Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-09


during our gay season. 1t would not be singular
for such stranger to infer there was grand
wedding party assembled, though il might appear
singular for so many weddings or, possibly,
funerals to take place the same day and at the
same hour. The surprise would be greater. how
ever when told that it was only the receptions
which take place each week at the houses of the
Cabinet ministers. Upon entering the front door
the hrst thing that attracts ones attention is
the amount OF pasteboard scattered over
the marble table. Entering the pariors of
the Secretary of State you become fairly
bewildC red by the spiendOr OF the scene. There
l. a crowd Of brilliantly-dressed ladies and the
hum of voices in different languages. Your eve
runs from face to face, and YOU are surprised at
the large preponderance Of beauty. There IL
the1najestic hostess. who, with quiet elegance,
welcomes each arrival. Her dress is only con-
slicuous for richness and good taste. Not far
of stands one of the daughters, Mrs. Benjamin
She has already adopted the matronly air and
&C o Davis who o fse fes se the na cty
the evening before. She looks very well after
her soiourn abroad, where she and her husband
were the recipients of so many attentions
While talking with her You are attracted
by the appearance of the beautiful Miss Ella
Ray, who wears an elegant costume of blue
green SILK, with bonnet to match. She is ac-
companied by her stylish mother, whose toilet
Of plum-cOlored silk is yery much admired
Looking across the room, You see a group of
Fish is entertaining the circle. She, not being
a detatdnts, can only enjoy at home her fortu-
nate position and happy surroundings, as she is
herself. Miss Chevallie is another beauty Miss
Ramsey, Miss Meigs and at least dozen more
are enjoying with much zest their first winter in
society. Everybody is kind, and it is to
phere through which they now view life
may never fade. Mrs. James Blair and
her two beautiful daughters were among
Mrs. Fish's latest receptions. Lady Thornton
was accompanied by friend. The Marquise de
N0aiiles was as usual. carrying on sparkling
conversation in her native tongue, for she as yet
has not mastered our tongue. All admired her
animated face, perfect teeth, and graceful
gestures. Mrs. Admiral Porter looked elegant
in black velvet bOardered with sable. Mrs.
Senator Stockton was gay and witty as usual.
The bride Madame Savage, and her husband
paid their respects during the afternoon.
Madame de Potestad was one of those who by
her beautiful face and costly attire attracted
great admiration. Mrs. James Brooks and her
much admired daughter, Miss Virginia, were not
left alone for moment. They are always in
great demand. There were also many gallant
and distinguished looking gentle present.
- The wife Of the Attorney General had quite
as brilliant reception as Mrs. Fish, nearly the
same company being at both houses. Mrs. Will
iams looked particularly distiague in a robe of
two shades of mauve silk. Her sister, Mrs.
Hughes, assisted in the reception.
- The family Of Secretary Delano, aided by
Mrs. Assistant Secretary Cowen, were also the
who called at the residence OF Mrs. Fish and
MIS-. Williams also dropping in here during the
afternoon.
Mrs. Secretary Boutwell, was too unwer to
receive, but the part of host in her parlors was
well performed by Miss George, aided by the
wife and daughter of Assistant Secretary Rich
ardson. As a matter of course, there was ouife
a throng OF distinguished visitors there during
the day.
= Mrs. Postmaster General Cresswell did not
receive yesterday.
- At the dinner given last evening at the ex-
ecutive mansion, the following guests were pres
ent :-Secretary and Mrs. Fish, Secretary and
o..r SarEsaary
ney General and Mrs. Williams, Hon. and Mrs.
A. Il. Borie, Miss Borie, Gen. and Mrs. Sher-
man, Admiral and Mrs. Porter, Senator and
er and Mrs. Blaine, Senator and Mrs. Chandler,
Hon. Smith, Ely, jr:, Hon. John and Mrs. Lynch,
Senator Anthony, Hon. and Mrs. H. G. Burch-
ard. The Marine band discoursed sweet music
during the evening, and the decorations of the
room were very handsome. The menu, prepared
by Mr.. Jacob, the well.known caterer, was as
ollows:-Creme de paisans la VictOire; can
apes de fOie-gras aux truffes; saumon, sauce
Tartare; Filet de b9uf, a la GODDARD; estomacs
de gelinottes, aPAmbassadrce; langues de mOu-
ton-Chartreuse; pain de lievreaux, Chasseur:
punch TOmain; artichauds barigoulle; dinde
salvage, rotie; salade; ct canvas back ducks a
la geee grOseile; putt de Jacob; gelee au Dan:-
seTfs.
Hon. Fernando Wood gave last evening, at
his elegant residence, a dinner to the following
guests: Senator Cameron, Gen.
Banks, the Marquis de Noailles, Sir Edward
Thornton, Baron Won Schlozer, the German
AMBASSADOR; Baron Lederer, the Austrian Min
ster; Senior Don Borges, the Portuguese Minis
ter; Senior Freyre, the Peruvian Minister; Sena-
tor Conkling and Senator Stevenson, and Rep
Morgan, SlOcum, Hancock, and
q fv.srSo (r.l1~
OF elegance and taste which always
marks the efforts Of Mr.. Wood as host. As
NJ Is Wood is in mourning, lher place on the oc--
Miss Beardsley and Miss Elmer, of New York
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. A. Levy was for
mally engaged to Miss Eva Hoffa, daughter Of
ouf well-known German fellow-citizen, NJ.
HOffa, at the residence of the latter, on street.
between 9th and tn streets. This mode of formal
hered to by many educated Germans. Mr' Hoffa
had chosen a very fitting occasion for the cele-
bration of this event, it being also the day on
which he, seventeen years ago, was betrothed to
MIs. H0ffa. The occasion was marked by an
elegant entertainment given by Mr.. and Mrs.
HOffa, which was enjoyed by large number of
persons well known I'm business and social cir
cles. The festivities closed with music, dancing
and other amusements, which were kept up
until late hour.
The annual ball of the Midshipmen will be
given at the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, on
Friday night. President Grant, Vice President
COlfax, Secretary Robson, Admirals Porter,
Case and GoldsbOrough, and other distinguished
persons have been invited.
MIR. and Mrs. Fletcher w. Harper, of New
York, are at the Arlington. Mrs. H. Is pleasantly
remembered here as Miss Mcdonald, and since
her arrival in the city, she has been the recipient
OF many polite attentions.
- Speaker Biaine's Receptions win 49, held ON
the following Friday evenings: January II, Feb
ruary 7, and February n.
- Mrs. Blaine's receptions will be held every
Wednesday afternoon, from $50 till D o'clock,
beginning JanuaryS.
General Sherman, Mrs. Sherman and ladies
of the family will be at home to receive their
friends on Friday evenings during the season.
Mrs. Sherman and family win receive visitors As
heretofore, on Mondays from to 5K p. m.
Mrs. Governor Cooke win receive on Tues
days from . to 5 p. M, beginning Tuesday,
January eth.
The SPECIAL CREDIT MoBILIKR AND THE
U. P. r. r. COMMITTEE. - The special COM
mittee consisting Of Messrs. Wilson, Of Indiana,
Shellabarger, Hoar, Slocum and Swami, APP
pointed by the House few days since to inquire
into the relationship Of the credit mobilier
with the Union Pacific railroad, met this morn
ing and organized, but, after discussion, con-
cluded that the resolution under which they were
appointed, did not give the committee enough