The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-02-17
MARDI OR AS
BALI, W AS
LACKING
Brilliant Audience, But
Carnival Not So
Good

up the Mardi- Gras ball is to be.
come an institution in Washing
= ton ii would seem that the
s.rrass part of the phrase will have
10 be PLAYED up a bit more. Ger.
tafniv the ball last night at the
siayfiower was hardly characteristic
OF similar festivals that feature the
carnival joys of New Orleans. Nice.
or Philadelphia. where the Bal
Masque is function of such bril-.
lance.
There was brilliancy enough as
far as the audience was concerned
at the ball last night. In fact, there
was larger number Of those whose
names lend lustcr to society coll
umns than has been noted at any
DC the benefit balls this season.
However. from various remarks
heard. those who came for to see"
were disappointed in what they. had
20 see. The pageantry that had
heen expected many found lacking
and the carnival spirit somehow
Jest didn't get in circulation
The Chinese motif that marked
the ceremonial failed to draw forth
Iauch admiration. The costumes
were gorgeous after the fashion of
Chinese costumes, but they did not
enhance the beauty of the wearers
or make one feel that they were
taking a last fling for pleasure be-
& re entering upon the saclkclotf
and ashes of the penitenfial season
For the general dancing the
music was perfect and those VINO
tripped the light fantastic had no.
adverse criticism to make.
The floor was cleared OF the rank
and file of dancers at IL o'clock to
make way for the progress of the
royal couple, who entered from the
small ballroom, preceded by q group
Of courtiers and followed by a train
Of attendants.
King and Queen Revealed
For the first time the choice Of
the committee for the king AMI
queen of the carnival was then re-
vealed. Miss AilsR Mellon, lovely
daughter of the Secretary Of the
Treasury, was the queen. but since
the costuming was in Chinese, en-
press was the fitting title. Coleman
Jennings, one Of the most eligible
bachelors In town, was the en-
peror.
The Emperor and the Empress
took their places on two huge
chairB--their thrones-on the stage
at the north end of the ballroom
and thanking them were their at
tendants. There they sat, locking
on at the merrymaking for a while
and then the floor was cleared
again and the royal procession
marched back through the ballroom
TO the other end. That finished
the entertainment
Miss Mellon joined her father In
their box on the upper tier and
when she had taken off her Chinese
coat and wig she looked really beau
fiful IN heavy creamy yellow
satin gown made with the SIM
piicity Of line characteristic Of her
gowns.
Mrs. Henry f. Dimock. chairman
Of the hall, which was given for
her pet interest-the George Wash.
tngton Mem0rial-looked remark
ably handsome in turquoise blue
velvet and diamonds in her hair.
In the receiving lire with her most
of the time was Mrs. Walter Tuck.
erman. vice chairman of the ball 9
who also was looking her best in
q gown OF American beauty velvet.
The Marchioness Of HuntIey at
tracted much attention dressed in
gold and green gown. With her
was the Marques of Huntley and
the formers son, Arthur Bradley
Campbell.
Boxes Filled
The German Ambassador and
Baroness Nathan were guests of
Mrs. Charles Boughton Wood. The
Duchess of Norfolk and Lady Ra.
chel Howard. Lady Lester-Kaye
with the charming Mile Dora
Cata1ani. looked on with Mrs.
Dimock.
The Ambassador OF Argentine and
Nine. Pueyrredon were unable to
attend the ball, due to the death
of the ambassadors brother.
Their box was occupied by Mr.. and
Mrs. Breckihridge Long and the
Misses PatteH.
The Swiss Minister and Nine.
Peter, who shared box with Mr..
and Mrs. Henry Price Wright at
the ball, spent part of the evening
as guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
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