The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-02
Boudoir Mirrors of Washington MRS. HARDING ABHORRED
 POMP, LOVED SIMPLICITY

sand individual smiles. After hours and hours of it there must surely come a | time when it is merely a blur of faces and the mechanical clasping and un- | clasping of hands. Yet Florence Kling Harding went through with such in spite of poor health.
 There was time, of course. partic- | ularly during the democratic Jefferson administration. when it was held that all social courtesies savored of courts and kings. But politeness is the uni. rersal language and order heavens first law. So it had to come. -,.-. Each official or group is supposed tu have an allotted place in the order of precedence; and rank. length of serv- ice, or age are the determining factors. Just between ourselves, 1 may. say that | the lower the rank, the more exacting on precedent. When equality is the keynote of a constitution it is difficult to make these differentiations without resOrting to | court customs. The authorities who made the executive. legislative. and iu- dietary cO-equal did not consider \the social aspect. i The heads of the three governmental | divisions cannot enter the door at the same time--tllink of Mr. Taft. Wouldn' there be a jam: Yet each has the right to first place.
 Four Official Receptions
 The solution is found in the enter tainment of each group separately. That is why the President holds four official receptions each season. In the old days it used to be nine. But much of the simplicity inaugurated by the 1 Wilson's has stayed.
 To the first are hidden the ambassa- dors. because one must always be pO- lite to visitors. The ambassadors take rank according to length of service. IL would never do to try. to arrange them in the order of importance. Each IS naturally most important to himself. Ii they didn't apply the term of serv- ice it would have to be done alphabeti- cally Or according to weight. @
 M. Jusserand is now dean of am- bassadors. Doyen, some of them prefer to call him.
 The diplomatic reception is really the most spectacular. as the foreigners are all turned out in their gold braid and medals and feathers and fancy milli- nery. Some look quite bewitching and have Il courtliness of manner which be- fits the ceremony.
 The second reception is given to the | judiciary. There are no wigs or gowns nere. nothing frivolous. They're too old for that most of them-not all. But it is usually solemn and pOmpous, even though they have petticoated judge or two.
 Next comes the reception to Congress cabinet. Senate and the representa- tives of the House. The fourth recep- tion is given to the army and navy. Since we are peace loving nation. the army and navy do not rank so high as in other countries.
 Follow The Serpent Line
 It is a long process, this reception business. Just take my hand, and I'll lead you. |.
 After a lengthy wait in line, you are disgorged from machine at the door and swallowed mp in a crowd, all furred and feathered which is exchanging its wraps for tickets. You put the ticket in your bag. or down the heel of your shoe, or behind your ear, and take your place in the queue.
 You watch the painted faces of dead and gone ladies of the White House as the throng creeps serpent like down the hall. The long-past hostesses look placidly from the walls as the process sion moves. two and two, along the wide corridor. Then you turn up the stairs, up and up, your view being ob- scured by the broad back in front.
 At the head of the stairs you turn to the left An inch at a. time you gain ground as the minutes fly past. At last you reach the dining room, pam elled in dark wood, the mantel banked with. flowers and ferns and the furni- ture spirited away.
 You keep in line, hugging the walls and traverSing three sides of the room, before you pass through the red room. You are getting nearer now. Ahead you can see the President and his lady as they stand on your right in the ad- joining room. Here the men give a last hitch to their ties and square their shoulders, while behind fans the women make a valiant effort to repair the damage incurred on route. There is a dab on the nose.
 Velvet Rope For Dignitaries As you cross the threshold into the uAuc iVOm SOu IdlI lHIO SlnEte He. lou try to, shout your name into the confid- ing ear of the polished official who bends confidentially toward you. But 1 your voice comes in a trembling whis- per and you clear your throat and try again. Then it comes with roar.
 IOu are introduced to the President, who, with smile and kindly greeting, passes you on to his wife. who repeats the smile and greeting, and you make way for the next.
 On your left. roped off with a velvet cord. are the special guests, who also watch you pass. At least, you think they do, and for a moment you feel as important as the filling in a sandwich.
 Suddenly you emerge from the blue room into the ballroom, where you find the crowd which has preceded you. The ordeal is over.
 You meet many strange and interest ing people there and see the most won derful frocks and jewels. But. it is soon over.
 It usually takes an hour from the