The New York herald., 1871-01-21
WASHING CTON.
TIE PRESIDENTS FIRST RECEPTION
I 'Gmgeom Display Of Eplomatisis and Other
distinguished People.
Bntler, of Tennessee, to be Tried
for Forgery.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1871.
TAs Pre- sidcus's First Reception ar the White
House this Seasou.
ihe resident held his first levee OF the season
tais eve ming, between the hours OF eight and ten
The ar ticpations OF the beau monde were fully
aized as theafiair was one OF extreme briIliancy.
shor ly alter the doors OF the Mansion thrown
oper scores of gorgeously appointed equipages,
we nery, proud-stepping bays bearing their re,gnt
or diamond-decEed, snken-robed representatives Of
w alth ana fashion, dashed up the broad sweep
~ & carriage drive. and In their wake followed
Ie plain substantial carriages containing that old
Y Established element OF Washington society, which
is wen known and universally respected. These
were nanked on one side by eager crowd OF sight,
seeF who poured in
ONE UNBRoKKN STREAM
up the footpaths leading the Executive Igansion
There was, indeed, motley throng. Portly danes,
IN weli-preserved silks, trudged YEARLY along,
spreading their protecting wings over O
brood of marrageable daughters, who were
carefully gotten up In white muslin, arti1cials
and French gilt. Tight-booted white-neckted
youths escorted doll-faced would-be bellies, who
soiled bravely on, bearing on one arm a large
bundie, which, when unfastened, presented
puffed, ruined and ruched mass OF tarletan muslin
or SIX, which, having passed through a smoothing
and Jerking process, assumed the form OF train Of
uany, having squeezed through the entrance to the
Nansion was for time separated-the male portion
fling in one direction and the female In another
the object OF which TO deposit their wrappinrs
IN the numbered pigeon-holes Of their respective
dressing rooms for all the annoyances at the Pre-.
eidenrs receptions in years past the worst has beea
THE WANT OF ROOM.
I The first floor OF the Executive Mansion
was not designed for the crowds that in
variaoly press within the limited rooms on
Mansion determined that he would inaugurate
anew system OF disposlng OF the visitors, and &C.
portion OF the second should be devoted TO the
ceplion evening. So tonight no apartment save
those SET apart for the Presidents family and
sacred for the use Of the sovereign people.
ladies' retiring room, the pantry and the the
billiard room were assigned for the gentlemen's
west end OF the mansion, adjoining the Red Room,
>gss set apart for the ladies' retiring room.
THE MARINE BAND
Room and yestbule while the office OF General
Porter, on IN the second moor. was given up to the
many facilities were afforded the throng not hereto.
fore enjoyed The East Room not too crowded and
all times accessible. The ushers were numerous
and attentive. and the police ample and cour-
THE LADIES' DRESSING ROOM
Presen.ea s. scene almost SURPRISING description.
and thither, and the confusion of tongues
suggested the conglomeration OF languages
and the eeaselsss cat.er ss the Tower Of
and bouquets were mislald trains trampled on,
gloves were split from wrist to finger ends and ele
Eantly attred ladies endeavored to look over the
heads or squeeze into places Of other elegantly
dressed females standing In various attitudes before
THE GENTLEMRN,s COAT ROOM
the scene was one OF confusion worse confounded.
The crowd Of visitors was great that it was with
the greatest difficulty that the gentlemen could get
tnef coats and hats deposited. The ladies' dressing
that each lady left the dressing room She was
met IN the intervening hall by escort, and then
HAND SHAKE WITH THE PRESIDENT
This was by no means an easy feat to accomplish.
One could only move on an inch at a time amid the
mass OF gltterlng uniforms costly laces, simmer
Ing silks and fasning jewels. BY dint OF persever
ance each at last reached the Blue Room,
IN full suit OF black. with white neck
ae ana gloves stood calmly surveying the
introduction, and the President gave to each OF the
countless numbers Of hands that were offered him
giving place 70 pleasant smile as he clasped the
extended hand of friend. The visitors then paid
their respects 10
VINO stood slightly IN the rear and on the right Of
the President, surrounded by Mrs. Creamer, the
PRESIDENTS sister. Mrs. Campbell, OF St Louis Mrs.
Parsons, OF Detroit, Mrs. Creswell Mrs. General
Babcock, Mrs, Rogers, daughter of Mrs. Secretary
Fish, and Mrs. General Dent, who were assisting
her In receiving. General Micher performed
Ihe ceremony. OF introduction TO the Presi.
elegant manner Mrs. Grant was magnifcently at
tired in crimson velvet en- tdf low corsage, short
sash OF velvet and point lace couture OF chatelane
praids, and one long curl ornamented with spray
monds, heavy chain and bracelets.
MRS. CREAMER
was beautifully dressed in shell pink gros grain,
Win W1lte muslin and lace tunic, low corsaRe and
lace bertha, pink flowers IN hair and gold ornaments
Mrs. Campbell presented magnificent appear
IN IN gIlH fTn1
low corsaQe, over which rich point lace
shawl was artisncaly draped with ornaments or
with a white japonica. Mrs. Parsons wore a sea
green gros grain demi-raln; overskirt trimmed with
pearl necklace saings and MIN hair ~ nnr
curls and dressed with white Mowers.
appeared In pearl-colored gros grain, with cherry
trimmings low corsage, point lace bertha, jewels OF
diamonds and pearls In cha'elain bralds orna-
mented with red japonlca. MRS. Creswell looked
very handsome in black gros grain, richly
trimmed with green velvet low corsage,
short sleeves, gold necklace Pompa
doar and powdered, Jewels Of diamonds.
Miss Rogers wore blue and white striped SILK low
corsage, necklace OF large gold beads with gold
cross suspended from IT, couture OF curls and pus
dressed dress with blue ribbon and pink sleeves. Mrs.
hg g pon eno IN oS cneTy ss
Conspicuous amcng magnificent toilets was that OF
MRS. coLFAx,
who Syore black velvet dress with corn colored
MORE antique tram, trimmed with black thread
lace corncolored vest and jacket OF black velvet,
gold and Diamond Jewelry.
MRS. SENATOR AaEs
was universally admired In white satined train
Mgn cofsage aud flowing sleeves, trimmed with
marabout feathers. large white iaponica was
nestled among mass Of airy curs and pearl orna
.1nents. The magnificent.
4 MADAME cATACAZY
wac royalty robed IN black yelyeteen train low
,corsaee, waite point lace trimmings elegant pearl
nnecS ace aud diamond earrings and pin A black
Lace veil was arranged over her hair after the fash
ton OF Spanish wcmen, ana caught back at one side
By large TED rose wlta foliage.
MISS NELLIE GRANT
look ed bewitca ing IN PINK satin, IFith white mus
lin a nd Naenciennes lace oyerdresg, Roman sasD.
pearl necklace: her hair in curls over which
streal ner6 OF blue fibbCo foated. Mrs. General
Farnss gorsh wore handsome toilet CEN
white point lace. Hiss Belle smith, me
ARTIST looked as lovely rs OF her painted ideals
IN a white silk en- tram nigh corsage and overskrt
trimmed with fringed suchingE OF the same while
mass OF natural curls was carelessy caught back