Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-01
EVENING STAR.
NEW YEARS, 1872.
RECEPTION TODAY
General Holiday In Washington.

A General Holiday In Washington.
The first day o. the New Year did not bring
with it the bright aud bracing weather which
callers hoped for. The dEizzliny rain, which al
day yesterday wept the depar. lure of the old
year, did rot cease with the birth of the new
but when morning dawned it seemed TO have
gathered fresh strength ,or the advent of 1872.
The temperature was mild, however, and the
receptions went bravely on. Our citizens had
made up their minds to keep up the custom OF
New Years calls, and did not allow the we lther
to interfere with the anticipated pleasure
"Carriay e people" made out to get around in
tolerable comfort, but pedestrians had rough
time OF it. The White House was OF course the
great center OF attraction. The usual annual
reception was omitted there last year, it will be
remembered. on account oc the de lth of Mrs.
Secretary Belknap. This fac increased the
interest in the reception to-day. Our reporters
describe below the scenes at the Presidents
House and at the residences OF Cabinet Minis
tiers and other distinguished persons. As lists of
citizens who received were published in The
STAR and other papers in advance, we do not
deem it necessary to republish them.
The Presidents Reception
The White House reception to-day may fairly
be classed among the most brilliant that ever
signed position in the vestibule between the
main door and the East Room. requisite
force of police to preserve order were stationed
by, Lieut. Hurley in charge, on the front portico
ana al various points inside the building.
The Diplomatic Corps were first received and
as there have been so many changes among the
Diplomats since the last New Years reception,
which was two years ago, all the legations with
their attaches called to-day to ply their respects
TO the President and Mrs. Grant. S, cretary
Fish arrived cary to present the corps. Mrs.
Fish was not present, as she is spending the
holidays in New York. The reception took
place in the blue parlor, which was lighted
with gas and fragrant with the perfume OF
flowers. The President aud Mrs. Grant.
with all the members of the cabinet. oh atsed
together socially until the presentation began.
Besides the President, Mrs. Grant, Secres lry
Fish and the members OF the Foreign Legations.
there were present Vice President Colfax and
wife, Secretary and Mrs. Delano, Mr.. and Mrs.
Creswen, Mr.. and Mrs. Boutwell,, Gen. Will
hams and wife. Secretaries Belknap and Robe
son, Marshal Sharpe and wife, Gen. and Mrs
Dent, Gen. and Mrs. BabcOck, Gen. aud Mrs
Porter, Miss Nellie Grant, Miss Drexel and
Gen. Dents daughters.
In the center of the room was a dia on which
VIII CHI was set a cole ct.on OF exotics before
which the President and Mrs. Grant took
their position. Secretary Fish presented
the members Of the diplomatic corps to
the President, and Gen. DabcUck presented
them to Mrs. Grant who was assisted in enter
tanning the callers by Mrs. Colfax, Mrs. Delano,
Mrs. Boutwell,, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Cres-
well.
Mrs. Grant wore crimson velvet, with train
and white point lace cape with sash ends
40 laoa foil l,ar H.
lace Golf dre was on her head, fastened with
small bunch OF flowers.
Mrs. CoIfax stood next to her, and wore white
silk dotted with black, with three rows of black
Brussels lace on the skirt; the waist was heart
shaped and trimmed with lace; pink flowers in
her hair.
Mrs. Judge Williams wore delicate pearl
colored silk, with Vandykes OF deep pink silk
trimming on the train and sash on the waist in
the form OF brete'les; her beautiful dark hair
was arranged to show to advantage her classic
head.
Mrs. Boutwell, wore a brown silk, and Miss
Boutwell, maroon colored silk.
Mrs. Creswell wore ca fe au lait silk very richly
and elegantly trimmed with velvet and fringe
of the same color.
Mrs. General Porter wore blue silk with lace
cape; long ends at the back.
Mrs. Babcock, blue silk, with lace cape and
sash.
Mrs. Judge Dent wore trained dress of black
velvet
Mrs. General Dent, a crimson silk.
Mrs. Sharp, green silk, with point lace cape
and trimmings.
Mrs. Delano, violet colored silk, with head
dress of white lace and pink flowers.
Miss Nellie Grant has two young lady friends
visiting her-Miss Drexel, OF Philadelphia, and
Miss Jewell. The three girls all looked lovely
in fresh rose-colored silks, with white muslin
Over-dresses. Little Bessie Sharp was with
them.
The foreign legations were headed by Sir
Edward Thornton, who is now Dean OF the
diplomats. He was accompanied by his wife
and the different secretaries. Lady Thornton
wore dark blue silk, trimmed on the train and
body with white guipure lace and black velvet.
Her bonnet matched. The Minister of the
Argentine Republic was accompanied by his
wife and daughter in deep mourning. The court
dresses Of the gentlemen were gorgeous. Many of
them wore numerous orders upon their breasts
and several the Cross OF the Legion Of Honor.
The Spanish Ministers manly form looked well
in his uniform, while the beauty Of his wife was
enhanced by black velvet polanase over a
dark silk and a foreign-looking little hat OF
Romero, Secretary of the Mexican Legation,
was accompanied by his blonde wife, who wore
black silk train, with ruches OF lblack illusion
and pink ribbon, and over-dress of pink silk,
with fiOunce Of white lace. The Peruvian
minister was unattended by ladies.
All the Judges Of the Supreme Court, without
their legal robes. called. Judge Strong was
accompanied by his wife and two daughters
One Of the young ladies was in evening dress
Of white, and looked very charming.
The Senators and Representatives were with
out ladies, and looked very plain in their dark
clothes after the glitter of foreign courts. They
were sandwiched between the gorgeous diplo-
mats and the brilliant uniforms Of the army
and navy.
After the Senators and Representatives came
Governor Cooke, with Mr.. Z. l.. Stanton, sec
Rotary OF the District, and Colonies Webster,
Owen, Moore and Wall, Of the Governors
stan; then Judges Cartier, Macarthur and
HUMPHREYS, Of the Supreme Court of the
District Of Columbia, and Judge Fisher, U. s.
A f<orDev. than tho unauharS ~ Tia Dc.-a -