The New York herald., 1872-12-31
Social Life in the Capital Dur
ing the Holidays.
THE PROGRAMME FOR new YEARS DAY.
What Will Be Done at the
White House.
LIST or THE PRESIDENTS VISITORS.
Private Receptions. Dinners, Parties
and Literary Reunions.
MARRIAGES TO TAKE PLACE.

MARRIAGES TO TAKE PLACE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1872.
Christmas this year was chiefly day Of indoor
observance. icy winds and snow being In posses
sion OF the outer walls. The children's parties so
common to the time were nearly. II not ALL broken
up by the severe weather, fond parents declining
to expose their darings, spite Of warm wrappers,
carriages and short distances and stout hearts In
the youngsters themselves. On Christmas Eve,
though, great gathering OF the little folks took
place In the apartments OF Nine. Schicble, Ger |
man lady OF acknowledged beauty and brilliant
talents, for whose pleasant acquaintance our 80
ciety is under obligation to Mrs. Dahlgrsn. widow |
OF the renowned admiral. A large tree, loaded !
with gifts for her young guests and lit by brilliant
Bengal light, was the centre or attraction for the
children, while the hostess herself proved no less
attractive to the many children Of larger growth
who had their juniors in charge. To borrow the
language OF the concert and lecture room, the
audience was OF q most select description.
Last week little Miss Niles. OF street, assisted
by the nieces Of General David Hunter the pioneer
OF emancipation ''war measure" got up .
Christmas Fair for the benent OF the orphans,
which they managed with as much ability, and far
less jealousy, than the elder sisters who now and
then venture into such little enterprises OF mingled
vanity, Irritation and charity The tables were
attended by several little girls, dressed In pretty,
coquettish-looking caps, which gave the wearers .
decidedly Frenchi1ed look. All
OUR ''BEsT PEOPLE"
patronzed the Orphans Fair, which was one OF the
most pleasant and substantial events OF the holiday
season.
The little children OF st. Roses Industrial Home
gift OF Mrs. Bingham, wife OF General Grants
Chief Quartermaster at vicksburg now an assist.
ant OF Qaartermaster General Meigs; and at all the
charitable institutions there were ample gifts and
glorious dinners.
The Dutch Minister Resident Mr.. Bernhard de
Westenberg gave gentlemans dinner party at
Welcker's on last Monday evening, at which the
Ministers Of France, Spain, Turkey, Portugal and
Peru, and other diplomats. were the guests, with
Mr.. Assistant Secretary Hale representing the
State Department. The dinner was an elegant
affair. But one more interesting was that given
by Mr.. Charlton, OF the British Legation, few
nights BEFORE In honor OF Miss Mary Campbell, to
whom, as already mentioned In these letters he Is
engaged to be married. The party numbered
twelve, and comprised Of course only the relatives
and intimate friends Of the ''happy pair"
Mr.. Carlisle, one OF Washington's great advocates
and at present counsel for Great Britain and for
Spain before the British and Spanish Commits
sions claims now sitting here, entertains
the Ministers OF those two countries, together with
Lady Thornton and other members Of the dip
omatic corps this evening. on next Friday At
torney General Williams will follow with diplo-
matte dinner, his guests being the leading men,
bcrs OF tue corps.
CHURCH SERVICES
were well attended on Christmas morning, such as
nOt mi bpi
| called out by the 'extraordinary holiday attrac-
| tons" which the temples Of religion, as OF the
| drama, had prepared and announced beforehand.
| Tie Metropolitan Methodist, where the President,
Vice President and other dignltaries OF state hold
| sittings, opened with ambitious programme on
the chime bells at early dawn. The rustic Epis-
copa church ST. Jonn, directly across Lafayette
square from the Presidents house, held out the
triple temptation OF new chancel, an elaborate
evergreen decoration and choral choir Of twelve
boy sosrs1os; three boy altos three adult .sa?rs
and three bass0s In English Cathedral music The
Epiphany church, where Sir Edward Thornton has
his pew oered the best church quartet in the city,
,nd an adornment of post pillar and roof surprising
former Efforts The ritualists OF st. Paul's were
eated to midnight mass, II such an advanced
W may be used without offence to Anglican
salism. The Catholic churches all made extra
provision or music OF course. At st. AlOysus'
about thirty masses were celebrated in all during
the morning. This church was very beautifully
GENERAL THADDRUs p MOTT,
OF the Egyptian army, and son Of the late DR.. Val.
entine Mott of New York, is here, with his wife,
awaiting the arrival Of Prince Hassan, third son OF
the Khedive, whom he Is to accompany In tour Of
Is Beauty Of the southern G type
good speaker OF English and very lively and en-
Representative Tyner, OF Indiana was married
on Christmas Eve, at the Metropolitan church, to
Miss Kinds, Of this city, the ceremony calling out
almost ~i
QUORUM OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.
West End gossip connects the name OF Mr.. George
dains to sparkle with the emblems OF mushroom
national banks and credits mober, with the
OF Gales and scaton. The same authority has it
that the daughter OF Senator Schuiz, after her
Wealthy vesarh NsW YORK % Merchant One Of Senator Fre
linghuysen's daughters Is also reported engaged,
noa aw New
| being the reputed winner OF the fair maid OF
Mr.. ]. r. D. Lanier, the New York banker. has
been visiting his daughter, Mrs. Dunn, wife OF the
Assistant Judge Advocate General, and has now
i gone on . business journey to New Orleans.
OF the Presidents Is New New Year receptions is out,
years. At eleven O'Clock the ceremony 10 to begin
with the reception OF the Cabinet Ministers and
the reception Of the diplomatic corps. Tne recep.
tlons take place In the blue parlor, which IL hand
somey decorated and illuminatsG for the purpose
Generals Babcock ana Dent, the military secreta-
ries; Marshal Sharpe, the Yankee 'lord chamber
lain; ~ Secretaries Fish, Boutwell,, Beiknap and
Robson, with Attorney General Williams and Post
master General Cresweil; Mrs. Frederick and Mrs.
Louis Dent, the sjsters-in-law OF Mrs. Grant; Mrs.
Sharpe, her sister, and Mrs. Babcock, wiic OF the
Presidents chief secretary. Several OF the Cabinet
| ladies will also be present, including Mrs. Fish,
! Mrs. Boutwell,, Mrs. Creswe and Mrs. Williams.
Miss Nellie Grant, her cousin, Miss Dent and pos
sbly other young lady friends win also assist All
SPECIAL TOILETS IN PREPARATION
for the event. As usual, the Marine band, In full
uniform, will be stationed in the spacious vest-
bue Of the Mansion to furnish the reception music
| The diplomatic corps, In court dress-with army
/ and navy uniforms upon such members as are en-
! titled TO wear them-wil be headed by Blacque
| Bey the D0yen or senior member Of the corps; but
| Secretary Fish will present the members to the
President, while General Babcock win perform