The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-10
WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
HcW THE LADIES AT THE CAPITAL DRESS.

In order that our lady readers may have some
idea OF the style of dressing INDUCED in by the
women of Washington, We extract the following
account Of the reception, at the White Hoase, OF
the new bride OF Lieut. Fred Grant, from the
New York World:
About week ago the very top LAYER Ct
| society's cream was stirred by some invitations
dropped in a few Of the most distinguished card
baskets, that read as follows
Tie President and Mrs. Grant
At Home,
Tuesday Evening, Nov. Is, 1874, at o'clock.
By magic intuition it was understood that the
reception was to introduce the Chicago BRIDE OF
Lieut.. Fred Grant to her new Washinton friends,
ance. SO they did, and last night the party came
off, and few more brilliant entertainments have
ever been given in the United States. Not that
it was crowd far from it There were barely
800 people present, and the east room has been
known to hold 1900, few of whom live to tell the
story. But light up the hundred burners in
| that same east room. reflected and reiracted a
| thousand-fold from crystal and mirror, and shed
that radiance on $50 handsome women and dresses
and 1t would puzzle the most ill-naturcd critic
how to get out Of admirinS the scene.
According to tho bylaws OF fashion, the guests
though invited at 9. did not assemble till 10, and
then they were met by the President and his
wife at the door OF the blue room, and by them
|
her husband little behind her mother-in-law.
You could hardly call Mrs. Fred pretty woman,
though her eyes are superb, her smile very win
ming. and her expressions intelligent. Sne is
a trife below the medium height, dark and sen-
der. Her manners are perfectly charming; and
the complete ease and cordially with which sne
greeted every one, WAS far more delightful than
any personal beauty could possibly be.
She wore her wedding dress OF white satin,
drawn back so closely over the hips that it was
he in fan
shaped train. The waist was surplice and the
sleeves borg. Over this. from the ruf1ie around
her neck to the hem OF the train, was an over
dress OF point-lace, the gift Of her sister, wife OF
Potter Palmer. the Chicago millionaire; nothing
in that style could sulpass it. Her jewels were
pearls and diamonds, ard her hair she wore
parted on one side ana twisted in large, dark,
lustrous coil at the back Of her head. The rich
ness of her toilet was the admiration OF the
womtn-its simplicity, Ct the men.
The groom looked proud and happy as we'll lie
might. He is accustomed to be looked at, for he
tells that when he was at West Point all the
visitors wanted to see Fired Grant and the
colored cadet" The colorcd cadet was the owner
of those famous toes the protection OF which be-
came o. national Importance. Mrs Grant wore
black silk, with black tulle and palses. She
seemed to be pleased at the favorable impress
sion Ter dauS hter.in-law made and responded
cordially to all the congratulations. 1t ru-
mored that Mrs. Sartoris would be here to meet
the Llide, but she will not come till January.
The ladies look so well-the bloom of the
mountain air and seaside has not yet been tar
nished by the glare OF gas-lamps and the fever OF
dissipation. Mrs. Williams, banished from So
cicty last spring by a long and severe illness,
was, as she always u.s. the confer OF group of
gOod;talkers. She is q fine-looking woman, with
plenty Of spirit in her manner and expression,
and has quite reputation as politician. She
wore blue silk, with odd trimmings of two
shades Of yellow. Worth dress, worn by Mrs.
ltathpone OF New York, was of blue also, with
black velvet bands and blue feather fringe, a
trimming that was as beautiful as uncommon
Mrs. Fish, the most high-bred and stately of la
dies, wore two shades OF pearl, trimmed with
bands OF violet velvet; her daughter wore pure
white tulle, with gaze de chambery sash, fast
ened by q knot of lilies.
Mrs. Stewart, wife OF the Senator from Nevada,
where money seems to grow on trees, wore a
rich scarlet satin, with point applique overdress
Mrs. Hooker, her daughter, whose wedding was
one of the red-letter events Of last season, was
dressed in gray silk and black lace. Another
Paris dress was of crimson and brown satin,
trimmed with watcr-lily leaves. Mrs. Mckee
and Miss Dunn, granddaughter Of Mr.. Lanier,
the New York banker, We're conspicuous for their
beauty and their dresses. Mrs. Mckee wore q
superb white satin, trimmed with tulle, black
velvct, End a prof,lson Of tea roses. Her sisters
dress was Of delicate muslin and Valenciennes,
locped with Sarlands OF wilted daisies. Miss
Cooke, niece OF Jay Cooke, to whom Lieut..
Grant was reported to be engaged ct one time,
was in While also. She is a lovely, slender
tlo1Ia