The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-11-19

wants to do honor to each and In order to Guilt
vate acquaintance in familiar way gives series
of musicales, teas and small receptions some
times in the afternoon and again In the evening
Luncheon at the White House is usually an in
formal affair to which the President invites guests
frequently without much previous notice. The in
Tited are more often than not out-of-town friends
who have come to Washington for a few days
and have business at the White House. 1t is only
occasionally that the White House luncheon be-
comes what the society editor calls function.
1t would be difficult estimate the extent of the
entertaining WHICH Is done in a year at the White
House through the small and informal and semi
informal affairs. The probabilities are that every
day when the President and his wife are>at home
in Washington guests partake of the hospitality
Of the historic house. This sort of entertainment
without doubt is the most effective. 1t enables
both hosts and guests TO become better acquainted
1t becomes possible for one to say "The President
and his wife know me- instead Of Il know the
President and his wife"
Great State Functions.
In saying a word for the small and intimate
affairs there is no intention to- minimize the i'm
portance of the great state functions which in their
way amagamate for the time being the various
circles which form Washington society. One is
able to determine to some extent what these huge
assemblies accomplish from the fact that from
two thousand to three thousand persons attend
crowdng when they are indoor affairs, but 1t is
amazing how well they are handled by the Presi-
dents army and navy aids.
1t has been the custom to hold four great recep-
tons each season. The first is in honor of the
diplomatic corps, the second for the judiciary.
the third for congress and the last for the army
and navy. They take place soon after the Christ
mas holidays and are given two weeks apart Each
administration chooses the day OF the week on
xrhf fhov cboI no 0iy
reason seems to have been the favorite- day..
May Is the month for White House garden par
ties. THESE affairs are also the special province
of the mistress Of the mansion for the invitations
are sent out in her name However the President
always is present and receives with his wife. 1t
is perhaps needless to say that the parties ARE
large ones for there is no reason TO leave out
anyone who is eligible The White House grounds
are spacious and beautiful and no finer setting
could be found
There are as a rule four garden parties. one
a week until the series. ends In case of rainy
weather the party must be given in the White
House. much to the disappointment OF everybody
The affair then becomes more Ike one Oh tne
winter receptions. There IS however. marked
difference in the receiving line. Whereas only
the President and his wife receive at the summer
partis the wives Of the vice president and cabinet
officers are in the line at their left at the winter
receptions. Everyone livingnin the capital city
wants to be invited to a White House garden par
ty. but it is the old residential group who from
time immemorial have considered the garden fetes
ait 'the Presidents house" as their special festa
privilege.
Entertaining the Diplomatic Corps
An administration circle affair which has de-
yeloped into one of the most important during the
season is the luncheon to the diplomatic corps at
which the secretary of state is host At one time
the secretary of state held the luncheon in his
home, but the expansion Of the foreign corps has
made private house impossible as Il banquet hall
and so the Pan-American Onion building OF which
Washington Justly is proud. is used each New