among the ON
cials OF their husbands departments,
and has several Of the young girls, buds
Of last season, with her, making her re-
ception rather more informal and very
charming.
The diplomatic breakfast by the Secre-
tary Of State, as much a feature Of
New Years Day as the Presidents re-
ception itself. was served this year in
the banquet hall OF the Pan-Amerlcan
Union building. The size Of the dipio-
matte circle and the addition of the mem
bers Of the Foreign committees Of House
and Senate to the list OF guests made
this the largest company Of its kind ever
entertained by any Secretary OF State,
quite too large for the dimensions OF the
hospitality Of the Secretary of State and
hts gracious wife. These same hosts
opened the series OF Cabinet dinners COM
plimentary to the President and Mrs.
Taft, Thursday evening, January 4, with
eighteen guests at their K street home.
The juveniles and juniors who occupied
the polite attention of society during the
past two weeks ranged from the small
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward BeaIe Me-
Lean to the contemporaries of Master
Charley Taft. Christmas tree parties by
day with dances by night were the order
of holiday week. The future beaux and
bellies associated with the Presidents
youngest son included Herbert Micou,
whose grandfather was once Secretary
Of the Navy; John Sherman McCaHum,
whose grandfather was the late Senator
John Sherman; EIlZins Oliphant grandson
of the late Senator Stephen 3. EIkins;
Blair Lee, tr., the Misses Mary and Edith
Nagel daughters of the Secretary OF
Commerce and Labor; Miss Julia Brice
granddaughter Of former Senator Pendle-
ton; Miss Louise Dunn, daughter OF the
military attache at Rome and grand
daughter Of Representative John Dalzen;
Miss Georgtanna Schofeld daughter or
the late Gen. Schoield; Miss Catherine
McClintock, Miss Margaret Perrin, Miss
Frances Moore, and Miss Julia Crosby, all
Of the near debutante class.
Yet some persons claim official society
Is a matter of each administration. The
fallacy of this idea is again shown in
the company Of Christmas guests enter
tanned by Master Vincent Walsh Mclean
Christmas tree, erected in the main