The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-18
LATEST FASHIONS
AT THE CAPITAL
nv MARGARET WADE

With the war ended and the election
returns favoring many w%ell-known
leaders for former ana gayer years,
Washington is preparing for the most
brilliant social season since the Taft
administration, with brides and debu-
t%antes, diplomatic soldiers and states
men and old Washington hostesses all
playing their appointed part.
Just what the White House program
will be no one can tell but the presi-
dent, and in view Of the weighty ques-
tons now occupying his attention 1t Is
quite possible he may not have found
time for this particular problem. To
assume that he has ignored it, or re-
duced 1t t9 nonessential would be a
mistake, for even before leaving
Princeton in the winter OF 1918, Mr.
Wilson had formed a very definite plan
for social and personal of the
executive household to which the late
Mrs. Wilson and the daughters of the
house cheerfully subscribed.
That the official program Of state
functions, both dinner and receptions,
will be resumed after January /, is
practically assured, but with some
marked changes and much needed i'm
provement as regards the number and
size Of the receptions.
There is also likely to be a visible
realignment in the necessarily limited
number Of dinner guests to meet the
new conditions brought about by the
war, and by no means removed by the
coming Of peace.
In the meantime the present hand
some mistress pf the White House,
whose personal popularity grows and
quietly as usual, looking first to the
comfort of her husband n the ways
of her household, seeing her old friends
and her large family connection as time
permits, and apparently finding her
chief recreation in the succession OF
high-class musical attractions of which
she has always been an appreciative
patroness. .
At her first appearance of the sea-
son when she occupied a box at the
concert Of the French symphony or
chestra, Mrs, Wilson entertained a
William H. Boiling, in the honor place.
Both ladies wore handsome afternoon
toilets in black. Mrs. Wilson'S being
a smart, close-fitting one-piece gown
with a stole Of black fur and the very
becoming black velvet hat which had
it's initial appearance at the wedding
OF Miss Lucy Burleson and Ensign
Grimes.
Mrs. Bolling's gown was black satin,
not in the least old ladied, but giving
great dignity by a deep collar of hand
some old lace brought into present day
lines in some clever way that made 1t
extend almost to the waist. A smart
toaue of black velvet with black para
disc aigrette completed the toilet OF
the presidents mother-in-law, a typical
lady OF the old South, from whom her
most distinguished daughter is said to
nave inherited the instincts of heart
and mind, making her the ideal mis-
tress of the executive mansion OF a
great democratic government.
Mrs. Wilson also wore black when
with the president, she attended the
reception at the Italian embassy on
Monday evening. This gown was Of
satin and tulle, the latter ~incrusted
drapery. Mrs. Wilson wore a large
corsage Of orchids, but no jewels.
Mrs, John W. Weeks. OF Massachu-
| sets. and Mrs. James Hamilton Lewis,
of Illinois, in addition to being among
the best gowned women OF official So
ciety, nave another admirable trait in
common inasmuch as both are good
losers, as shown in the spirit with which
they face retirement from official life
on March 4, Mrs, Weeks, who is a
leader OF the most conservative circle,
while too polite to say so, Is believed
10 be rather pleased than otherwise to
return to New England, notwithstand-
ing the fact she will leave her only
daughter in Washington, The latter
Mrs. John washington Davidge, was
os Miss Catherine WeeKs, one of the
great bellies of a very few years ago
Mrs, Weeks Is wearing a particularly
smart tailored suit Of black with hall
length jacket and braided waistcoat
topped by a round hat of black velvet
with the severity Of its high and mar
row crown softened by paradise plum
age.
Mrs. Lewis. whose husband wen
down with his party NOV. 5, is looking
handsome and cheerful in a stunning
HUE serge gown deliberately braided il
black which Is topped by a very indi
yidual hat in u new shade of blue vel
yer The hat Is a medium size will
soft crown about the base of which
IL a dash Of crimson, also a new va
riety OF an old color,
Mrs. James NJ. Thompson looked par
ticIiarly chic IN saying farewell to he
Washington friends when she left re
Gently with Mr.. Thomson for thei
home in New Orleans. The suit worl
by this former great belle, who is tn
only daughter Of the speaker of tn,
house. was a blue cloth made witt
plain skirt and very snappy little Goa
opening over a white waistcoat an,
topped by a fascinating little hat o
dark blue velvet with fun soft crow
and a brim that Senator Lodges ex
preston OF IAN ~irreducible minimum
describes.