The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-19

lions to her house are eagerly
sought after. This year, however.
the ball was given up az Mrs.
Townsend has been 30 Tar from
well.
T .ooKINa back I don't remem-
Dor that Mrs. Asquith said
anything very revolutionary. And
she certainly isn't a pretty wom-
an. although she was smartly
gowned all in rnoleslkin and silver
cloth. But she held her audience
by sheer personality. That iiiu-
sive something, suspect. il what
has made her one Of the most
conspicuous and compelling fig
ures in British poiiticosocial life
today-personality and the gen
ius for friendship, of which she
frankly boasts and which she
must have to . great degree 20
judge from the long line Of
brilliant and influeptial men VINO
have been her admirers and her
confidantes.
Mr.. Balfour and Mrs. Asquith.
who must have Just missed meeting
each other In Washington. are ~
you may remember, old friends.
They were both among the leading
spirits OF Tho Souls" that pictur-
esqus and rather extravagant
group Of brilliant young spirits
which stirred UP so much excite
nent in London . generation ago.
Indeed. II was rumored Al one
time that Arthur Balfour was to
marry the lively Marsot Tenant:
and his reply. when Questioned
about the rumor. has become
historic; NO" he Is quoted a.
saying. II am not going TO marry
Miss Tenant. I mean to have .
career Of my own."
TfIE Speaker OF the House and
Mrs. Gillett have played an i'm
portant role in the festivities Of
the last week or ten days. Begin.
ming with the Congressional recep.
ton at the White House, at which
they assisted the President and
Mrs. Harding in receiving - the
first time the Speaker and his wife
have ever been Gin line" at the
White House-they have been very
much in the thick of things. They
were the special guests at the Con.
gressional Club on Monday evening
at one Of the series of formal re-
ceptions which that organization
gives every year. And three nights
later came the Speakers dinner at
the White House-ths last Of the
State dinners which the President
and Mrs. Harding win give this
year. ..
THE company was rather less
official than usual-but none
the less interesting for that. Per.
haps as subtle compliment to the
ranking guests, New England was
pretty well represented. Also .
number Of tho guests seemed to
have been included chiefly because
they were somebody else's relatives.
Mrs. Gillett's two daughters, and
her son-inlaw; Miss Louisa Hoar.
very attractive IN a girlish white
frock, heavily embroidered In crys-
tails, and Mr.. and Mrs. Reginald
Foster-ths lattsr formerly Miss
Frances Hoar, in q becoming gown
Of sapphire blue chiffon velvet
Secretary and Mrs. Weeks son-in-
law and daughter. Mr.. and Mrs.
John W. Dayidse, were present, a.
though the weelrses Themselves
were not; and Mr.. and Mrs. Court
landt Field Bishop, Of Lemon ana
New York. were With the Under
secretary Of State and Mrs. Henry
Prather Fletcher probably chiefly
because Mrs. Bishop and Mrs.
Fletcher are sisters. Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry white wcre also among the
guests, and along with them Mrs.
Whites niece, Miss Ruth Twombly.
of Now York.
There was . large New York
oontinsent--Mr, and Mrs, Harold
irving Pratt. Mr., and Mrs, John
r. Pratt, DR.. and Mrs. Nicholas
Murray Butler, Mr.. and Msp.
Ogden Mills Rsid. Mr.. and Mrs.