Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-01
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Years Receptions inhabitants
Of this METROPOLIS, as is the case in all South
ern cities, haze ever except Christmas" as the
great holiday of the year, following the good
old Angb-Saxon custom. But they have also
adoPted the French custom of calling upon
those IA authority, and paying their respects,
at the commencement Of a new yenr. Did
Bany Of our private citizens follow their incli-
nations, many residence would be thrown
open, that all callers ght imbibe good cheer;
but this was rendered impossible by the disor.
derry conduct of volunteer visitors last year
60 there was not, generally, anything more
than the official receptions, trimming with
pledges Of good feeling, and crowned with the
rainbow of hopeful congratulations.
The reception of the Diplomatic Corps, by
the President, at ii o'clock. attracted quite a
concourse to the portico of the White House.
They were disappointed, however, in the ap.
pearance Of the equipages in which the digni-
iaries arrived. The state iveries, which used
to excite so much admiration from the dar.
kiss, when Packenham or Bodisco drove
along, were not to be seen, and the carriages
Nere of rather al ordinary description. But
when the.inmates alignted, there was no lack
of diplomatic splendor. Cooked hats, Dor
dered with white feathers, coats stiff with rich
gold or silver embroidery, brilliant deeora-
items Of various orders of knighthood, small
swords, and the other insignia Of courtly favor
were abundant.
At II o'clock, the President accompanied
by Mrs. Pierce, entered the "blue room, d" and
the diplOmatists Immediately paid their res.
poets. There was not any formal address from
the Oldest minister present, with its res ponse, as
IN days past, but truely democratic greeting,
as the members of each legation presented
themselves. Indeed, il would seem as if the
President had carried out the idea of the
pater pctTie, who when consulted as to this
ceremonial, replied: "Mr1. Washington's
vishes coincide with my own as to simplicity
Of dress and everything which can tend to
support propriety Of character without parta-
king Of the fcllies of luxury and ostentation. !"
II was reception in every way betting the
Chief Magistrate of great Republic.
General Almonte, the Mexican Minister, wa.
the most resplendent, and Mr.. Champion, Of
England, the plainest in his dress nmong the
flenlPotentiaries. The Spanish Minister, with
his hroad-ribhcn and many stars the Sandman
Charge, Ii blue and silver, Baron Gerolt and
his suite, the e5timable Chevalier Hulseman.
the Swedish Charge, and other noted dip
lomahsts, sraced the scene. They all appeared
70 pay especial attention to Senior Marcoletta,
Who appeared as Minister from Nicaragua,
The members Of the Cabinet were present.
excepting the Attorney General, who is absent
On visit to his relatives at Nerburyport
Mas. Sydney Webster, Esq, the President
private Secretary, District Marshal Hoover
and Dr.. Blake, (the newly appointed Com.
missioner OF Public Buildings,) with bloom.
ing array Of female lovelines,, and a delera.
ton Of the officers Of the army in full uniform.
completed the party.
After pleasant interchange Of courter.ies
the diplomats withdrew, and at twelve o'sIock
the President was ready to receive the saluts.
nons OF his fellow citizens. There was an
immediate rush, and for hours a living tide Of
humanity surged through the spacions apart.
ments Entering, they were introduced BY
the courteous Marshal-paid their respects
and then passed into the East room, from
whence there was temporary outlet. An
unobtrusive police force, in citizens dress
guided the crowd, but everything passed of
with decorum, and as orderly as could b.
expected from such dense crowd. Both tn,
day and night forces were on duty.
We shall not attempt description of tn,
motley mass. Our bravest officers and tn,
generals Of the Lobby Engineer Corps
diplomatic mobiles with decorations, and
'hfraf'er' @I''d~strie without regulations
ugly leaders OF fashion in full morning dress
and pretty shop girls in neat merino-mem.
eers Of the Press namembers of Congress-
the old and the young, the good and the great
the gifted and the gay. 1t was mosaic Of
humanity-a Kaleidoscope whirl of silks and
eroadcloths, bright eyes and epaulettes, featb.