The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
THE WHITE HOUSE.
New Event-A Children's Party-Calm and
Happy Days mt Last-YOuth and Age in Fes-
tive NIinaling-An Innocent Phase Of WASH
ingtOn Society.

I
tive Mingling-An Innocent Phase of WASH
ingtOn Society.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1868.
In the half century or 80 OF the existence Of the
White House there have been many very brilliant
gatherings OF beauty, worth and intellect at parties
and receptions, at State dinners and on casual oc-
casons OF public rejoicing. The wise and the witty,
the grave and the lively, the anonymous and the
fashionable, have come together many time
under the hospitabe shelter of the Executive
Mansion, have promenaded hours in the ample
space Of the airy blue room have heard the marine
band play its choicest norceau OF melody and have
talked thousand things beneath the gilded chande
liers the damask lounges of blue in this room
and of red in that. stately dignity might not be
the exact characteristic OF all these festive gather
ings OF the past but yet the aim was always in that
direction. Gravity and decorum were presumed to
be the prevailing features Of Executive entertain
ments, but this very presumption too often
led the unsophsticated into such udicrous ideas
of etiquette that there wanting ething
at which to laugh and make merry. People Of very
numerous cimatess attend White House receptions.
| The stranger, come from wheresoever he may, il
| bound to procure invitation 1t forms era in
his existence and unless he Is decidedly unassumng
or unambitions he hardly quit Washington with.
out enjoying the reflection that he has rod the car
pets of our republican palace admired himself in
the gilded mirrors looked everybody In the face and
shaken hands with the President. For fifty years
was saying this kind Of thing has been
going on. With the advent OF each New
Executive servant Of ali his sovereign
masters. The world and his wife went and made as
free with the White House as with the waiting room
Of ferry slip. Through the subsequent months OF
winter the evening receptions were interspersed.
which were seldom more than walk round the east
room and the indulgence OF the sentiment OF mutual
admiration. Then there were State dinners for the
heavy guns in public and political life: but as gem
era thing there was little liveiness and less fun
than dull frivolity
Andrew Johnson, be his faults what they may.
and, by comparison they don't seem very heinous,
must be given the credit OF having introduced into
the social existence OF the White House feature
hitherto unknown but none the less delightful
It's very novelty. The children's party last evening
at the Executive mansion was, without exception,
one Of the happlest events that has ever taken
place within Its limits. The grandchildren OF Pres
dent Johnson-an interesting group OF far-halred
little girls and bright eyed boys-inyited over 800
OF Their own juvenile class to party, In which was
embraced reception dance, supper and general
merrlment. The invitations were sent out several
weeks previously and included the children Of the
high and the lowy, the only precaution IL was
thought prudent to adopt being the prevention of
700 many from attending II was happy thought
this chdren's party, at this particular season of the
year, in these peculiar times when so little senti
ment IL left and so little charity IN shown In public
NE. Every invitation was gladly accepted, with but
one SOLITARY exception, which IL would he inhar-
monious TO recall. The children came In troops,
and with their merry laughter raised foreign echo
III,
but 10 was very delightful 10 see these
little ones in such place, decked in
where we have been 80 long accustomed 10 find
none but the adult creation In solemn promenade
sbo ey came hn ana s saw ana Were overoyed They
kindly questions, looked awkward for moment
ana tlen ran away gayly, with innocent laugh and
The East Room where the dancing took place
was very brilliant from the glare OF gas
into very bold relief and, together with the the
many mirrors and marble masterpieces presented
an exceedingly bright and luxurious picture to the
few large baskets Of natural flowers at either end
OF the music stand, a few small nags and q festoon |
menced arriving at SIX O'Clock and con. |
tlnued pouring in until nearly eight. They
and after alighting were escorted to a reception
room where, after leaving coaks, &C. they issued
on me broad corridor In the middle OF the man
living bouquets OF flowers so petite they seemed in
appearance and pretty In contrast. Grown folks
came also, some to see how their offspring would
acquit themselves and others 10 witness
the latest novelty Of the season. Indeed, there
were people beyond the term OF minority who came
b trip the light fantastic toe forgetting with the
happy obliviousness Of elderly maiden or bachelor
nood that they had passed the meridian OF youth.
VI this class, however, there were but very few.
The anxiety TO procure invitations TO this party
afforded topic Of much amusement to those In the
written request TO he supplied with an invitation
or his boy on the score that he was youth OF such
anu eAceHeut parts tldt ne would
end ustre to any festive assemblagc. Others wrote
IN the score OF personal acquaintance derived from
New Years Introduction. The secretaries OF the
Executive once were besieged from morning
Ill night by ladies Of very winning WAYS. and
he coveted cardboard besought with as much
olictude as though IL were the sesame To the
,ardcns OF Paradise. The ladies were well
lware that the display would be something
more than ordinary ana the fondness Or the female
'eart, especially the maternal heart for admirinq
veil dressed children in grand exhibition of 800 or
90, in large, bright paatial apartment, with
music thrown in gave rise to The irresistible desire
o be numbered among the favored ones TO whom
invitations were extended. Had every one who
Wished 10 be present been gratlhed in !
le innocent desire the limits OF the |
vhic House would have been much too con |
ned 10 accommodate one-half. As n was there was |
ardly room enough for the tiny walters TO whirI
RELY around the circuniscrbed space OF the Fast !
Jws;--
"Ihe children Of the Presidents family request
faster -- ana Aiss Us company On Iucsday ,
yenl9g the 21th INST, at SIX 7. u. Dancing Il. s
These mystic letters ~ the END nnzzled Few and
q CONSEQUENCE several Invitations ware loo imam. ,