The Washington times., 1916-01-23
JEAN ELOT%
LETTER.


White House and astonished even her
most ardent admirers by the case and
srace with which she, woman with
small acquaintance with official life,
has taken over the rcins Of leadership.
Mrs. Wilson as hostess for tho 1000
guests assembled at the White House
on January :, Mrs. Wilson presiding
with the President at two state din
uers, 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
:. Wilson at home'' for few score
Of her old friends and the Presidents
scored on each occasion an unquali-
led 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 the ball given by the representa-
ttves OF the Latin-American republics
~ honor of the President and his bride
with much cordiality and seeming ut
'crly unconscious that she was the
cFnosure OF az eyes
Just now interest centers IN the rc-
ccption which the Washington Club is
giving tomorrow. afternoon in compli-
',1ent to Mrs. Wilson. This hospitality
Is unique from the fact that the honor
:ucst has been for some years a mem
ncr of the club and most cl her close
friends are included on its roster.
Preparations are being mace on a Law
ish scale, there are to be Quantities OF
lowers and charming musical pro-
aram by the Chaminade quartet. under
he leadership OF Miss Elsa EAvner,
,iolinist-but there will be no guests
outside the club members. This reSJ-
ation is to be so strictly observed that
cards of admission have been issued.
- s.
In the matter Of the diplomatic din
,ers the White House stec,ed very care
''.'' the Scylla OF social stag
10 Chary bdiS IF diplomatic
alecting 10 invite the DIP
| the neutral nations -
ner gwen fer the repre-
the allies on Friday AMI
ty FOR the central powers.
go. auord the CnvoyS OF the gov
ernments not at way the unique dis
;inction of attending two official White
House dinners within three Gays. TINS
rlny prove an expensive waE out OF the
dilemma, but Uncie 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 tho conflict. and never
before has mistress o. the White
House been called upon to solve more
iifficult social problem. Those who
had the honor to be among the guests
IRE loud in praise Of the tact with which
Mrs Wilson met the requirements of
he 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
4hough the beautiful Pan-American
r'nion building may he called neutral
ground: but that was by no means the
,hicf topic of conversation. Dear me
10. What set tongues a wagglng was
nc careful separation Of ofticialdom
from the rank outsiders and the con-
Sternatiou that being "outside the line
caused some OF Washington's shining
socia, lights, who consider themselves
rhe elect.
Frankly curious, I pressed as close as
nossible to the ropes to take In the
ceremonies attendant upon the arrival
pr the President and Mrs. Wilson, ana
.ruly 7 found myself in good company.
seldom have I seen so many gowns,
md never a more beautiful ball. Every
thing was done lavishly. but in excellent
,sste. and the setting was too beautiful
'or words.
Everybody missed little Nine. Pezet.
Who was suffering from an attack OF
;rip, and l heard Mrs. George Bar
nett. herself just out after a siege OF
the same pesky trouble, condoling with
he minister on her absence. Mrs. Bar
nett was very handsome in a black vel
,et gown. with a fluff OF white tulle
,,rarrcd round throat still delicate.
Mrs. McAdoo looked pretty as pink
nd did much to relieve the first for
,nality which followed the pomp and
circumstance OF the entrance OF the
'uests OF honor.
s.
with Mrs. MackaYSmith and her
wo attractive dauchters. was Gladys
'tnCG, w 'lllHW pell w dlhiilS' "h'
"ends much Of his time in Washington
N"sr days There were jewels. jewels
rd Jewels. such as one never sees in
-otS generation save on state occasions.
wish could find words to describe
you The decora tions. orchids. Amcri-
an Beauty roses. mink azaleas, lovely
'npanese lilies. narcissus. all against
background of green. which turned
be place into a verta BILE paradise. But
I could go on forever about the ball
without exhausting its possibilities. and
! have gossip for your sympathetic ear.
q
At Mrs. Gillctt Hi'rs tea party tho
other dav there was girl among the
'ancers who was haVin" n particularly
-'pning time. was taken with fCr
'rock fCtchina creation of black tul!e
LOUNGES. cut iu points. with velvet em-
recernents aDn'ied with cunning
hand The whole Was posed over
White satin. white Were the tall kid
boots of the dainty wearer, and white
7ociins wreathed her chic black rat.
rc whole effect wns quite bewitching.
Moreover. the little lady's face was so
-umiliar. OF a sudden II came to me.
she was Virginia lie Seure, whom | had
She made 1n lpbUf hNrI