The Spectator., 1915-12-03
WHITE HOUSE BRIDE
Mrs. Ga!t Is a Woman of Mani
 fold Interests.
Will Not Follow Precedents in We'd ding Ceremony-Society Breathes Easier Over Resumption of
 White House Functions.

Washington.-Twic before presi- dents of the United States have taken unto themselves wives while in their high office. It is safe to say that Woodrow Wilson and the winsome Edith Boiling Galt will follow neither of the two precedents set.
 President John Tyler evidently dis trusted his public. Two years after the death of his first wife in 1S44. he came to New York, and while the peo- pie were still under the impression that his wedding to Miss Julia Gardi- ner of New York was several weeks of, they learned suddenly that the chief executive had led his bride to the altar In the Church of the Ascen- sion. It was almost an elopement.
 There was a similar lack of warn ing, though not quite so extreme, when President Grover Cleveland mar ried Frances Folsom, probably the most beautiful of all the brides of the White House, in 1886. The engage ment was published two weeks before the day when the ceremony actually took place; but the day and the hour were not announced until about AS hours before the arrival of the bride elect and her mother in the capital. They had just come from several months in Europe.
 The guests at the Cleveland we'd ding numbered fewer than forty. The only officials present were the cabinet and the presidents private secretary. The scene was set in the blue room
 Those in confidence of Mrs. Gait here believe she will arrange every thing for fine old Virginia wedding, not an unwieldy affair. but on the other hand nothing hurried or ill-con- sidered.
 Those who have visited the Galt home in Pennsylvania avenue agree that the future first lady of the land is a queen of hostesses and marvel of forethought and graceful tact.
 All in all. Washington society has learned of the presidents coming marriage with feeling akin to relief. The capital is distinctly less lively and gay affair with no White House social season to set the pace.
 With Mrs. Galt at the head of the presidents establishment Washing tons great hostesses will breathe easier. She has never figured large on the society pages of the newspa pers but she has a large circle of friends and these agree she can be depended upon as a worthy success sor of long line of gracious presi- dents wives.
 All Washington winter functions are arranged so as not to interfere with White House engagements. For this reason no other invitations can go out until the White House schedule is known.
 The second Mrs. Wilson is an at tractive dresser and she may well set the fashion for women of her age.
 When walking about Washington Mrs. Galt was seen in a white serge tailored suit, the jacket decorated in military fashion in white silk braid. white kid low shoes, white silk hosiery and a small black velvet hat.
 For woman of about forty years Mrs. Gait Is strikingly handsome. She has dark eyes and wavy dark hair, splendid teeth, peach bloom com plexion and regular features. It is when she smiles. however. that she is irresistible
 Her exceedingly warm, sympathetic nature makes those who have the hon. or of entering her home immediately at ease and she has the faculty of the great French danes of causing those conversing with her to feel they have never before been so brilliant.
 The president is not a poor man. but it is probable that Mrs Gait will bring him fortune greater than his own. Her husband is understood to have left her about s250000 As her expenses have never been large, this has been increased considerably. She 6Yps the century-old Gait jewelry .Ut4re In Washington. which two of her ,bf&thlFs run for her.
 VI lraS Gait is a woman of manifold 3 brests, Her home is full of good & oo0ll@ which share with her music the lunR Wjnfer evenings Sha ia fond cf