Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-01-26
Capital Society Curtails
Activities Because of
Death of King George
Numerous Functions Are Postponed
King Edward VIII Well Known Here
Through Visit as Prince of Wales

Social activities in the National
Capital were considerably curtailed
BY the death Of King George v Of
England and the consequent post
poning of many parties. The new
King Of England, Edward VIII, has
many friends in this country. and in
Washington particularly. There are
many. who remember him for his
democratic graciousness, one instance
being the mammoth reception given
in the Library of Congress for the
members of that legislative body
while the new King Edward, then the
Prince Of Wales, visited here in 1919.
The honor guest received with Vice
President Thomas Riley Marshall.
Viscount Grey, British Ambassador,
and Secretary Of State and Mrs. Rob-
ert Lansing. He had shaken so many
hands during his visit in Canada that
his right arm was in sling and he
offered his left hand to the several
thousands who came to greet him.
Before the evening was half over
Vice President Marshall urged the
youthful visitor to withdraw, but he
refused to disappoint any who had
taken the trouble to come to meet
him.
This was perhaps the most inter-
osttng company, certainly to look at,
Is the long line filed up the marble
stairway and past the receiving line.
Some Of the feminine guests wore
elaborate evening gowns and jewels,
not q few attempting, one or two
successfully. a curtsey. Others ap-
peared in street garb, hats, coats and
furs. When it was all over the tired
young prince actually tainted in the
anteroom from exhaustion.
Preceding the reception the visitor
was entertained at dinner by the Sec
Rotary Of State and Mrs. Lansing, the
company including Vice President
Marshall and the British Ambassador,
Viscount Grey. In addition, the guests
included two officials who are play
ing important roles not only in af-
fairs in this Capital, but those Of the
world-the President, the then As
sistant Secretary of the Navy, and
Mrs. Roosevelt, and the Undersecre-
tary Of State and Mrs. William Phil-
lips. Mr.. Phillips was Assistant Sec
rotary Of State in 1919 and has since
served this Government as Minister
at several capitals and returned last
week from London, where he was a
delegate to the Naval Conference.
Quite different was the young
princes trip to Mount Vernon, made
in . fast travelling automobile, from
the trip made by his grandfather that
other Prince Of Wales who visited the
United States in his youth and was q
guest 1t the White House during the
regime Of the bachelor President
James Buchanan. He. too. made the
trip to Mount Vernon, but it was
aboard . leisurely little steamer with
. party Of distinguished men and
women, and some Of the outstanding
bellies Of that day. The young and
beautiful niece Of the President, Miss
Harriet Lane, who was mistress of the
White House in her uncle's administra-
ton, arranged the party and was in it.
Luncheon was served on board and
there were pictures taken Of the party
which are priced possessions in the
families Of some of these guests. |
Among the young women of the party
we're the late Miss Alice Riggs and Miss
Jane Riggs, the two sisters who lived |
20 many years In the stately old
mansion Of their parents on street |
next the Army and Navy Club, where |
they dispensed old-fashioned hospi-
tally to exclusive Washington society. |
The house where the last sister died
several years ago, like so many other |
landmarks Of the city, has been oblit-
Grated in favor Of parking station.
The new King, Edward VIII, an at
tractive young Prince in 1919, was en-
tertained at number of young peoples |
parties, one Of the notable ones being |
the dinner-dance given at Grasslands,
Washington's Oldest and most exclusive
country club, by the Misses Hoar,
of Mrs. Gillett, wife of the
then Speaker Of the House, and later
Senator from Massachusetts. The
Prince also made several calls which
were . little unexpected, but none the
less appreciated. One of these was
upon the widow Of Admiral Dewey and
another was the unexpected call in the
home Of Capt. and Mrs. c. G. Calhoun.
Mrs. Calhoun's maternal ancestor
was the Earl Of Mar Of Scotland. He
also was an ancestor Of Lord Garioch.
the Princes aide and close friend.
Lord 0arioch pronounced Carry,
who hadshad correspondence with his
cousin, had made an engage
ment to call upon her and when asked
to be excused for q half hour or 30, the
Prince boldly announced he was going
with him. And he went. It is q call
which he will probably never forget.
Capt. Calhoun, who owns one Of the
and most authentic cos
TUNES of an Indian chief, knowing
that distinguished Scotch ancestry Was
10 be the subject Of conversation dur
lng the Scotch cousins call, decided
30 show the visitors the original Amer
lean and appeared In the role Of an
indian chief, startling the British VS.
|tQ3 With . real Indian war whoup.
they enjoyed 1t tremendously and were
much interested. The future young
King learned then that the attractive
YOUNG e1fl. from whom he claimed
many dances ct the parties, where he
net her q Miss Marguerite Simonds.
now Mira Charles w. Waxing Of
8. G., was the daughter Of