The New York herald., 1871-04-24
THE HIGH COMMISSION.
Earl De Grey's Farewell En-
tertainment.
-~~o~o~~~~o>>~~>o~~~~~
A Brilliant Illustration Of Old
English Hospitality.
WHO WERE THERE AND HOW THEY LOOKED
The British Commissioners Preparing for
Their Return Home.
The Work of the Commission About
Completed.


Earl dc Grey, OF the Joint High Commission, re-
sponded to long OF American hospitality
last evening by giving one OF
THE MOST BRILLIANT OF SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENTS
one that has seldom been surpassed IN Washington.
Mr.. Franklin Philips eleg.n; mansion. the head
quarters OF these British diplomatic gentlemen, was
transformed into scene OF fairy beauty. The In
terror OF the house itself Is exceedingly attractive,
having an atmosphere OF delightful home liie. which
also seemed to communicate itsef to the guests
assembled there last evening. The garden en-
closure was covered, noored and carpeted, one side
being walled by hedge OF cedars.
In the centre, in a large oval space, were
grouped lilies, geraniums dropping fucnias. roses
and English prmroses, pleasing The eye with their
beauty and filing the air with their perfume. Near
the steps leading into the parors fountain
surrounded with moss and ferns. Six pillars
wreathed In evergreens upheld the roof, and be-
tween them hung crystal candelebras holding wax
tapers whose light was reflected In thousand gilt
terlng pendants. Flags Of different nations draped
the walls, and conspicuous among them was a
Union Jack composed OF immorteiles, nanked Oh
either side by the American and British colors.
THE PORCH,
opening into the dining tOom, was arranged for the
band the decorations consisting OF portraits OF
George Washington, Queen Victoria and President
chestra performed choice repertoire OF music the
programme including ''Tho Star Spangled Banner''
ana "God Save the Queen.n In this pavilion OF de-
llclous coIors, scents and sounds,
THE TABLE
was set with every dainty that could attract the
taste. STRAWBERRIES were piled in transparent
dishes, ana ana creams as delicate as the
bloom OF the flowers were handed to the guests by
attentive walters. Here also were paced seats for
the convenience of those who wearied OF the prone
made. In
THE PARL0R
near the hall DOORS stood the host with Lady Thorn
ton, who assisted in receiving with her usual
suavity and ease She was attred III white silk
with deep hutings of satin. peplum Of blue SATIN
bordercd with white lace, white gauze scarf
thrown across her shoulders, and lace and roses in
her blonde hair, completed q finished and elaborate
toilette.
EARL DE GREY
was dressed In ordinary evening dress, with the
unique addition OF the insignia Of the Order of the
Garter, dark blue stockings and the gttcring band
at the knee. Lord De Grey wore also other inslgnia
OF rank and office. He received ms guests in Q
friendly ana familiar manner. In the parlor, also
the perfume OF flowers agroeaby perccptible
| the hearths being banked with moss In which grew
rich exotics. The same exquisite ornament
adorned mantes and tables There were prcsen
| all the members OF the Commission with most OF
THE DIPLOMATIC CoRPs,
VINO wore decorations and insignia or rank and
title. They were accompanied by the ladies OF the
legations
THE CABINET
was represented by Secretaries Boutwell, Bobeson
and Attorney General AkeTman, and the judiciary
bv Justices Bradley, Swayne Miller, Davis and Field
OF the Supreme Court Solicitor General Brstow
Assistant Attorney General Hall, or the Department
OF Justice and Chief Justice Drake aud Judge Lor-
ing. OF the Court of Claims. Among
THE SENATORS
were Mcssrs.. Carpenter, Patterson, Osborn, Thur
man, Sprague, Robertson, Sawyer, cole and Ceand-
Ter. and among the representatives Generals Banks,
Butler and Garfield, There were also present
Colonies Schriver. Audenried and Rathbone;
Generals Townsend, Ramsey, Pleasonton, Dyer and
Park; Admlrals Porter, Hon, Bailey and
Goldsborough Commodore Sands. Montgomery
Blair General Babcock, George W. Riggs Franklin
Philip, J. G. Kennedy, L. A. Gobriyht, Ben Perey
Poore Francis Lawley, Colonel Finley Anderson.
William II. Philip, Dr. Johnson, l.. O. Washington
II. A. Preston, Franklin Steele, Judge Philips,
Captain Pbipps, General Eastman and many others,
distinguished In their respective spheres life and
familiar In Washington society.
THE LADIES
accompanying these gentlemen were In full evening
Dress and most OF the toilets were very elegant and
complete. At eleven O'Clock the promenade was In.
terrupted by
SUPPER,
Earl de Grey escorting Mrs. Fish An air OF social
pleasure seemed to pcrvade the entire assemblage
The young folks gathering under the subducd sha O
Of the pavilion, while the more sedate guests kept
in the brilliant paror, where easy chairs and sofas
tempted them 10 quiet comfort. At twelve O'Clock
precisely the band played "God save the Queen"
the
SIGNAL FOR RETIRING,
and the gay crowd melted into the midnight shad-
ows, well pleased with this delightful evidence OF
English hospitality. This splendid social entertain
ment Is regarded expressive OF an approaching
satisfactory conclusion OF the work OF the Joint
High Commission, and Indicating tnat the British
portion of i. VIII soon leave this country their
home, the party being In the nature of
FAREWELL ENTERTAINMENT.
Although the points OF settlement OF The questions
In dispute between the United states aud Great
Britain agreed upon they nave not yet been re-
duced to treaty convention form, the delay being
British government to the communications sub.
mitted to 1t by the British Commissioners. They,
however, have no doubt their Official transactions
VIII be
FULLY APPROVED
IL was In this confidence, united with the sugQcs-
tions Of our own Commissioners, that President
Grant calied an extraordiary session al the Senate
for the 10Th OF May, thus allowing ample time for
the perfection or the measures to be submitted. In
the adjustment OF the isneries question the
NAVIGATION or THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE
Will be secured TO our Citizens At least this propo-
ston Is now pending, and will be de1nitvely de-