The Washington times., 1912-01-10
GORGEOUS GOWNS
AND GEMS WORN BY
SOC|ETYOF CAPITAL
Distinguished c o m an y
Greets Foreign ENJOYS at
the White House.

One of the most resplendent fupc-
tons In the social annals Of Washing
ton was the diplomatic reception at the
White House last night Practically
the entire corps attended, and the dis
tinguished company invited to meet
them included even more than the GUS
tomary representation Of social lights
from other cities
The reception began promptly at $50
O'clock when the President and Mrs
Taft and the members of the Cabinet
and their wives, who formed the receive
ing party assisting the President and
Mrs. Taft, descended the stairs from
the upper apartments and took their
places in the Blue Room. Immediately
the guests. who had assembled in the
East Room, formed in line and 1t was
near midnight when the last guest
had been greeted by the President.
Throughout the reception N,e Marine
Band, under the direction of Lieutenant
Santelmann. played a program Of popu-
lar airs, and later a program Of dance
music for the dancing in the East Room
after the receiving line broke UP.
The entire suite of state apartments
was tastefully decorated with clusters of
American Beauty, Richmond, and Kill
larney roses, palms, and ferns, and in
the state dining-room, where an elabo-
rate repast was served, the decorations
were huge clusters Of red carnations.
Despite the severe weather an un-
usually large company attended. and
most OF them remained for the dancing.
The President spent considerable time
in the East Room after leaving the line.
but contrary to expectations. and great
ly to the disappointment of the dancing
contingent, did not indulge on this
occasion.
In the entire series of state receptions
given each winter. the first, the diplo-
matte, and the last, the army and navy,
always are the most brilliant because
of the attendant display Of gold lace
and color in the uniforms worn by the
foreign contingent. and the officers Of
the American service. And last night
was no exception to the rule, the gay
colors so predominant in the feminine
toilettes this season blending well with
the gold lace and military trappings.
Mrs. Taft's Gown
White Satin and Lace.
| Mrs. Taft wore white satin, with
touches of lace on the bodice. and a
drapery and court train ofs brocaded
white satin. She carried a huge clus-
ter Of orchids and white lilacs.
Mrs. Knox, wife of the Secretary of
State, who stood on her right, wore
soft emerald green satin, embroidered
in gold, with touch of French lace
and tulle at the top Of the corsage.
Mrs. MacVeagh, wife OF the Secre-
tary of the Treasury wore ivory satin.
with bertha of Venetian point lace,
with a handsome necklace of dia-
monds and a rope of pearls around her
neck and a tiara Of diamonds.
Mrs. Meyer. wife of the Secretary of
the Navy. was a stately figure in plum:
colored velvet, with the bodice draped
in tulle: and a rope Of beautifully
matched pearls.
Mrs. Fisher, wife of the Secretary of
the Interior, wore turquoise blue bro
the corsage, and Mrs. Nagel. wife of
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
wore white satin hrar.d In chiffon and
trimmed in bands of fur.
tired in white satin. with an over
drapery of brocade. embroidered in
gold, with bandeau of chiffon and
cousin, Miss Harriet. Anderson. who
accompanied her during the evening.
wore white satin. veiled in black chif-
fon. embroidered in Jet, with pearl
ornaments.
Mrs. Longworth
In Striking Costume.
Mrs Nicholas Longworth. the former
White House belle. and always one of
the most attractively gowned wonen Il,
any assemblage, wore American Beauty
brocaded satin, with pearl and dia-
mond ornaments. and q scarf OF filmy
tulle. draped over her shoulders, CIV
ing most effective touch to her COS
! tune.
Mrs. Timmons wife Of the President s
naval aid, wore black velvet, embroid-
cred in rhinestones, with a paradise
| aigrette In her hair.
Mrs. Spencer Cosby. wife of the mill
tary aide to the President. wore white
satin yelled in black chiffon with ef-