The Washington times., 1922-01-08

From noon until dark the streets
were filled with men on foot, men
in smart carriages, men in the
funny little open hacks which used
to be so familiar a sight in Wash
ington. Scores Of them were in
uniform, the blue and brass but
tons Of our own army and navy
or the gold-laced regalia Of the
court dress or the scarlet or white
or gendarme blue of the foreign
military.
0F late. however. many Of these
picturesque customs have been
in abeyance. President Wilson took
much Of the spice out Of New Year
Day when he abolished the White
House reception. And. although the
Secretary Of States diplomatic break
fast continued to be held for some
time. II had lost much Of its pic
turesque quality since the foreign
ENJOYS had lost their only excuse for
wearing uniform-to wit. the fact
that they went straight from the
White House to the breakfast. Then.
Of course, the war made the break
fast impossible for several seasons.
And New Year receptions and New
Year calling were practically given
up while hostilities were In progress.
After the armistice half-hearted at
tempts were made to revive some Of
the old-time gayety, But II needed
the White House reception to start
things off with q proper dash and
enthusiasm. This year We had 1t. and
we did very well, thank you. by way
Of equaling the picturesqueness and
varied interest Of former New Year
days. Moreover. we had the very
evident advantage Of having the oele-
bration strung out over two days,
New Year receptions and egg nog
parties-whisper It not in Gath. for
perhaps all the hosts couldn't boast
Of diplomatic immunity--being al
most as numerous on Sunday az they
were on Monday.
DRINCE DE BEARN followed .
European custom and had dane
ing at his tea party on Sunday.
Hail and farewell" was the slogan
there, for in addition to welcoming
the New Year. many Of the guests
were bidding farewell to their popu.
lar host. who Is going home soon for
a long holiday.
Another merry party was given
Sunday afternoon by Senator and
Mrs. Key Pittman and the four
British embassy bachelors. who have
the house next door to them. It
seems that there are communicating
doors, so when the Pittmans and
their neighbors decided to celebrate
the holiday they thought they might
as well throw the houses together
and make one party Of It. The Pitt
mans asked their friends and the
young Britishers. theirs, and since
in many instances they know the
same people, many Of the guests
felt doubly welcome.
Charles Henry Buffers New
Year breakfast divided interest on
Monday with the diplomatic break
fast and there was loud lamenta-
ton from many who wanted to take
in both parties. The diplomatic
breakfast is the diplomatic break
fast, but the good things from
Montsweag Farm UP In Maine.
which Mr.. Butler always serves at
his annual New Year party. would
make ones mouth water.
On Monday afternoon there was
Mrs. Edison Bradley's New Year re-
ception, which is almost as much Of
an institution as the White House
reception. Everybody ''as is any
body" seemed to be there and there
was dancing and II was all very gay
and delightful. General and Mrs.
John A. Johnston held their New
Year reception. also an annual
event. Mrs. Charles Boughton
wos4rhsaA ths drse - - xsaAny