Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-14
THE EVENING STAR.


tHf DRAWING hoON RECEPTION AT THE
ESKcuTIvE MANsIoN.-The second drawing
room reception Of the ladies of the Executive
Mdnsion-Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Slower
took place last evening, and was much more
crowded than the first one. Richly dressed
ladies, Foreign Ministers and their attaches,
Senators and Representatives, army and navy
officers, with n large number OF distinguished
citizens and Off ficials thronged the parlors and
East Room from eight until half-past ten
O'Clock. II would he useless for us to attempt
a description OF the various styles of dress
worn 10y the ladies; suffice it to say that finer
display of costly and elaborate toilettes has
seldom been witnessed in the National MetrOp-
obs. Gored and fun trained skirts were the
prevailing styles, while Fanchon waists and
Fompadoay fronts, with the military style of
trimming. were very much in vogue. Sashes
have become almost indispensable to a COM
plste toilette, and are generally made of rich
silk or satin bound with the same material Of a
different shade. Square neck dresses are fast
growing into favor, and are generally finished
with piping of lace, silk or satin. Chignons
are still the order OF the day, but not worn
20 high on the head as last season. The hair is
frequently braided and put around them, and
single rose or japonica on the right side is a
very pretty ornament
Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Stover-are well
fitted TO preside over these evening parties a,
the Executive Mansion, and the cordial man
ner in which they receive visitors has won for
them the admiration of all who attend the re.
cepriOns.
The President appeared in the blue parlor
last evening shortly after eight O'Clock and the
guests were presented to him by Marshal
Gooding. He seemed to be in excellent spirits,
and passed much time In social conversation
with visitors. Col. Robert johnson, Private
Secretary of the President, was also present,
having Just returned from his recent visit 10
Philadelphia. The visitors were presented to
Che ladies by General Michler, who performed
his duties with his usual ease and dignity
Among those present were Secretary Seward.
+. W. Seward and Miss Wharton, sister of
Mrs. +. W Seward; Secretary McCulloch and
lady. General Grant and lady, Attorney Gen
eral Stanberry and lady, Assistant Secretary
Faxon, Baron Gerolt, the Prussian Minister
Baron Wetterstedt, the Swedish Minister; Sc
nor Sarmiento, Minister from the Argentine
Republic; NJ. DE Billie, the new Danish Minis
ter; A Mazel, Minister from the Netherlands:
the Chevalier Cerruti, Italian Minister; Senior
Garcia Garcia Peruvian Minister; with the
secretaries and attaches of several of the Iega-
Court: General Dent and lady Senator Patrer-
son; Representatives Ross of Illinois. Barnes.
Hooper of Utah. Hotchkiss. Robinson of New
York; Generals Emory Badeau, Miller, Eaton.
Vincent, Harney: Commodore Jenkins; Paw
master Cunningham; Professor Henry; :. s
Cox, ex Governor Of Florida; Gov Sharkey
of Mississippi. and many other diStinguishe
persons.
Mrs. Patterson appeared i'm white corded
silk with black stripes. empress train with full
bodice and sleeves. trimmed with white silk
fringe describing a berthe upon the waist: sash
OF the same material as the dress, festooned
behind; her hair dressed with single curl
from behind the left ear, and ornamented with
- white japonica on the right Of chiynon: white
gloves and fan.
Mrs. Stover wore a rich Lyons silk black
velvet cut with low neck and short sleeves
pufied illusion underwaist, the neck trimmed
with point applique lace, trained and gored skirt
with five folds OF black satin passing straight
around the bottom. Her hair was dressed sim.
liar 10 Mrs. Patterson's, and adorned with a
white laponica.
The President was dressed in = plain suit of
black. frock coat and dark gloves.
Mrs. Secretary McCuIloch was dressed in a
green moire antique. with crystal epanlettes,
fectly plain.
Mrs. Senator Dixon Wore n purple silk
trimmed with folds of satin of the same hue. a
b>rthe Described the waist, black lace shawl
and hair curled.
Miss Dixon, daughter of the Senator, wore a
white chintz silk with pink satin trimmings a
Sash Of pink satin fastened behind, with pink
rose hair crimped and dressed with a narrow
band ofpink ribbon Her sister was dressed in
a W hite and blue silk with cluney lace cane
trimmed with blue silk, coat and Touring
sleeves lined with white silk and quilting of
white satin, finished with blue tassels, hair
erimped and dressed with blue ribbon, gold
neck chain and white gloves.
Miss Wharton, sister of Mrs. r. W. Seward.
wore a white tarleton with low neck and short
sleeves, the front tucked to the waist
and rufie passing around the bot
tom of skirt fcku of sane material as dress
edged with rufies hair dressed with pink rib
non.
Mrs. Secretary welles was dressed in a heavy
Lyons black silk velvet with bugle trimming
poia applique lace coifiure fastened al the side
Of the head with gold and pearl pins, brooch
and ear drops Of plain gold with lavender color
gloves.
Mr.. Barnes. of New York, wore IA blue silk,
with folds of blue satin and sash of
the same material, white lace shawl, hair
crimped and dressed with red flowers: string of
pearls about the neck.
Miss Smythe, daughter of Collector Smy,he
of New York, wore a rose pink silk, with
white lace overdress, full train, and sash Of
pink silk, finished with white lace and fastened
in butterfly loops behind: gold chain and locket
about the neck.
Her sister wore white lace, O yer pale pink
silk. with sash of same material as dress, and
hair dressed with narrow pink ribbon.
Mrs. General Grant was dressed in green
gros grain silk. trained and gored, with epau-
let,es Of hite lace, and black lace shawl, white
lace collar. and hair dressed with white chry.
The Marine Band, under Professor Scala,
was in attendance. and during the evening per-
formed the following pieces of music: Hail
Columbia; Marrochino, Aria; lone, Cavatina:
Maria di Rohan; Poet and Peasant; O,erture:
Lilly of Killarney; Pot Pouri; Prince Alfred
Waltz closing with medley Of national airs
THR RECEPTION of the Postmaster General
and Mrs. Randall last evening was one of the
pleasantest events of the season, combining
il did to a rare extent distinguished company.