Evening star., 1952-07-20

social center Of the Capital. 4.
|, Mrs. Madison was to the man.
liner born, and her social admins
'Itration in the White House is cele-
brated as one Of the most bril-
liant in our history. When the
british burned the White House
in 1872, Mrs. Madison held forth
in the Octagon House owned by
|Col. Tayloe. for a time. but. when
the Executive Mansion had been
REPAIRED, her return was marked
by the most magnificent reception
that had been given there up to
that time.
Dolly Modison's Successors
In 1917 Mrs. Monroe became
lady Of the White House, but
owing to her delicate health she
was not able to equal the social
triumphs Of her predecessor. The
most notable event of her admin
istration was the wedding of her
youngest daughter. Maria Monroe,
to Samuel L. Governour, which
took place in the east room in
March, 1920.
Mrs. John @. Adams came to
the White House after a long
course Of training in diplomatic
society abroad and ministerial
circles at home. But she was SO
years old, and her health so pre-
carious as to preclude any special
social efforts. Gen. Jackson also
came wifeless to the White House,
so the wife Of his private secretary,
Mrs. Emily Donelson, off1ciated as
mistress Of ceremonies. She was a
brilliant and handsome woman
who helped to make Old Hickory's
administration a social success.
Mrs. Abram Van Buren,, daugh-
ter-in-law Of President Van Buren,
performed the duties Of lady OF
the White. House during his ad-
ministration. She was Southern
woman and q born social leader
$50 her administration was highly
successful.
Mrs. Jane F. Harrison, widow OF
his namesake son, resided at the
White House during the one short
month Of Gen. William Henry
Harrison's administration. Mrs
Harrison. the Presidents wife, had
not left her home at North Bend
when news Of her husbands death
reached her.
Tyler Regime Lively
/ Mrs. Tyler then took charge OF
the domestic affairs of the White
House, but left the social func-
tlons mainly in charge Of her
daughters, Mrs. Jones and Mrs
Semple, and the wife of her son
Robert. Drawing rooms and pri-
vate balls were accordingly fre.
quent, while a public levee was
held once a month and on New
Year Day and July 4. The GUS
tom Of public concerts on the
grounds was also inaugurated
In September, 1842, Mrs. Tyler
died and was buried from the
White House. Mrs. Semple then
presided over the mansion until
her fathers marriage to Miss Julia
| Gardiner, in June, 1874. The Sec
ond Mrs. Tyler was mistress of the
White House for eight months
only.
Mrs. Polk was a lady Of great
dignity and culture, and having
no children to divide her atten-
ton, she devoted herself to her
duties as social queen of the Cap
ital. Dancing was discontinued,
but the weekly receptions grew in
size and elegance.
Mrs. Taylor was more familiar
with the frontier and Army life
than with society, so she dele
gated the duties of mistress of
the White House to her daughter
Betty, wife of Col. Bliss. Mrs.
Bliss was a brilliant hostess and
the White House was very gay for
a year and a half.
i Then Gen. Taylor's death
brought a new mistress, Mrs. Fill
more. She was in delicate health,
but bravely took part in all social
formalities, although her daugh-
ter relieved her at times. Miss
Fillmore was only 20 years old, but
most accomplished and successful
as a hostess.
Mrs. Pierce was in mourning for
her lost son when she entered the
White House, but she performed
her social duties with quiet dig
nifty. She held receptions in the
blue room and presided at all
state dinners.
"A Presidents Niece
Under the administration of
-