The New York herald., 1871-02-13
Brilliant Reception at Secretary
and Mrs. Fish's.
9hs Diplomatic Corps, the President, the Cabi.
net, The Army, the Navy, the Judiciary,
tAc Legislature and the Llterati
In Attendance.
ELEGANT TOILETS OF TEN LADIES.

TON fashionables TO be wild with excitement eager
with anticipation regarding anything connected
with the gay life in which they whhl. But they are
always well pleased when Secretary and Mrs Fish
throw open their elegant drawing rooms for card
reception, as they did last night Few, II any. are
more agreeable than those given by the Secretary OF
state and his accomplished wife, and they also have
the reputation of being unusually select. Judging
from tne immense throng who surged through the
rooms there must be grand army OF aristocrats IN
che national capital or course the foreign Minis
sers and the potenlstes OF the land were out In fun
force. The army and navy were quite well repre-
scented. Generals, captains commanders, judges
and many OF the l9erdu with which Washington Is
hooded embraced the opportunity Of paying their
respects to Secretary and Mrs. Fish. Men
who by The royal right Of character and
brains enrled TO their seats In Congress passed
IN and out quietly that one would never have sup
posed them to be honorable bodies, while other
Senators and Representatives moved about in all
their assumed elegance and manifest pompesity.
The wives Of these august personages were gorge
ous IN purple. line linen and diamonds. Tie magni-
neent toilets OF many
CoNeREssMEN's WIVES
ore auoriceable feature OF Washington society. You
are not surprised at seeing the millionaire Chan
aler's wiie heavily ire,ghted with grandeur, but It
does MAKE one open ones eyes little wider when
Congressmen's wives who 6 few years ago wore In
expensive dresses, and were thankful for them,
come sweeping along In velvets satns and laees OF
the richest texture and blazing in diamonds OF the
Purest water.
YHB GAyEsT, BRIGHTEST ELEMENTS OF WASHINGTON
SOCIETY
were represe nted last night. Young bellies en-
veloped in perfect clouds OF Illusion, taretan ana
lace, would have nuttered about II there had been
room for them to uter; as IL was they had to con-
tent themselves with beaming upon their escorts
for the limited space they could occupy would not
permit them to hold Q little court circle OF their
own. as 1t is the delight OF every bellies heart to do
Old, rouged, base women Of the world shrugged
their scrawny shoulders and cast annihllating
glances upon the lords Of creation who were ap-
propraung their magnificent trains for steplad
ders Many styles of costume were seen. Some
were in full evening dresss and others with scanty
shoulder coverings. Bail dresses brushed against
dark colored silks, and every variety OF jewels
asned their rainbow hues In the glare OF the bril-
Maptiy lighted rooms.
MRS. SECRETARY FISH.
Much has been said in reference to Mrs. Fish's
attractive regal appearance, her finished, peauti-
1ul manner and her rare mental graces The term
queenly has often been applied TO her, and word
In our language is more applicable to her. Mrs
Fish is queenly, after the manner OF some royal
women VINO bend beneath the burden of crown,
but % according n to the the popular Idea Idea & Of what at.
no fortunate as to meet Mrs. Fish may have formed
an opinion from the comments OF the press that she
Is statuesque woman who encases herself in
coating Of Ice which the smiles aud adulaion of no
ordinary mortal can melt and that she glances
pityngly down upon the untitled herd OF humanity.
This is far from being the case The expression OF
her face Is gentle womanly, and IT must once have
tator or woman's beauty, has dealt lightly with Mrs.
Fish. and none OF the absurd articles to which
many fashionable women resort are made use OF to
conceal the impress it has left; but for the OF
svery curls which cluster around her face she would
although they greatly enhance its charm and form
more beautiful crown than the rarest gems would
each one is strongly marked with with Character.
and her eyes reflect the sunshine Of benevo-
sps sas sd e one the Cordial
cause OF its dignded elegance. She and Mrs. Gene.
raj Fremont are among the few representatives IN
Washington OF the court circles Of the republic In
byg0ne days.
MRS. RODGERS,
Mrs Fsh's daughter, who was present last night.
ing the greater part OF the season, possesses the
mothers face. she has the same rich, mellow voice
and gentle smile, ana II the rumored change In the
Washington society VIII lose one OF Its brightest
ornaments; but IL will still have her prototype II
Mrs. Rodgers comes among a resident.
Mrs. FISH was very elegantly attired in o stone.
colored SILK. with deep n0unce ol black thread
this an oyersKirt OF the same lace was draped and
thread bertha covered the low corsage;
encrced her neck, and the same jewels sparkied on
her arms; coiffure Of ruby velvet, long sprays Of
i blooms and sc pea Leaves adaed
A seagreen Silk with soft traceries OF white lace
over IT. contrased beautilnily with the faint rose
long spray OF tea roses was wound among her glis.
tenng, golden bralds, and handsome necklace Of
briiliants flashed on her throat
ARRIVAL OF SENATOR MORTON.
Almost the first person upon whom your eye
rested on entering the room was the massive form
OF Senator Morton, who was seated on comforta-
be lounge apparently watching with interest the
faCh In fhnvf fIn11 1hrnn tha
and the genial welcome that Secretary Fish ex-
tended TO them. Senator Morton's presence at
receptions recently has added quite a novel feature
to their interest The Senator's seat seemed to be
centre OF attraction, and numbers OF not only keen
ciety, and the magnificent looking women who are
ats relgnlng queens. paused to exchange frien lily
word with one OF Americas greatest statesmen
ARRIVAL OF THE PRES iDEST.
Al twenty minutes past ten O'Clock the familiar,
eve, welcome race oil President Grant appeared In
the doorway. OF course he was at once surrounded
py an eager circle Of acquaintances and the usual
hands, M shaking KING form had 10 be gone through with.
Inc President was accompanied BY Miss Felt, of
Salena, Illinois, who Is guest ct the White House.
she Is pleasant-iaced, stylish looking young lady,
and was exquislteiy dressed in sky blue silk
trimmed With White point lace and finished with
handsome pink csral ornaments
THE TOILETS OF THE LADIFs
sister OF Mrs Vice President Coiax. Mites Wade is
rs stately in appearance as her sister, bur she has
The same gentle winning manner. She wore blue
and White silk, with gold ornaments
Mrs. Cisco, OF New York. was much admired in a
blue satin, heavily trimmed with white duchesse
lace diamonds ana blue feathers in her hair.
Mrs. BX-Governsr Morgan was attred as superbly
usual III black velvet, with deep black duchesse
hounce on the bottom OF skirt, over fold OF white
Six; black lace shawl was draped around her
shoulders and diamonds and pearls with coifure
of white lace, pink feathers and flowers completed
her toilet.
Mrs. Postmaster General CresweIrs nearI.colored
silk With white tue trimmings and pearl orna-
ments, although not quite as becoming as some
brighter color would have BEEN did not 0etract from
the attTactiveness OF her face.
Mrs General Fremont presented qnite a regal
appearance III q lavender SILK, with black velvet
trimmings ana white thread lace bertha, clasped
with valuable antique jewes.
Mrs Or. BAILEY. OF Philadelphia, wore q ruby CO.
1ored satin With black lace over5krt, and diamonds
Miss White, OF New York, wore an elegant dress
OF pearl-ce0red gros grain, with deep black ducbesse
no1nces and diamonds.
Mrs. Dennis, OF New York, wore green MORE
antique, with white point trimmings, apd stone
cameo ornaments Miss Dennis appeared In sal
.cnInrad allk. lIQcaded With White ana trimmed