Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-01
NEW YEARS, 1874.
The Receptions To-day.
Scenes at the White House.
Calls upon the Cabinet Ministers.
Other Receptions.


the enjoyment OF the day; in fact, the weather
was much more propitious than on the list of
January last year, when the streets and side
walks were covered with slush, which made
pedestrianism and even riding unpleasant. The
streets to-day were in good condition for walk
ing or driving, and presented an animated
appearance. An unusual number of carriages
were noticeable, while the sidewalks were
thronged with gentlemen in their " Sunday.
60 to meeting clothes en- route to
the residences of their fair friends
to make the customary New Years calls.
Judging from the list of those receiving pub.
lished in yesterdays STAR, the number to-day
was much larger than last year. This fact does
not give weight to the assertion that our COM
muDity is suffering to any great extent from
'hard times" All Of those whose names were
given in TIE STAR of yesterday received and
Tying to know that great many who held re-
captions did not embrace wines or intoxicating
IN uors in their list of refreshments. We are
also glad to be able to state that there were
comparatively few exhibitions of drunkenness
on the streets, and that the observance OF the
day was unmarried by disorders or disturbances
of any kind
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
Never did the White House present a more
brilliant appearance than it did to-day with all
the recent improvements completed. Very dill
igently have mechanics aud uphoste rers
worked day and night to have all in readiness
for this important day, when literally the eyes
of the world are upon the Executive Mansion.
The East room is q marvel OF beauty for just
such an occasion, where grand drawing room
is needed to accommodate the thousands who
call to pay their respects to the Chief Magis-
trate of the nation and his family. Everything
about the East room is new except the brick
walls and the carpet. After il was discovered
that the ceiling was unsafe 1t was determined
ia tear out the walls and remodel the entire
Hhara
ceiling md CoTinthian cslumns supporting the
frame work. These columns, as well the
mantels, pier tables, cornices, and chair bOrd-
eriIg are painted white and relieved with gold
The ceiling of the central division is pale gray
ground with small stars OF blue and gold. The
divisions on either side are gray with large
center pieces in gold and bordering OF the same.
The walls are covered with papier macae; that
rs, they are papered with grey paper that has
had the gold leaf applied after being put on.
ihere are three magnificent crystal and silver
chanderliers. These chandeliers have each A
burners with a concealed IT fiector underneath.
There are six superb mirrors, with frames of
white and gold. The cornices for the curtains
are the same. as are the pins that fssten back
the drapery OF the curtains. The curtains and
furniture are of gray satin, with wide border Of
maroon velvet. The underneath curtains are
of the most exquisite lace, while the heavy cur
taiDs are lined with canary cOlored silesia. All
tie portraits have been removed from the East
room as there are no panels where they could be
hung to advantage, for the frames all differ in
size. The full-length portraits of Washington,
Lincoln, Fillmore, and Scott, are in the Green
parlor, while the half-size portraits of Polk,
Pierce, Adams, Van Buren,, and Tyler, are 10
the hall next the parlOrs. The Blue room has
been retoucbed, both as to the walls and turn-
ture, and presents the appearance of one of the
handsomest drawing rooms in the cOuntry.
TO day the carpets in all the rooms were Gov
cred. The ladies who received o-day with Mrs.
Grant were ushered at once into the Blue par
or, the ushers relieving them OF their wrap
pings. Secretary, Mrs and Miss Edith Fish;
secretary, Mrs. and Misc Richardson Score
tary of War and Mrs. Belknap; Secretary of
he Navy and Mrs. Robson, who was accom-
uanied by q lady friend; Attorney General and
Mrs. Williams; Postmaster General aud Mrs.
Creswell, a lady was also with them; Mrs. SEN
ator Conkling, Miss Barnes, and DIR. and Mrs.
Tiffany were of the receiving party.
Promptly at II a. m, the President, with his
wife, came down stairs and proceeded to the
Blue parlor. Miss Grant was with Marshal
Sharpe. General Babcock followed with a
Young daughter of Marshal Sb arpe Mrs. G rant
and Miss Nellie wore black silk trimmed with
Grape. Mrs. Fish wore An elegant Partisan
toilette Of pnm colored silk, trimmed with light
blue Miss Fish, over q rose col0red silk, which
was ruffied, wore pale dove colOred silk over
dress Mrs. Richardson wore violet colored silk,
~hie Miss Bellies toilette Of pale blue, trimmed
with velvet bands of mazarIne blue, looked
very charming. Mrs. Belknap wore a white
silk with ehene stripes and flowers. which had
broad trimming at the back Of gray silk She
looked magnificent. Mrs. Robson wore mourn
ing. Mrs Cresswell wore pale shade of pea
cock blue silk, elegantly trimmed. Mrs. Will
liams, mauve colored silk, trimmed with vel
vet several shades darker. Mrs Governor
shepherd, tea rose silk, with overdress OF
black velvet. Miss Barnes wore rose colored
silk. Miss Tiffany, black Illusion and black
silk, with rose colored sash.
AS usual, the diplomatic corps in court dress
was the great feature or the reception. The
British legation now takes precedence, as its
minister, Sir Edward Thornton, is by the date
OF the presentation OF bis credentials to our
government, the senior minister pleni potentisry
In the corps. A minister It sident is not of rs
high rank as q minister plenipotentiary; there
fore, even when minister resident has the
seniority, be cannot be dean OF the corps. Sir
Edward and Lady Thornton were therefore the
nrst to be presented to-day. Accompanying
Captain and Mis-. william Gore Jones. Mr..
and Mrs. Harriss Gsstrell, and the Honor
able Power H. LIE Poer Trench. The gen.
and the ladies were handsomely dressed.
Next In order was the A austrian legation, Baron
Chas Lederer, and Mr. Ladislas hengelmuller
tlemen were of striking elegance, especially
that of Mr. Hengelmuier. Mexico was repre-
sented by the Senior and Sonora de Mariscal.
represented Italy Sweden and Norway were
represented by Mr.. A. Grip. The German ie-
CATION consists Of Mr.. Kurd Won Schiozsr, Mr..
decher and Mr.. P. w. Buddecke. From Brazil
were Mr.. and Madam Borges and Mr.. Benja-
min Franklin Terreao From Portugal the
has large legation, aud Admiral Polo APP
peared at Its head, accompanied by Senior Luis
and N adame de Potestad. Admiral Polo wore
the full uniform Of q Spanish Rear Admiral.
Baron Henri d Gutenberg, and his secretaries,
wore the Russian court uniform, causing that
legation to mako brilliant appearance. The
French legation was represented by the Margins
and Aarquise de Noailles, Baron Brin, NJ. T.
de Yermolon and n. Paul Dejardin. OF the
Belgian legation there were Mr.. Delfosse. and
Count Gontran de Lichtervelde. The popular
new Turkish Minister Gregoire Aristarcht Bsy,
and his secretaries, Baltazzi Efendi and
Ghalb Ehendi, wore the uniform Of their
country And the red Turkish fez on their heads.
Senator Don Antonio Flores and Madame
Flores represented Ecuador. From the Neither
lands, Mr. Bernhard DO Wirtemberg. From
Japan, Mr.. Giro Yano. From Chilli, Don
Frapcieco Gonzalez Errazuriz, and from Dem
mark, MI. j. II. De Hegernann Ltndencrone.
Mr.. Rothery and Mr.. Russell are in Wash
ington a. special Commissioners from Great
Britain and attended the reception to dav.
Accompanying the English party was Miss
Charlton and Mr.. Howard. The ladies of the
corps we're elegantly attred, SEINE In reception
dresses, others 10 walking dresses with bonnets
and hats. Lady Thornton wore Q rich black
silk. Madame Borges royal purple velvet
carriage dress. Madame Lobo an eleg ant light
silk reception toilet. Madame de Nosilles wore
q handsome street suit OF velvet and silk, as
also did Madame de Potestad and the beautiful
Madame Flores.