Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-01
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

NEW YEARS Day HERE.-Nearly half the
stores and other private business places In
Washington are closed to-day, the custom OF
keeping the first of January as holiday haV-
ing become very general in the Federal ne
tropolis In the Executive Departments no
business is done to-day, as all in pubhc en-
ployment here on salaries devote 1t 10 making
congratulatory calls upon the fresiden'' anu
other principal government iunc lonaries, tneir
own and their personal friends. Ataneariy hour
this morning, it being evident that the late over
fluid weather was passing away, Pennsylvania
avenue exhibited signs that We were to have
the usual gsyetes of the occasion in all quar-.
tiers of the city. At noon, thousands on thou
sands were out on foot, and In vehicles, pro.
ceedinS from one hOspitable mansion to another,
wherein all were welcome, and in many of
which an abundance of good cheer was duly
spread for all.
At ii a. m. the usual diplomatic New Year S
Day reception took place, and was attended by
every gentleman now in Washington connected
with either foreign legation; who made bril-
liant picture indeed. in full official dress, as
they we're, and attended by the ladies of their
respective families.
At half-past eleven, the officers of the Navy
and Army, in full dress uniform, (the latter
wearing the hat recently introduced into the
service,) followed in paying their compliments
to the Chief Magistrate. They presented a
very fine appearance, indeed, and as they lin
| gered about the room contributed greatly to
| the liveliness of the scene.
AT noon, precisely, the great gates of the
Executive grounds were thrown open, and a
dense mass of the sovereigns. of all pursuit:
and degrees, marched up to the portals of the
White House to pay their respects to Presidcr
Buchanan. These matters were managed, q:
usual, under the direction of the efficient and
popular Marshal OF the District of Columb ia
than whom no other ever conducted the trying
ceremonies of the occasion with more true
| dignity and grace, or more to the comfort o.
| the President and the FIVE or six thousand per
sons, of both sexes and all ages, who paid theil
respects to the occupant of the Executive Man
sion to-day.
After the company had been presented &c
the President by Marshal Selden, many Of
them were also presented by James Buchanan
Henry, Esq, to Miss Harriet Lane, the Presi
| NShN oNNOhlplieASu HlcCo anu tue nos eSS ~
the White House, and many were the compile
ments bestowed upon this lady subsequently
by those whose admiration was excited by hel
graceful and agreeable manner.
The police arrangements of Marshal Selden
were very admirable. Though seen every
where their presence might, by any possible
chance, be necessary, they were in the way o.
no one, while their polite and quiet attentions
materially facilitated the movements Of all
The Marine Band, in full uniform, also addeG
not little to the enjoyment of the occasion a
the Mansion. Nearly every stranger in Wash
ington, as we'll as thousands on thousands o.
| our own fellow-citizens were there; rs were
also all the Army and Navy officers OF the
| United States lin full uniformly who are now
here. The good humor and gayety of all added
materially to the briliiancy and excitement Of
| the scene.
| AT p. m. the Reception closed, and the
mansion IN few moments afterwards became
as quiet as usual. From the Executive man.
sion the throng dispersed for other calls, and
| crowded the residences of the members of the
Cab net, various citizens, and distinguished
strangers, perhaps a hundred Of whom kept
| open house during the forenoon.