Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-18

families whose kindly doors are often open
gsyety has but just found its inaugural III
The reception given at the White House
Yesterday afternoon, which was manifest
, fv intended to replace the New Years day
hospitality, this year set aside by the Pre-,
sident. The coming and going continued
through three hours; and crowds Of people
wended their way to the Executive roof
tree, including many of the Diplomatic
Corps, Cabinet officers, Senators, members
of the House of Representatives, Army
and Navy officers, and other distinguished
personages Individually the guests were
introduced by Gen. Michler to Mrs. Grant
and her lady assistants, who stood in line
to receive, Mrs. Grant was attired in O
dove-colored silk, brocaded with bright
flowers, profusely trimmed with valenci-
ennes lace at the neck; hair dressed crepe
and ornaments of diamonds. Mrs. Sec
retary Fish, who is very distingue lady,
wore a, dress of MORE antique, with
| trimmings of time-colored vel
| vet; ornaments of diamonds and
pearls. Mrs. Judge Dents dress was
| of peach -colored silk, with TRIM
ings of black lace and ornaments of coral.
| Mrs. Gen. Porter wore blue silk, en- trdiae,
pdnier, trimmings of white lace, and hair
dressed with cherry satin. Mrs. Edward
o. Cole, of New York, was attired in pink
satin made very long, low corsage, short
sleeves with overskirt and berthe of valen
ciennes lace lOoped with natural flowers
hair dressed with flowers and ornaments
of plain gold. The blue room was used as
the room of reception and tasteful ~ decor
ated with fresh flowers from the conserva-
tories. After being presented to the hostess
and her friends, the throng dispersed
through the State apartments for promen-
aiding, and the long, red drawing room,
which it is said the former ladies of the
White House used as drying room, with
gorgeous crimson hangings and mirrors
rejecting the elegant toilets, presented
splendid scene.
Among the visitors who graced the oc-
casion were Gen. and Mrs. Marcy, JUS
tice and Mrs. Clifford. Mrs. Williams. wife
of the Senator from Oregon, Mrs. B. F.
Butler and her beautiful daughter, Mrs.
Ames, recently married to the Senator
from Mississi pi, Mrs. Gen. Hunter, Gen.
Duvall, of Virginia Mrs. Blaine, wife of
the Speaker of the House, Senator and
Mrs. Pomeroy, Major J. r. McGuinness.
At the close of the Cabinet session, the
President made his appearance, and assist
ed i'll doing the honOrs,a position which he
10 doubt would gladly have exchanged
for quiet smoke in the apartments above.
Mrs. Grant having taken the initiatory in
promoting the sociability of the season,
this afternoon followed @ reception by
Mrs. CoifaX. The Vice-President occupies
the house formerly that of Hon. Daniel Z.
Sickles, situated on the left of Lafayette
Square, and just off the Avenue. BY no
means pretentious in appearance, the
rooms are spaciously arranged, opening
one from another, thus giving the effect of
large salon. Mrs Colfax is q charming
hostess, and has the reputation of giving
the most delightful reunions in Washing
ton. To-day, dressed in heavy black silk
with overdress of tuVe, and bordering of
thread lace, with the absence of all color,
relieved about the threat and wrists by
white ruching, she received entirely alone,
and with great cordiality and self-posses-
sion welcomed all who came. Mrs. Colfax
shares the popularity of her husband. and
the social visit to-day was like that made
to friend. Immediately on entering,
salver was extended by the faithful old
coored servant for cards, and after the US
ual greetings, chocolate and cakes were |
offered without ceremony. The voice of
little child ia neighboring room told of a |
household god, and Schuylar Colfax, Jr.,
in the arms of his nurse, received visits, |
not few. The wife of Speaker Blaine also |
opened her drawing-roOms for public re-
ception to-day, and with courtly dignity /
extended a pleasant greeting to ali who |
availed themselves of the opportunity to |
visit her.
Few persons excite more interest at pre- |
sent than Winnie Ream, the talented |
young sculptures, who has just returned |
from Rome, with the result Of two years
labor. l speak of the statue of President |
Lincoln, for the execution of which Con-
gress appropriated $4,000 three years
since. The model in plaster was accepted |
as satisfactory by the Secretary of the In
terror, and immediately after Miss Ream,
accompanied by her parents, left for Rome, |
for the purpose of completing the work in |
rEl,o oefa hoe ,;I
placed in the Capitol rotunda and although |
still concealed from the view of passers- by, /
has been unveiled to those appointed to
judge of its success. 1t is said to be as per-
feet as If life animated every feature, and |
the figure, partially shrouded in cloak, is |
a truthful representation of attitude. The |
artist is beautiful and accomplished, and |
has scarcely reached the age of twenty
three. She is a native of Wisconsin, and /
came here with her parents at the COM
mencement of the war. For a time, she |
was employed in the Postoffice Depart
ment; but her love of art gaining the as
cendancy over more practical labor, she |
gave herself up to the work she yearned |
for. and the ability displayed in her ideal
embodments of the Indian Girl, Water
Nylnph. and the Dying Standard Bearer.
resulted in the order passed by Congress.
She has thus been thrown into the society
of world-renowned artists, and by her |
lovable, womanly manners, and cultivated |
tastes, has won friends and laurels, not
only from the profession she has chosen,
but among the officials of Italy and other
countries. The many Western friends of
Miss Ream have watched with interest /
the progress of her career, and although a
little bird whispers. 'she, too, will soon
yield to flowery fetters,' let us hope the /
artists chisel will not be entirely laid I
aside.
The furious excitement regarding the
San Domingo question in the Senate has
put every one on the qai vive for its revi-
val, and, from intimations yesterday, it |
seemed probable to-day the final resolu-
tions would be taken. At the hour of con-
vening the galleries of the Senate began to
be peopled with men, women and children
in quest of entertainment, and not to have
too much the air of idle enjoyment, many
ladies brought with them books and /