The Washington herald., 1919-11-02

In an old grey sweater that dated
back to Princeton days ana had a rip
In M The King OF q great nation-A
the President OF q greater nation
what could have been more truly
democratic and humanl At the tea
party Mrs. Wilson poured herself, Just
IKE any hostess on an informal day
at home. Miss Benham usually pre-
sides at the tea table at Mrs. Wilson's
informal tea parties Mrs. Wilson saw
the nations guests quite often after
all They called at the White House
twice; she called on them and took the
Queen automobile riding.
In spite Of the rush the King found
time to take several walks through
our lovely Rock Creek Park. and the
prince went car riding Just like you
and might do. Up at the Capitol.
when the King was announced, the
man who did the announcing said
something about King Albert Of Bel
gium e'and his suite" heard q
young lady say beside me. "'And he's
sweet. that man stated the truth"
There were only three formal func-
tons given for their majesties; three
big dinner parties. II was said that
the dinner lists would be so arranged
that the guests ut one would not be
honored at another. in that way ring
ing In" most Of the official and dIplo-
matte world. But according to what
learned OF those parties. about the
same people attended them ali--the
diplomats. the Cabinet. the members
OF the royal party and a few State
Department heads.
It's fit for a king!"
And IL is: That old saying GER
tainly is true of. the palatial man
sion OF Mrs. Thomas r. Walsh at
1900 Massachusetts, avenue, where
the King of the Belgians and his
consort dined their first evening
here as the guests of the Vice Pres
ident Thomas r Marshall. acting
for the President of the United
States. and Mrs. Marshall.
That dinner was the most i'm
portant social event that ever took
place in the history OF the Capital.
For the first time in the social an
mails OF this country a reigning King
and Queen were entertained at a
formal dinner party. both Royal and
official, in the home OF a private
citizen. No handsomer setting could
possibly have been found. not ex-
cepting even the White House, than
the Walsh home. Moreover, II was
a singularly fitting place in which
to entertain the rulers Of the Bel
Eians as the Kings predecessor and
Mr.. Walsh were CLOSE friends. wft.n
. the house was built a royal suite
was added for the purpose OF enter
tanning King Leopold but his
planned visit here never material
ized.
Also in the eame gorgeous, spa
cious old salon respondent of the
French Renaissance where the
dinner table was laid. Mrs. Walsh.
with the aid OF her friends, during
the past two years, has made
thousands of garments for the relief
Of the needy in Belgium. II was in
recognition OF that splendid work
/ in aid OF her country's sufferers that
the Queen bestowed upon Mrs
Walsh, following tSe dinner. the
decoration of the Order Of Elizabeth.
the queens own decoration. and the
highest that can be bestowed by
, her.
The company was strictly an on
cial one. such as would have been
invited TO the White House had the
! President been able to be host to
tIatcsllcs. Inc re-
gal red carpet for royalty was laid
from the carriage to the door of the
house. The great front doors or
Ms avenue were thrown
open that night for the first time
since Mr.. Walsh's funeral. The din
ing table was q sight for the gods
it fairy glowed with its wonderful
gold service. quite complete. includ-
ing not only plates, knives and forks
and such, but with a huge set Of art
istic vases. urns and epergnes for
the flowers and fruits which formed
the decorations.
Quite in contrast to all that splen-
dor was the handsome but simple
and elegant table OF the Secretary OF
State and Mrs. Lansing. who enter
tained them at dinser the following
evening. II was typical Of an aris-
tocratic American home. The public
has Learned little Of the details OF
the party which the Belgian Anbas-
sador and mis- wife gave on Thursday
night for their matesties. Perhaps
they have not vet grown accustomed
to the methods of American news
papers. 1t was learned. however, that
il is proper to say OF that occasion
that the King and Queen and the