Evening star., 1931-12-27
When it's Winter in Washington, it's

p
those who have no particular desire
to fortify themselves with raccoon
coats and woolen mufflers may skate
and ski and slide to their hearts
content.
Nine. Peter, attractive wife of the
Swiss Minister to the United States,
knows all about the place. She was
born and reared there. In fact, it has
been only during the last - years of
her life that she has lived anywhere
else, and then 1t was her husbands
diplomatic appointment to Washington
that called her away from the land of
Winter enchantment to the city of no
snow"
But to return to the seeming paradox
that one can revel in real snow sports
without suffering from the cold, Nine.
Peter in a delightful way, explained
this situation.
'In some parts of Switzerland" she
said, the days are most unusual, espe-
cially in the Winter time. Although
snow may be piled high about you, and
the beautiful lakes in the mountain
regions may be frozen to many feet in
depth, the weather is really warm from
about 10 O'Clock in the morning until
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
During this period" she continued,
sit is very comfortable to be out with
no other wrap than thin blouse.
After these hours, of course, it is nee
eSsary to wear heavy clothing, as the
weather becomes exceedingly cold"
When asked why the snow and ice
didn't melt during the warm periods of
the day, she laughed gayly 1t was
then that one could see the winSome
Uav her hlnp ewes tWi0kle0
Il suppose the warm part Of the day
doesn't have time enough to do any
damage to the frost kings work" she
replied. It's frozen SO hard during the
long hours of cold that five hours of
warmth in every "a do not have a
chance to make much headway."
X x
Nine. Peter could almost lay claim
to American citizenship. She has been
in this country more than long enough
for that. Twelve years ago Mr. Marc
Peter was appointed by the Swiss gov
ernment as its official diplomatic
representative to Washington, and
Nine. Peter graciously assumed her
street legation.
Twelve years at one post is almost
a record for any member of the present
Washington diplomatic corps. In fact,
the stay of the Peters here is exceeded
in time only by that of the Viscount
and Viscountess d'Alte Of Portugal, and
that of DR.. and Nine. Varela of
Uruguay.
But such a comparatively long time
at one post has not left Nine. Peter
with diminished enthusiasm for the
things she has been seeing yeal after
year. She is too versatile to have
entertained that state of mind for even
a moment. Many things throughout
her conversation pointed to this fact
The first thing she had said was:
L have been so happy in your
country" And one could not for a
moment doubt the sincerity with which
she volunteered the remark.
Nine Peter was looking very smart
In black satin, with jacket of similar
material set off by narrow ermine
collar. Her manner was extremely
pleasant, and acCentuated by the blue
eyes that were never without their
merry twinkle. Gray bobbed hair was
eombed in soft waves from her face.
Nine. Peter was asked how she first
became interested in diplomatic life.
The whole thing seems to have
been a queer turn of fate" she replied.
one time President of Switzerland, and
was always very busy with politics. !
saw so much of this life when l was
a girl that l determined never to marry
a man who was in any way connected
with political life.
But We never can tell what we will
do" she laughed. It met Mr. Peter and
forgot about by resolution. He was a
judge at the time of our marriage anc
later became a lawyer. Since then he
has been in political and diplomatic
life. He was a member Of the Swiss
Congress. This Is his first diplomatic
post"
And Nine Peter says she has almost
against this life, SO thoroughly is she
enjoying 1t.
There are two sons in the Peter
family. Mr. Marc Peter, jr., is en-
gagged in business in New York City.
Mr. George Peter is a civil engineer in
Boston. And Nine. Peter would not
fail to tell you proudly that she has
little granddaughter-a little blonde
curly-headed Jeanne-the daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. George Peter.
Numerous things for which they have
a characteristic fondness are found
throughout their home. There are, for
example, the paintings in the draw
ing room. Upon entering and looking
about, you have a feeling that some
how you have just stepped into little
section of an art gallery Beautiful
ink sketches and oils cover the walls.
ART Is my husbands hobby" Nine.
Peter divulged. And. of course, I
love it, too. We feel that one of the
best ways to show our pride in SwitZer-
land is to bring to the legation things
that are typically of our country. That
accounts for the many paintings by the
Swiss artists that we have in here"
There is a quaint, antique cabinet in
the drawing room which also attracts
attention. Through its rounded glass
front may be seen shelves of painted
and engraved glasses, large glasses,
shapes and ordinary; ornate and simple;
red, blue and crystal color.
My father was very fond of collect
ing old Swiss glasses" this charming
Swiss lady pointed out. when 1
was girl many of them were used
regularly on our table at meal time.
When some of them became so rare as
to be difficult to replace, father began
to keep them in a cabinet.
Now I have acquired his hobby"
she continued. II have added to his
collections in addition to making my
own collections of old Swiss pewter and
china. I love to collect things of old
Swiss origin"
But Nine. Peter has another interest,
too. She loves music Artists con-
certs which grace the Washington pro-
gram through the social season, are
never without her patronage
My mother instilled in me the love
for good music" Nine. Peter ex-
planned. "She played the piano, and
inspired me with a great fondness for
this instrument. I always take time
for music, no matter what else I may
do"
X X
II can scarcely imagine a more beau
Gful country than Switzerland" Nine.
Peter said with becoming pride.
Moreover, her opinion is ably sup
ported by those who have witnessed