Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-02
and the New Rnen President Wilson Taboo the Tango and Turkey Trot?

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had learned at Marinfs. the then famous
and fashionable dancing academy OF thu
capital. 1t IS recorded that two iitte
girls upon this occasion gave a Spanish
dance and that ut the end OF the evening
the elder guests deiied pious Mrs. Folks
precedent by tripping gayly through ths
Virginia reel.
An attempt 10 lift this ban had been
made during 1900 by none other parsonage
than the Prince OF Wales. late King Ed
ward w. who. while the guest or Preei-
dent buchanan. innocently suggested q
dance In the White House. where he was
so delightfully."- entertained by tho chief
magistrates young niece, Miss Harriet
Lane. But Buchanan declined To allow
such frivolitv on the ground that II vo,;ld
be misinterpre'ed by sorne OF tho plain
people. However. the spriehtly prince.
had his way during his return from Mount
Vernon upon revenue cutter, whose deck
was cleared for hop. 1t IL written that
the speed or tho vessel was reduced a.
his royal highness' suggestion. In orde-
TO prolong the pleasure" There is stiil
living III Washington n lady who takes
pride In the boast that upon this occa-
sion She refused round dance with the
prince because she thought X improper.
The east room Was reconstructed pri-
marty for dancing when President
Roosevelt had the White House ripped
out and made over within. vast ex-
panse of crash was spread upon its floor
Inenced 10 chronicle gay dances given
by Miss Alice Roosevelt and her host
OF young friends. The l;randest dances
seen in the mansion during his regime
We're the balls which the Rough Rider
President gave in honor of the debuts
of his two daughters.
The tango aud turkey trot did not reach
Washington until the administ; alton OF
President Taft. who. like Washington
was personally fond Of the divine art OF
Terpsichore.
The solemnity of the state receptions
was relieved during lis regime by dane
ing In the east room following each such
function, as well a. by the serving OF
refreshments to guests. Modes OF dane
ing Were left to the individual tastes OF
guests. and inasinuch as the younger
element was, toward the end az the Taft
regime, learning the tango and turkey
trot from even the most exclusive dane
ing instructors. they We're introduced in
the White House as well as IN other ex-
elusive bathrooms OF the capital
OF legation and embassy balls in Wash
ington pages could be written.
One of the most famous OF these vas
istration by the Russian minister
Baron Bodisco to celebrate a Russian
Christmas during the forties Bonfires
burned without the legation which. In
side, was "A maze OF dazzling effects.
From the balconies hung gay curtains
studded with dazzling mirrors and In
closing mysterious spaces, one OF which
contained velvet and gilt swings. while
another WAS piled with Christmas gifts
\ little Georgetown school girl. liar
riet Williams. who had sighed TO at
tend this ball. after the cards were
out, received a belated invitation from
the old baron. who fell in love with
her and married her while she was
only sixteen.
One of the most gorgeous diplomatic
balls Of tile midcentury period WAS that
which Lord Lyons the Brit Sh minister.
gave upon one OF the young Queen Vie
tor:a's birthdays. Another MAS the bril-
liant ball which the trench minister.
Marquis de Montholon. gave bv order OK
Louis Napoleon. in honor of Gen. Grant
who was stationed in Washington as
commander-in-chief III the army. n
French warship lying at Annapolis was
ordered to the capital that its officers
might do the general honor.
The marquis received his guests in an
elaborate court dress embroidered with
Jeweled tieur-de-lis and ordered from
Paris especially for the occasion. TIL
first cotiIlon was led bv Sir Frederick
Bruce. the British minister, and dancing
continued until after dawn. when a
sumptuouS breakfast was served. The
noted Kate Chase Spraglie attended a
a bride. did the former lie of Stenhen
\. Douglas then newly married to Cen.
Williams.
Among the most famous bathrooms of
the present diplomatic establishments ar
those of the British French. German
Italian and Mex can embassies
OF course. the greatest dance ever at
tended in Washington by the President
and official set is the quarrennial inaugu-
raj ball held in the pension office. The
next largest is the annual charity ball
given in one of the large hotels.
Copyright 1919. Icy john Elfre,h Watkns.D