The Washington times., 1916-01-23
ELOTcH
LETTER.


that have passed since the return OF
the President and Mrs Wilson from
thclr' wedding trip, Mrs. Wilson has
won her spurs as chatelaine OF the
White House and astonlshed eyen her
most ardent admirers by the case and
grace with which she, woman with
small acquaintance with official life.
has taken over the reins OF leadership.
Mrs Wilson as hostess for tho 1000
quests assembled at tho White House
on January q Mrs. Wilson presiding
with the President at two state din
ners, the one in honor Of the Cabinet,
the other a diplomatic dinner, Mrs.
Wilson welcoming the ladies OF the
Presidents official family at an infOr-
NAL feminine Cabinet meeting" and
1. Wilson at home for few score
or her old friends and the Presidents
scored on each occasion an unquali-
lied success.
Moreover, she succeeded equally we'll
in the role of guest of honor dining
with the Vice President and Mrs. Mar
shall, with the Secretary Of State and
Mrs. Lansing and greeting tire scores
Of people who we're presented to her
at tho ball given by the Representa-
tives OF the Latin-AmeTican republics
in honor OF the President and his bride.
with much cordiality and seeming ut
'erly unconscious that she was the
cynosure of all ayes::AA
Just now interest cehters IN the re-
ccption which the Washington Club Is
giving tomorrow. afternoon in compli-
nlent to Mrs. Wilson. This hospitality
is unique from the fact that the honor
eucst has been for some years mem
hcr of the club and most ol her close
friends are included on its roster.
Preparations are being made on a Law
ish scale, there are to be quantities OF
flowers and a charming musical BRO
aram by the Chaminade quartet, under
he leadership of Miss Elsa Rayner.
,iolinist-but, there will be no guests
outside the club members. This reSJ-
iation is to be so strictly observed that
cards of admission have been issued.
- t+-
In the matter Of the diplomatic din
ners the White House steered very care
-'-.'', the Scylla OF social stug-
10 ChArybdis IF diplomatic
slectlug TO invite the dir-
| the neutral nations 10
ner gwen for the repre-
the allies on Friday AMI
tY for the central powers,
.,.,. amord the CnVoyS OF the gov
ernments not at war the unique dis
tinction of attending two official White
House dinners within three days. This
rlay prove an expensive way out OF the
dilemma, but Uncle Sam must keep his
neutrality on straight.
Even at that. Fridays dinner wasn't
an easy situation to handle. with several
OF the officially neutral nations on the
verge Of joining the conflict, and never
before has a mistress o. the White
House been called upon to solve more
iifficult social problem. Those who
had the honor to be among the guests
are loud in praise Of the tact with which
Mrs. Wilson met the requirements Of
The occasion.
It was an unprecedented thing for the
PRESIDENT Of the United States to be
entertained by a group of the diplomatic
representatives OF foreign countries. al
shough the beautiful Pen-Amertcan
Union building may he called neutral
ground: but that was by no means the
chief topic of conversation. Dear me-
no. What set tongues a wasging was
the careful separation Of officialdom
from the rank outsiders and the con-
sternation that being outside the line"
caused some OF Washington's shining
social lights, who consider themselves
the elect.
Frankly curious, pressed as close as
nosslble to the ropes to take In the
ceremonies attendant upon the arrival
Dr the President and Mrs. Wilson, and
truly I found myself in good company.
seldom have I seen so many gowns.
and never a more beautiful ball. Every
thing was done lavishly. but in excellent
,aste, and the setting was too beautiful
'or words.
Everybody missed little Nine. Pezet.
who was suffering from an attack OF
grip, and 1 heard Mrs. George Bar
nett. herself just out after a siege OF
the same pesky trouble. condoling with
the minister on her absence. Mrs. Bar
nett was very handsome in a black vel
vet gown. with nun OF white tulle
wrapped round a throat still delicate.
dTs. McAdoo looked pretty as pink
nd did much to relieve the first for
nality which followed the pomp and
circumstance of the entrance OF tho
zuests OF honor.
with Mrs. Mackay-Smith and her
.wo attractive daughters. was Gladys
lance. william Bell Watkins, who
nends much OF his time in Washington
hose days. There we're jewels. jewels
nd Jewels. such as one never sees In
wis generation save on state occasions
wish could find words to describe
, you the decorations. orchids. Ameri'
an Beauty roses. pink azaleas, lovely
'apanese lilies, narcissus, all against
background OF green, which turned
he place into a veritable paradise. But
could go on forever about the bal
without exhausting its possibilities, anc
have gossip for your sympathetic ear
At Mrs. Giliett HIS tea party thu
other daV there was girl among tho
1ancers who was having a particularly
ripping time. was taken with EeI
'rock. n fCtchinw creation of black tull'
LOUNGES. cut IN points with velvet em
niecements applied with n cuInht
hand. The whole was posed oVsl
white satin. white We're the tall kiC
boots Of the dainty wearer, and whit