Evening star., 1870-01-01
NJ. Esterhazy, Austrian legation, AMI a host Of
distinguished citizens and strangers.
Receptions by the Cabinet Ministers.

The Secretary of State, Hon. Hamilton Fish,
was called upon by nearly representative Of
foreign countries resident i'm this city. The
corridors were the scene of a steady stream of
human beings, and although patience was Sc
verely tested as a virtue the Secretary, assisted
by Mrs. Fish, their daughter, Mrs. Benjamin,
and the Misses Hoffman. of New York, received
their visitors with such a perfect ease OF man
ner that the latter felt at home enough to
saunter around and view the many works of art
in the eapacious parlor and drawing room.
Secretary Boutwell, and Mrs. Boutwell,, assist
ed by Miss Georgia A. Boutwell,, at ~ 18th
street, had many visitors to-day, and the rccep-
fion was very pleasant. Many distinguished
citizens and officers OF the Army and NAVY;
also many foreign Ministers were present and
for a considerable time the crowd was very
great. All were, however, well entertained
General Belknap, Secretary of War, received
visitors at his lodgings I'm the Seward Mansion
on 154 street, the parlor of which was beauti-
fully decorated with evergreens. Some of the
visitors, who were uumberless, were captivated
by the Of-hand, but pleasant, style of the host.
His cordial greetings, ''How do you do.'' Why,
by George, I'm glad to see you" and ''Good bye,
God bless you, were so Enthusiastically the gen.
uine impulses OF his Western heart, that all
within the sound of his voice became at once di-
vested of that diffidence incident to such occa-
sions. The Secretary was assisted by his wife
and two daughters of Justice Swayne who also
did their share towards making their guests feel
at home.
Hon. q. D.. RObeson, Secretary Of the Navy,
was ''at hOme'' at 3iI street, and batchelor
like, he dill the honors himself, but with an en-
yiable grace. He met his visitors in the old
eli Oh c<x- N,x, In g.1r
self and thence dispense his hand shaking, but
was here and there to meet his visitors thus
sparing much of the embarrassment Incl
dent to the formality usual on such occasions.
When the chief of the Construction Bureau
hove in sight he extended his hand clear into
the hall, and drew him into the room with the
warmest congratulations. No one shook hands
with him without being invited to the back
room, where dejeuner complete was at their
mercy, and visitors could not leave without re-
ssting the entreaties Of " Don't 60, Monsieur, -
" Plenty Of time," &C., sc. Besides the prom
inent officials who called in other places, the
Navy was strongly represented.
Secretary Cox, of the Interior Department.
received large number of friends at his resi-
dence, No. 81 New Jersey avenue. Mrs Cox
and daughter, with lady friend, Of Cincinnati,
assisted in receiving the guests, and all who
called were made to feel at home. An elegant
supply Of refreshments was dispensed. Among
the callers were the heads Of the bureau Of the
Department, with many of the clerks and en-
ployes, as also a number of Ohioans.
Hon. j. A. j. Cresswell. Postmaster General.
and lady, received visitors at their residence.
corner of Nineteenth and streets, assisted BY
Miss Chandler, daughter of Senator Zach
Chandler, and Miss Mary McIntire, sister OF
Mrs. Cresswell. The refreshments were annie
and consisted of the substantials and delicacies
OF the season very invitingly prepared. Visitors
were very cordially and pleasantly received.
Mr.. HOar, Attorney General, is out of town,
and hence there was no reception at his resi-
dence.
Reception at Gen. Sherman.s.
At Gen. Shermans residence, on street. from
IL to O'Clock, there was a continuous string OF
carriages arriving with callers on the head OF
the army. The General was in excellent spirits
and himself and the ladies Of his family gave a
most cordial welcome to their host of visitors
magnifcently spread table was in the dining
room, on which were pyramids OF cake and
CONNECTIONS, and loads Of flowers; and il is need
less to say that callers were not slow in accent
ing the Generals invitation :. not tc neglect the
inner man." Nearly every officer of the Army
and Navy called during the day, and a grea,
number Of western men were among the Wis
itors.
Reception by Mayor Bowen.
At Mayor BOwen,s residence there were a
large number of callers, including officers OF
the Government, members OF Congress and
many Corporation officials. Mrs. Bowen was
assisted by several other ladies, who, with the
Mayor, had a pleasant word for all. In the
dining room table, heavily laden with sub
stantial dishes, fruits and confectionery, WA
set, and were duly enjoyed by the guests who
instead Of liquor were regaled with coffee anu
chocolate.
Receptions AZ the Hotels.
General George b. Mcclellan and lady, who
arrived at the Arlington Hotel two DAYS ago.
received only their intimate friends. The Cen
eral himself looks the same as Of yore, and
saunters around the halls and vestibules of the
hotel, dressed in a neat-fitting brown business
suit, careless Of the notice Of the habitues
thereof.
The reception Of Mrs. Senator Williams at the
National Hotel was a most pleasant one. She
was assisted by Mrs. General Miller and Mrs.
Sayber. A great number Of the friends of Mrs.
Williams called upon her, including many of
our prominent public men and nearly every
body of note from the Pacific coast She was
DIRE ssed with her usual elegance and good taste:
and extended a cordial welcome to her visitors.
She wore a green satin dress, and her hair was
very tastefully arranged and ornamented with
flowers.
At the National Hotel, Mrs. Sheriff., wife OF
Hon. Charles II. Sheriff.; Mrs. Senator Morton.
Mrs. &. 8. TAFT, wife of the Postmaster Of the
Senate, all received at one o'clock p. m, and
welcomed large number of their friends.
At the Metropolitan Hotel, Mrs. H. j. Rams
dell and Mrs. ID. g. Murphy also received their
friends.
Col. Alexander, ex-city postmaster, received
his friends at the st. James.
Mrs. Justice Miller, Mrs. T. j. Murphey, Mrs.
H. Randell, and Senator Thurman welcomed
their friends at the Metropolitan.
Mrs. Senator Carpenter received a large
number Of her friends At willards.
other Receptions.
In the absence Of Admiral Porter, Mrs. Por-
ter received her usual hospitable style at their
pleasant residence on H street. Mrs. Porter
was assisted by Miss Porter, Mrs. Capt Patter-
son, Miss Beale. of Chester, Pa, and Miss Efie
Nicholson, daughter Of the late Major Nichol-
son, Of this city. There was steady throng of
visitors here, including everybody OF note in
army and navy circles, and hosts Of dintinguished
civilians as well.
Senator Harlan was absent from the CITY. Int
his friends were very cordially received by Mrs.
Harlan. assisted by Miss Mitchell her charn,;cu