THE VON MOLTKE OF SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 170, 11 April 1908, Page 11

THE VON MOLTKE OF SOCIETY.

The "Daily Mai]" gives an interesting sketch of Mrs. Tower, the. American Ambassadress, who was recently described by the Kaiser as tho Von Moltke of Society! and "the greatest social leader of my reign." Mrs. Tower is a Californian woman, of what democratic America likes to call "good fnniily." Sho is a college graduate, a fluent linguist, and a.wit, and boforo.being appointed to tho Court at Berlin her husband had been Ambassador at Vienna and St. Petersburg.. At both these 'Courts Mrs. Tower distinguished herself by her tact and charm. Her husband's great wealth enabled her to entertain on tho magnificent scalo characteristic of tho Tsar's glittering Court, and the American Embassy, housed in a palatial qrtablishment of tho Tower's own maintenance, l>ccamo ,tho scene of some of tho most splendid functions Russian "uppertendom" had over known. Berlin's Lack of Hostesses. , Mr. Tower was promoted to the American \Embassy in Berlin in 1903. Owing to a 'strange combination of circumstances great entertaining in the Kaiser's capital then,-

The velvel blouse is in, a style which is going to bo \ very, popular, with handsome revers of applique and net under blouse. 1

and until a few months ago, was done almost exclusively by tho Court itself. Of the Prussian aristocracy few keep up houses in Borlm designed for entertaining on a largo scaie; of 'great hostesses, such as those in which London, Paris, and Now York abound, Berlin i boasts ha-rdly"a mentionable dozou. All these facta combined to present to a woman of Mrs. Tower's talents, tastes, and exporienoo a uniquo opportunity, which sho was prompt 1 , to-seize and exploit on a brilliant 'scale. \ , Taking as their homo, the spacious Prinzhomi palaoo in the. Konigs Plate, directlv across fom tho Itoiclistag buildings, Mr. and Mrs. Tower, refurnished tho houso on a lavish scale, and at once advanced tho United States' Embassy to the front rank of Borhn diplomatic!' establishments. Earlv during their first winter, in, the Konigs xlats, tbo Aaisor ; honoured Mr. and Mrs Tower with his company at dinuor—tho first tinio America s. representative in Germany had ovor been so distinguished. His Majesty announced his intention of "resetting foot oil American, soil"r each succeeding season a promise ho has been delighted to keep.

In addition to these sumptuous "Kaiser dinners," to which there has always'been invited a company of his\partieular friends and advisers, including an\ invariable sprinkling of "captains of industry," Mrs. Tower has given each season a .ball for the Court and diplomatic Bet. Last year's function was a fancy dress party, at which the young element, hoadea by the Crown Prince and Princess and tboir jovial juvenile friends, had such an unrestrainedly good time that they urged their hostessl to provide them with another evening of the same sort this winter. This year's flower ball at the American Embassy was Mrs. Tomer's gratification of their Imperial Highnesses' wish. It was ono of the most charming and beautiful' affairs in Berlin's society history.. Over 250 guests were present, and the ladies wero gowned to represent flowers. 1 Tho (Crown Princess was radiant in pink, 'her-'favourite colour, as a roso. i . Her busy social 'career has not prevented Mrs. Tower from devotion, to'a rich arid full domestic life. She attends personally to tho education and training of fivo children —three sons at university in America and two yonngor daughters under their mother's eye in Berlin. The Kaiser is particularly fond of the little Misses Tower, and on one visit to the Embassy personally presented them with'a basketful of v'aluablo dachshund puppies. ' Mr. and Mrs. Towor's decision to retire from diplomatic life is duo to a desire to livo in the United States, whero thoy may presido permanently over a home for thoir ohildron and oni»ble tho latter to grow, up in their own country..