The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-07-14
BASTILE DAY
CELEBRATED
SIMPLY
Birthday Of French Re-
public Today; Am
bassador Away
BY JEAN ELIOT.

Y spite of the fact that Bastille
Day, regarded as the birthday
n of the French Republic, falls
upon July ID when Washington is
by way Of being more or less de-
serted, it has been the occasion
from time to time of celebrations
which have made social history.
This year, however, because of the
absence of the French Ambassador
and Nine. Jusserand, and the fact
that Nine. de Laboulaye, wife If
the charge d'affaires, has been ill,
there will be no officiol entertain
ment, the holiday being marked
simply by an informal dinner for
members of the French embassy
staff. with NJ. and Nine. de La.
boulaye as hosts.
When the French Ambassador and
Nine. Jusserand are in town-and
several times of late years their de.
parture for their annual holiday in
France has teen delayed beyond
July 14-there is usually a more or
less formal reception at the en-
bassy with such of the official con.
tingent as are available as quests.
But perhaps thu most picturesque
celebration which comes to mind
took place several years ago when
dashing Prince de Bearn was here.
1t had been expected that NJ. and
Nine. Juserand would sail for
France before Bastille Day, and the
prince, who was counselor of the
embassy and was to be charge
daffaires, had arranged a brilliant
reception and ball at Highwooo,
Mrs. Henry c. Corbin's country
home near Chevy Chase, which he
was then occupying. Then, sodne-
thing occurred to delay the ambas-
sador's departure; and, since it would
seem to be diplomatic etiquette for
national holidays to be celebrated
by the heads os missions, there was
q little flutter Of interest as to what
should be be done.
Eventually a compromise was eff
tected, the Ambassador and Nine.
Jusserand giving a reception at the
embassy in the afternoon, which was
distinctly official in character; and
Prince de Bearn entertaining in the
evening with a ball which was less
formal but infinitely gayer. Indeed,
while he was on duty in Washing.
ton Prince de Bearn was noted for
his delightful parties, at which the
younger element always predom
hated and which were In striking
contrast to the ultra conservative
and dignified entertaining to which
the Jusserands are addicted
Recent letters from Paris, by tho
Prince de Bearn's Daughter Presented
To Paris Society At Brilliant Ball.
way, bring details of the brilliant
ball given by Prince de Bearn 10
present his daughter, Princess Bea-
trice de Bearn, to Partisan society
Half American-the Princes wife,
who died many years ago, was Miss
Beatrice Winans, of Baltimore-thC
little girl was still in the school room
when her father was on duty In
Washington. But she had a prelimi
nary taste of diplomatic society in
Tokyo, Prince de Bearn having been
made counsellor of the French EN-.
bassy in Japan shortly after leaving
this country; and there her father
gave a spectacular fancy ball in her
honor.
1t will be remembered that Prince
de Bearn and his family passed
through Washington a few months
ago on their way home from Tokyo.
They had been through the terrors
OF the Japanese earthquake, in
which the Princes son was severely
injured, and were fastening back
to Paris with him for treatment. l
have not heard whether the Prince
has been assigned a new post or
whether he is still lingering in
Paris on leave.
1t was great disappointment to
Prince de Bearn when he was de-
tached from the embassy in Wash.
1ngton. Indeed, when he left here,
ostenstbly on leave, and found on
his arrival in Paris that he had
been transferred to a new post, he
was quite frank in stating his opin.
ION that he had been knitted and
most emphatic in declaring his in.
tent1on to come back sooner or
later.
M. and Nine. de Laboulaye expect
to leave town with their children
the last Of this month for a delayed
vacation and will probably go to
one of the New England resorts.
America is participating to an
unusual degree in the celebration
OF Bastille Day in the French CAPT.
tai. The American colony in Paris
has been immeasurably augmented
during recent weeks, principally be.
cause Of the attraction of the Olyn-
pic games. A spectacular feature,