The Washington herald., 1912-12-04
BY THE DOwAGER.)

The retirement OF Baron HengelmUller.
for eighteen years the Austrian represent
alive at this Capital. promoted the
French Ambassador NJ. Jusserand, to
the deanship of the Diplomatic Corps.
This post carries with it little save the
honor Of ranking first and the doubtful
privilege of settling the disputes that
arise in the corps. At all functions, pri-
vate as well as public. the French Am
bassador and Ambassadors will be given
the first place after the President and
Mrs. Tan. there being for the moment
no Vice President.
On New Years Day they will head the
imposing procession at the White House
reception. which is by all odds the most
important social ceremony and the most
brilliant spectacle Of the entire season.
After the Presidents reception. the Sec
rotary of State entertains the Diplomatic
Corps at breakfast. This year Nine. JUS
serand will occupy the seat OF honor at
the banquet. while her husband will be
seated 10 the right of Mrs. Knox.
The new doyenne OF the corps Is an
American. the child at least of American
parents. She was born Elsie Richards.
Her father, the late George Richards, of
Boston, one OF the founders of the bank
ing house of Monroe & Co. was for near
ly half a century a conspicuous figure
in the business circles OF Paris, where
his wife, one Of the New York KernO-
chans was a leader In society and one
OF the few Americans who have pene-
trated to the inner circle OF the old
French nobility.
Born, brought up, and educated in the
French capital. married to a Frenchman
and a stranger to her fatherland until
she came here as French Ambassadors.
Mime. Jusserand is quite naturally French
in her sympathies and outlook, but to
exploit her American nationality is
thought to have a moral effect. 1t shows
that France IS not sleeping; that she
Is abreast OF her contemporaries. since il
has been the policy in recent years for
a number OF the powers to send as their
representatives to the American Capital
men married to the daughters OF Uncle
Sam.
The doyen of the Diplomatic Corps is
supposed to. and generally does. take
the lead in entertaining. The Hengel-
mullers, when the Austrian Ambassador
was promoted to that position. made the
most ambitious plans for entertaining,
which were. unhappily, never carried out.
Baroness Hengelmuller. by a slip OF her
tongue and too great abandon with an
insinuating interviewer. made herself a
persona non grata to the present admin
anu lllldllN Ndlstu altI nus
bands retirement. Since they first came
here ten years ago. the Jusserands have
entertained constantly and handsomely.
None OF their colleagues has eXCelled
them in this regard. and none OF them
has succeeded in bringing about them
more interesting people with the eXcep-
ton. perhaps, OF the Bryces. Ambassador
Bryce has been a magnet for distinguish
ed men and women.
While not as well known in the Eng
lish literary world as Mr.. Bryce. the
French Ambassadors fame as a lltera-
teur is as great in his own country as his
fame as a diplomatist, and he and Nine.
Jusserand have succeeded in adding TO
their long list OF friends the most distin-
guished Americans The home OF the
new doyen of the corps is situated way
out in Sixteenth Street, far from the
maddening crowd. as the home OF a lit
erary man should be. but not far enough
to keep any one away who really wishes
to call. AS soon as the French govern
ment finishes the palace, which Is to he
built on the site 1t has bought in the
West End, the Embassy will be moved
in town. The interior of thu Jusserands
home is handsome. They own some rare
pictures and tapestries.
His brilliant staff will add much to the
social luster of the Ambassadors service
as doyen. The counselor OF his En-
bassy. Count de la Rocca, is a man of
wealth. training, and wide social eXpc-
rience. and his wife one OF the most in
teresting women in the diplomatic circles
Much has been said and written OF the
dashing and daring Viscountess day,
who is into everything and stops at moth
ing. Fresh, enthusiastic, clever, she is
the light and spirit OF all the parties she
attends.
The military attache NJ the Embassy.
Count Charles de Chambrun, is a direct
descendant Of Lafayette. another of
whose descendants and a cousin of the
de Chambruns, Count Guy de Lasterie,
has recently become engaged to Con-
stance Warren. daughter of George Hen
~ Warren, OF New York. Countess
Charles de Chambrun is an American.
born Clara Longworth. OF Ohio. 1t is a
significant fact that these descendants Of
Washington's friend and companion in
arms should ally themselves with Amer
leans. Countess de Chambrun has great
fortune, knows how and loves to enter
tain, and is OF the greatest assistance to
Nine. Jusserand.