The New York herald., 1922-01-29
BRILLIANT PARTIES HELD IN WASHINGTON

state group was really ratner plctu
rescue. There was one big double boz
In the middle OF the long side Of the
room. 1t was divided in two and the
British Ambassador and Lady Geddes
who had with them Lord and Lady Lee
and Mr.. Balfour. sat in one part with
the British flag draped over 1t. and tn,
President and Mrs. Harding in the
other with the American flag by way
o. decoration and the Presidents FLAG
keeping the Stars and Stripes company
Mrs. Harding wore a particularly be-
coming gown of soft white satin with
rhinestone embroideries and a square
paneled train heavily embroidered There
was graceful sash OF black tulle and
big black ostrich fan. and under the
usual black velvet band around hei
throat q handsome lavelliere of dia-
monds in platinum setting almost filled
in the modest decolletage. They didn't
stay long. but their box was surrounded
and they were gracious and smiling
and everybody was sorry to see them 60
The judiciary reception at the White
House the next night was along the
same line as the diplomatic reception
OF two weeks earlier. but 1t was con.
siderably smaller. Mrs. Harding wore
lovely trained gown Of pink velvet
and having told oneself the night be.
fore that she certainly did look well IL
the white and black gowns, Of which
she has several, one told oneself how
remarkably well she wore colors. The
gown that night was of the new "gera.
mum" color. and was slightly draped
over a petticoat Of gold lace. The re.
ceiving party was made up Of the Presi.
dent and Mrs. Harding and the Attor-
ney-General, with the other Cabinet
v,ao ,I&4,. 4. ot~ ~.,s.x
ber Of others Of the Administration
circle greeting the officials and other
specially invited guests as they made
their way into the Blue Room after greet
ing their hosts. and the AttorneyGen-
eral, who was asked to receive with the
Hardings on this occasion, just as the
Secretary Of State and Mrs. Hughes were
at the diplomatic reception, because OF
ali the Cabinet members he Is the one
whose department Is most closely In
touch with the special guests of the
evening. BY happy coincidence 1t was
Mr. Daugherty's sixty-second birthday,
and he had the cream of the country's
legal talent to wish him the conventional
MANY happy returns"
The Coolidges, as already noted. were
away speeding Westward on their way
to Indianapolis, but the Secretary OF
in evidence, the Secretary genial, almost
gay as he greeted his former associates
on the Supreme Court bench. One could
not but think Of the topsy-turvy way
things happen when one noticed him
shaking hands with Chief Justice Taft,
who as President had called him to the
Supreme Court from the Governorship
Of New York, and who now as Chief
Justice was greeting him as Secretary
Of State. It was piquantly suggestive
meeting there In the historic Blue Room,
where Taft had so often, himself played
host.
Brilliant Costumes Worn.
Mrs. Hughes seemed in the best pos
sible spirits. She looked particularly
well in gown very close to the same
color as Mrs. Harding's. with glimpses
of silver lace here and there. and band
of silver ribbon around her throat. very
much as Mrs. Harding wears her black
velvet. V
A little later + caught glimpse Of her
talking to Alice Observation-Disclosures
Alice" still, to all who really know their
Northumberland as always. center
Of interest. She wore quite a stunning
gown. drapey and sinuous, of amethyst
satin brocaded in gold. cut In not very
deep square back and front, with long
dangling earrings and a long dangling
chain, and little brocaded slippers to
match. Mrs. Longworth and Mrs.
Hughes were sufficiently worth watch
ing, and. In few minutes Mrs. Gillett
Joined them, stunningly handsome in
purple chiffon velvet and silver, with a
quite wonderful filet Of diamonds. She
ia certainly one of the best looking
women in Washington.
Mrs Louis Hertle. in sapphire blue
chiffon velvet and tulle, Joined them.
and the four of them stood there handy
ing jest and comment and all Of them
apparently quite content with their COM
pany. believe the Hertles originally
came out Of Chicago, but don't really
know what their connection is--with
anything but Gunston Hall. They own
that delightful. historic old place. and
entertain there most charmfngly. have
week end parties that are the delight OF
those who go to them and the envy of
those who don't because they aren't
asked And Washington may be rather
overrun with people who so to parties
unasked--or after they asked to be
aslsed-but they don't seem to quite
have the nerve to attach themselves to
week end house parties without invita-
ton. Gunston Hall is famous both for
the beauty of it's gardens, In garden
time. and for the fine old mansion. and
for the hospitality Of it's owners
The Merediths-former Secretary Of
Agriculture and Mrs. Edwin T. Mere
tlith-were there, and It was nice to
greet Mrs Meredith again. She GER
tainly is a real person. And she looked
lovely in a brilliant tomato red velvet
with silver, over a silver petticoat and
with shoes of the velvet. Mrs. McChord
was with her, as usual--they are insep-
arabic.
Princess Cantacuzene-S Speranskey was
there and her lovely mother. Mrs. Fred
erick Dent Grant: Mrs William Hamil-
ton Bayly, and DR.. and Mrs. Merrill E.
Gates.
IT was nearly II o'clock when the
British Ambassador and Lady Geddes
arrived--he IN all the bravery OF his
diplomatic uniform. she in gown OF
crimson brocade and the lovely white
fox neckpiece thrown over her shoulders.
She wears that almost everywhere. pos
sibly as compliment to the men of the
British delegation at the conference, for
I'm told that they gave II to her for
Christmas. Ambassador and Nine. lie
Breton Of Argentina. Gen. Chamorra.
the Nicaraguan envoy. and Mime. Cha
mora: DR.. Ballivian. .he Minister OF
Bolivia. and Sonora Ballivian. and their
very blonde young daughter. who Is one
OF this years debutantes. Or. and Mrs.
Grouitch, the Minister of Serbia. and
his wife. and the Swedish Minister and
Nine. wallenberg. who had been enter
tanning the French Ambassador and
Nine. Jusserand at dinner earlier in the
evening.