The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-16

ChhIInlng blending Oi dignity ana simplicity.
Owing partly TO its being the last night OF
Speaker Coliax's receptions, large proportion
OF the guests called there early IN the evening,
and were late in arriving at De Montholons.
BY haltpGstten the current was turned in the
later direction, however, and leTge eoncourse
of people began to assemble. The military and
naval departments and bureaus were we'll repro
sented, and the foreign diplomatic bodies we're,
with few exceptions, present. A comparatively
small number OF Senators and Congress- men were
in attendance: but an increased Est of civilians
eld citizens of Washington compensated for
Their absence. The ladies and gentlemen we're
elaborately dressed, and the toilets OF many
were unsurpassed for brilliancy.
SPEAKER CoLFAx's RECEPTIoN.
The lest of the receptions given by Speaker
Colay, at his residence on FouT-auda-hRlt street,
cRme eli this evening with perfect Jan. IL
was the common salu,ation, when SHAKING
hands with the Speaker, This Is warm recep-
tion,p the remark involving double meaning,
elluding to the motley 0utpounpg, oy way OF
etiquette, but really applying to the oppressiyely
lofty rclge Of the Thermometer. Tnis latter
brought into requisition Tree application OF the
grorckCir, infiiCtlng ser1ous damage TO numerous
displays OF alabs5ter shoulders ena caindiy
1injed cheeks Some OF the gentlemen on their
IaTt made an exposition OF the same ailcle,
which would have been much more to taelr
credit by being subjected TO little soap and
The reception, properly speaking, took place
in the double parlors, willie the basement was
set apert for posseesors of Pimble, limbs trained
TO the steps OF the dance. Over the door enter
ING The parlor, before which stood Mr. Coltax,
his mother and sister, an American nag was
huns while over the folding doors between the
two pGrlors the An ellcan ana state nag were
crossed. The press in the parlors ives tearlul,
there being but one door both for ingress and
e.fess ORce ia the room it required the most
de1terous elbowing to get out. Tho dancers
below were similarly deficient in a proper arsa
for their operations. However, they persisted
valiantly against the pressure by erowdiRS
through the ngures' and pas'icularly Waiting
upon a pivot
Among the distinguished persons present were
Mr.. and Mrs. General Banks; Commodore
Bridge accompanied by two beautiful young
ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway, Of Caliiorn a;
Generals Howard Buckland, and Brayman; Eli
Perry of Albany; Representative Aor-Ill; eX.
Governor Wood, of Illinois, and others. Among
the latter class we may mention irTepressible
ThaS Stevens. Thaddeus appeared quite tascl-
mating, and made eghimsef conspicuous by uttsr-
ing sundry boisterous inquiries Tor that ono
armed man. 1t was discovered subsequently
that be alluded to General Howard, who wears
an empty sleeve as evidence of his gallantry.
Surrounded by galaxy OF so much beauty,
and such an unfavorable opportunity of form
inc decision ii IS impossible TO risk the
apS1onncement trS 81 the name of the tolle Of the
eyepirg. The dresses OF, the ladies maGe Lne
display of the millinery art. White was the
prevailing color among the g0rgeou9iy aIcayGd
of the tender ages, while the elderly OF the
1aEblO0aDles OF (utlI hGA bslNlbNN I-ACl NCCuulha
beauty by appropriate colors. The simple
garments Of several representatives from
the rural districts formed quite e con.
trast when compared with the fash of
the highly decorated ladies of the city.
The majority of those present remained but q
few minutes, thus keeping up constant sc7am-
BILE from the coat rooms upstairs to the pa-lors
below, and cree UcrSa. The exterior OF the
building was strongly besieged by the sable
population, who thoroughly blocked out all ven
!ilation by solid mass of dangerous heads,
thick lips, Fat noseb and 4 proiuse display OF
| ivory. The Coltay receptions have been among
the leading attractions Of the winter gaye,Ies in
the, nationel capital. The advent OF warm
weather and the falling of of the various
fashionable entertainments will soon reyei.
Washington life into its usual summel languor