The Washington herald., 1913-11-30
AMERICANS LOCK
London SOCIETY
Those from u. S. Not Enter
tanning Under Present
Regime at Court.
THIS SEASON IS DULL
Fall in Stocks Hits Many and They
Are Forced to Exercise
Economy.
THIS SEASON IS DULL
1pecial Cable to The washington Herad.


London. Nov. 29.-Never in the memory
of the present generation has London,
socially speaking, been SO dull for this
time Of the year as it was this week. Not
a single hostess came forward with even
a small Dance and there was nothing
more exciting than the tango teas, of
which every one is heartily sick.
The trouble is that the American host
esses do not care 10 entertain under the
present regime at court. Another reason
is that all the great houses Of London
are closed. Moreover, many wealthy
persons have been very hard hit by the
depreciation in stocks and are econo-
mixing.
The result is that the theaters are do
ing a great business. as they are the
only form of entertainment
Many theater parties are being given,
followed by supper at one OF the smart
hotels. After Christmas it is generally
hoped that society will awaken
Exodus Is Expected.
Lady Paget has announced her inten-
ton of giving a number Of dinner par
ties in Belgrave Square. The Duchess
Of Marlborough will give a dance at Sun
derland House 1t is hoped that Mrs.
Cecil Bingham once more will entertain,
although she at present is unable to leave
Canterbury.
Mrs. James Henry Smith, who will be
at the Ritz Hotel. also is expected to be
hostess at q dance, but il is altogether a
miserably small list in prospect. There
is likely to be a larger exodus to the
Riviera than ever before in February.
The coterie of souls of which ex-Pre-
mier Arthur Balfour and Mrs. Asquith
Tg-I.a N,lE 20,
the tango and engaged the Marie An
toinette room in the Ritz Hotel for
dances every afternoon. A couple Of pro-
fessionals have been engaged to instruct
the numerous long-haired and rather
weird-looking young men how TO clasp
the waists of fair ladies in a sufficiently
soulful manner. The Duchess of Rut-
land who suddenly has become an inde-
tatigable dancer, is the moving spirit of
the whole thing.
Old Folks Like Tango.
Other shining lights are Lady Cunard,
Mrs. Hyfa Williams, and Lady Ran
doIph Churchill Curiously enough, it is
the mid6le-aged women who have taken
TO the tango. more particularly the mid
dle-aged women belonging to the set
which prides itself upon unconventional
tiles. The average dancing man votes the
tango too difficult but the conventional
hostess has learned that unless she
wants to see her floor empty she had
better cultivate the tango.
Every one who has seen Princess
Arthur of Connaught since the return
from her honeymoon has been amazed
at the transformation in ner appearance.
From being a rather dowdy and insig-
nificant looking girl, she has developed
into a really handsome, very stylish
young woman. OF course, clothes have
had much to do with it. She also has a
ne " way of doing her hair, and is Civ
ing greater care to her complexion.
Her hats are the very latest thing
and her gowns are as Partisan as can be.
Queen Alexandra was the first visitor
to the new home of the Connaughts, and
she was loud in her praise of all the ar
rangements. Their house in Mount
street, Grosvenor Square, is entirety I'M
like any other London interior With
its beautiful furniture it presents a most
luxurious and comfortable appearance.
Social Event Is Coming.
One of the first apartments is the ball
room, occupying nearly the whole Of the
first floor. Prince Arthur intends to
give a housewarming dance in the early
spring Although slightly lame, he en-
joys dancing as much as his wife. Mean
while the young couple are delayed with
important public and private engage
ments in both town and country.
Next season they will perform many
duties for the King and Queen.
Despite the fact that the picture ball
on December 3 will he the great social
event Of the month. it will be probably !
the last of these functions. Society folk.
especially the male element, have tired
of these fancy dress balls for charity.
Moreover, the men object to the expense
Of new costumes.
These affairs, although a great society
function, are already responsible for
many heartburnings. chickering's, and |
bettered vanities. When the old masters |
are reproduced II will be at the cost of |
many old friendships. To hurry the ex-
hibition of living pictures, several mock !
canvases will be simultaneously revealed. |
Old Masters Reproduced. I
The Duchess of Somersets restrictions |
regarding the amount of space allotted |
to each picture has caused many jeaI-
ousies. The edict nov. has gone forth /
that no properties will be purchased. |
Hence such comicalities will occur as
Lady Jane Gray without her sofa, and
Nine. Recamier being beheaded without
visible executioners or block.
Lady. Randolph Churchill will appear
as a Botticeln Empress from an old BY
Zantine mosaic, and Mrs. John Laverty
will appear as BotticelIis Spirit of !
Spring" Mrs. Dubosc Taylor will rep
resent Richter's Queen Louise of Prus-
sia-" Mrs. Kingsmill will be the Emp
ress Eugene, surrounded by crinolined
attendants. Many men will appear as
portraits of their ancestors.
VIYnNRr,HT NrT r0nc TAY