Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-19

The afternoon receptions yesterday were, So
ciaily speaking, very pleasant, though not
crowdea.' The attractions at the Capitol, the
fatigue SITTER the party tie night before, and the
anticipatioRs Of Mrs Cookies ball in the eve
ming were some Of the reasons Why there were
20 few personse cut -
/ = Mrs. La:hrop's reception was an exception,
for her parlors we're well filed all the afternoon.
Miss Ramsey, Miss Davis, and Miss Scranton,
niece Of Mrs. Judge Davis, were Mrs. Lathfop's
assistants. With so many charming ladies in
the bright parlors, and exquisite flowers every
where, it was an attractive house, and each
guest as they departed expressed the pleasure
the cali had afforded them. --.'.I
Mrs. Hutchinson and Miss Abbott were as
sisted by Miss Jeffries. 1t was great pleasure
TO stroll through the beautiful rooms, listen. to
the music and watch the dancers At no other
reception this winter has there been 80 mach
space for dancing; consequently, no other dance
has been altogether so satisfactory to partici-
pants. There are few houses in the city which
will compare with this one, and the careful Sc
lection OF all the accessories bet0kens a refined
and cultiya ted taste.
BY ten O'Clock the spacious mansion OF
Governor Cooke was wen filled with the most
distinguished people OF this and several other
cities. Since the invitations were issued every
one has anticipated an entertainment that
would surpass all its predecessors; bat not even
the most extravaganza Imagination had woven
such dreams OF beauty as were realized upon
entering the house. 1t is truly a palatial man
together, and each one furnished in exquisite
taste, with pictures upon the walls. Every
doorway was garlaDted with green, from which
baskets Of flowers were suspended. The mantles
, were lmbedded With moss, upon which rested
Gala lilies, jap0nicas, and other rare flowers.
Ivy Tailed from these beds OF flowers over the
white nantes. The woodwork of the wide arch
way was entirely covered by q wreath of green
studded with flowers. In the parlOr where the
Governor and his wife received their guests q
center table was converted into bed OF flowers
A ballroom had been erected for this especial
evening, and the scene there was absolutely
enchanting. The hall that connected this roam
with the main drawing-rO0ms was lined and
gilt chains, flags, and bird cages. On either
side were large lowering plants, such as came
las, azalias in different cOlors, and other rare
exotics. Cut glass chandeliers with many gas
burners brilliantly illuminated this passage
way as well as the ballroom, which was entirely
covered with rOse-cOlOred hangings, inter-
hanging bird cages. The band OF music
was stationed in gallery, so that
all the space Was given up to the
were danced, while in a distantparlor there was
another band OF music and the quadrille and
lancers were danced. Although this was one OF
the largest private parties ever given here, yet
there were 80 many spacious rooms to wander
through ami admire that there no unconl-
Portable crowd. The stairway leading to the
second floor was festOOned with green and a
large pyramid Of flowers rested on the lower
baluster. From the stained glass sky light,
which gives light to this stairway, there was
suspended an immense ball composed OF the
rarest flowers. 1t requires poets pen to give
any adequate idea OF the splendor OF the scene.
On all sides 1t was pronounced the most artis
tic and elegant ball ever given in any private
were four different rooms with supper tables.
These tables were marvel, not only OF beauty
but OF everything that wealth and the best of
caterers could furnish.
The best OF the tale is yet to come, for each
one ON arriving stopped to notice and admire
many of these things; but after leaving wraps
in the care of well-trained servants the stream
descended to the drawing room upon the left of
the entrance, where stood the Governor with
his charming wife, ready to give q hand Of well
come to each. Miss Cooke and her cousin, Miss
Humphreys, assisted in receiving. Mrs. Cooke
wore a rich satin of the color described as reft
deau. Over this was worn an Overtlress Of the
finest point d Aiencoa.- The low neck, waist, and
short sleeves were trimmed with this superb
lace, as was the drapery at the back. white
feather with a splendid diamond ornament was
worn on the head. Miss Cooke was dressed
entirely in white. The dress was white crepe de
Paris, trimmed with the same, and q sash of
the same was worn below the waist, falling at
the side with graceful bow and ends. Her Or
naments we're pearls. Miss Hamphrey's dress
was blue. Mrs. Grant wore blue SAX with white
point lace fOunces. Miss Nellie wore lemon
cOlOred tarlatan and silk, with sprays Of flow
Of asss ar.sm .s ss an
headed with silk a darker shade. Mrs. Cres-
wells toilette was one OF the most elegant worn.
Madame Blacque wore corn colored silk train,
with Oyerdress OF crepe the same color, which
was trimmed with white blonde lace; the open
front was trimmed with wreath Of the lowell
est flowers. Lady Thornton wore white satin
train, trimmed with lace and black velvet. Her
jewels were amethyst and pearl, with diamond
bracelet of great beauty. Mrs. Spra que wore a
Mexican blue silk, with hounce of the same
around the train, which was corded with tea
rose silk. A ruehing OF the blue silk was lined
with this delicate contrasting color, and above
this Marguerites were embroidered. The waist
and over-dress were embroidered to correspond;
and trimmed with mixed blue and the tea-rOse
shades. Beneath the apron front Of the blue
fell another apron OF the tea.r0se silk, with deep
fringe OF the same color. A delicate spray of
flowers rested against the auburn hair; Mrs
present; she wore half-mOurning. But our
space h too limited to undertake to give even q Z
brief description Of tenth part of the toilets
that were richly worth describing, If one only
had the talent and the time necessary for the
task. Our readers mast be cUutent with the
assurance. which Will be endorsed by all pres
ent that the dressing was beyond Compare tue
during the season, which has been noted beyond
all predecessors for rich and costly toilets. In
deed: the whole affair was an event to be re-
membered Tor lifetime, as wen for the perfect
manner in which the munihcent and accom-
plished hosts filed their position As for the part
borne by their distinguished and. delighted
guests. no ~ - , r-srHyssss 80 - 80
Among the prominent persons present were
the President and Mrs. Grant and daughter;
the Nice-President elect; Chief Justice Chass;
the Secretary of the Treasury and Miss Bout
well; the ATTORNEY General and Mrs. Williams;
the Speaker and Mis-. Blaine; Marshal Shayre;
General and Mrs Babcock; General and Mrs.
Albert Myer; Senator and Mrs. Cole, dapxkter
and niece; Judge, Mrs. and Miss Rich3yds6n;
Senator and MIS- Fentef and the Missee Cur
nee; Judge and Mrs. McArthsr;- Judge, Mrs.
and Miss Annie Fisher; General and Mrs. Rick
etts; Colon ell 'Piatt and Mrs. Worthfngt6n Sem
atOr and Mrs. Morrill, and Miss Swami; Nj. and
Mrs. Geo. W. Adams; Mr.. and Mrs. Hailett Kill
bourn: Sir. HOratio King anddahg3iterhn Miss
Nichols Blaeaue Bey; Sir Edward and Lady
Thornton; Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Raw, Mrs.
Ross Ray, Mrs. Albert Ray and Nifes Ray; Miss
Lizzie Sherman and Miss Wheelan; DIR. Verdi;
DIR. Bliss and niece; the Secretary of War and
Miss worthington: ex-senator Henderson aud
wife; Gen., Mis- and the Misses Delaheld: Gen,
Mrs Hunter and Miss Stuart: Senator and Miss
Ramsay; Mr.. and Mrs. Niles AMI 1lrE Ellicott;
Hon, w. Il. Chandler and Mrs. Gov. Gilmore;
Colonel and Mrs. Mccoy and daughtee ana Mrs.
MOorehead; Commissioners Douglass; Mr.. and
Wan Minister and daughters; Gen. and Mrs. VIM
cent; Senator Howe and Majer and Mrs. Totten;
Senator and Mrs. Shegman; Col. and Mfs. Wan
and Miss Mccormick; Gen. Meigs, wife "a