National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-16
4 PICTURE OF THE PAST.
MARTHA WASHINGTON PARTY At
MASONIC TEMPLE.

UNIQUE AND BRILLIANT sCENE-MADAMs
AND MISSES IN THE COSTUME OF CONT
MENTAL DAYS = INTERESTING RELICS
DIsPLAYED-A GOOD SHOWING FOR THE
EPIPHANY CHURCH HoME-THE AFFAIR
TO BE REPEATED.
Any stranger, Of an Imaginative turn Of mind,
who visited Masonic Temple last night, might
easily have imagined that he had been suddenly
transported back to the earlier and simpler times
Of the REPUBLIC, when the great Washington
guided the destines Of the nation, and his good
vile, Martha, presided with queenly grace at the
Executive Mansion. II In rarely, even in the
fashionable society Of the national metropolis,
that 30 much beauty, gallantry and refinement
are mingled In any assemblage Is graced the
handsomely adorned ballroom Of the Temple on
this occasion; and certainly the fair forms and
sweet faces that were visible on sll sides were
never displayed TO more advantage than In the
simple CARDS which represented those worn by
our grsndmothers when they were sprightly
bellies In the latter part Of the eighteenth GEN.
tury.
Those who, with admirine eyes, gssed last night
upon our modern bellies with powdered hair, wear
ing white Swiss muslin caps, with neat costumes
Of silk, satin, chintz brocade and foullsrd, snow
white aprons trimmed with futed rufffes, ribbons
velvets, and with od-styls lockets and brooches
around their necks could not help contrasting the
beauty and simplicity Of the dresses Of our ances
tors with the gaudy pomp and snowy extraya-
gance Of those Of their descendants.
The entertainment was given for the benefit OF
the Epiphany Church Home, and was In every
respect 9 brilliant success. The hall was taste
fully decorated with the flags Of all nations, and
near the entrance, beneath the orchestra, was o
beautiful arch. inscribed with the name OF Mar
tina Washington, and trimmed with evergreen.
Rustic baskets Of flowers, cages Of singing birds,
nns engravings of General and Mrs. Washington,
q bright fountain imbedded in flowers, and mag
nihcent floral pyramids added much to the beauty
and elegance Of the Embellishments.
Among the thronging multitude we noticed the
President and Miss Nellie Grant, Gen. Sherman
and daughter, Senators Sherman, Bayard and
Stockton, Secretary Delsno, Judge Strong and
daughters, Gen. David Hunter, Gen. Townsend,
Col Audenreid,' Hou. John Wilson, Gen. Albert
J. Meyer, W. w. Corcoran, Alexander Ray,
Matthew W. Calf, Prof. Coffin, and many other
ladies and gentlemen well known In fashionable
circles.
The following ladies, dressed In antique style,
attended the tea tables, and dispensed elegant
Old Hyson, with cake, lemonade, bouquets, So:
On entering the hall you meet with the Floral
Stand, superIntended by Miss GilIis, assisted b.
Mrs Senator Dorsey. Some Of the flowers have
been kindly furnished from Mount Vernon.
Mrs Gen. Jetfrios, assisted by Miss JeffrIes and
Miss Blanchard, had charge Of an instrument
called tho megalethescope.
First tea table-Mrs. Judge Field, assisted by
Mrs. Senator Sherman, Miss BARLEY, Miss Hens-
zleman, Miss Miller and Miss Stewart.
Second-Mrs. Secretary Delano, assisted by
Mrs. Judge Ferris, Mrs. Bouligny and Mrs.
Weed Mrs. Delano was dressed strictly Ia
Martha Washington, and sat in the stuffed arm
chair used by Gen. Washington.
Third-Mrs. McCartee assisted by the Rev.
| Mrs. Watkins.
Fourth-Mrs J. O. Kennedy, assisted by Miss
Maggie Campbell, Miss Mary McAllister, Miss
Hattie Keene, and Miss Lou Belle Embery.
| Flfth-Mrs. Secretary Robson, assisted by Mrs
Camp (who only needs little more fullness Of face
to be the picture Of Lady Washingtou) and by the
Misses Stout The silver at this table is very old
and rich, and the property of Mrs. Robson.
! SIrth-afrs. General Parke, assisted by Mrs
Harris, Mrs. QUITS, the Misses Beale, the Mise.
Freeman, Miss Susie Lee, Miss Cuts, and his!
Edith Fish.
Seventh-Mrs. General Hunter, assisted By
Mrs. Niles, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Colonel Auden
reid, and Miss Waliaek. At this table is q beau
tlful satin guilt made by ladies Of California, ant
presented to President Lincoln, who donated 1t t
the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan Home, fol
whose benett It was sold. i is row for rafie
Then there are also pieces Of old silver plat
which bs!Qngsa p General Hunter. great uncle
who was the first president of Congress, and after
terward to his daughter, who married Dir. Brad
ford, General WashingtOn's first attorney general
There are likewise several pieces OF old silve
which were buried during the revolutionary wa
to prevent capture.
Eighth-Mrs. Admiral Powell, with ladies.
Ninth-Mrs. J. U. Evans, with ladies. At thi
table are some very rare relics Of the past, suci
as,two silver tankards, drank from by Genera
! Washington in New York, when he was wooing
Miss White in that city. President Grant took (
glass Of lemonade from one Of these during thu
sveaing. A dress 200 years old, belonging to {
Mrs. Byrd, Of Virginia, OF that carly period. A
pile Of linen drapery, made In England and sen
to the American colonies, and which is covered
with the devices Of ye olden time Soma silver
ware belonging to Governor Pemberton, Of Penn
sylvania, loo years old.
Tenth-MIss Margaret Washington, assisted b.
Mrs, Baldwin and Mrs. Blanchard.
Eleventh-Supper table, superntended by Mrs
Alexander Ray, Mrs. General Ricketts,, Mrs. Majol
Slack, Mrs. Admiral Goldsborougb, Mrs. W. R
Shaw, Misses Eades Mrs. Hinton.
Twelfth-Lemonade pavilion, suPerintended b!
Miss Nellie Grant, Miss Barnes, the Misses Ray
Miss Slack and Miss Annie Smith.
Adjoining the walls in the rear Of the tables arr
several fne engravings ofGeneraI and Mrs Wash
ington, and also of their hsst Presidential recep
ton, and Of the interview between Generals
Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon
These pictures are all tastefully entwined will
evergreen.
During the evening W. W. Corcoran, esq.
promenaded the hall carrying q cane given b,
Louis vi to Gen. Washington, and presented b!
q member of the family to the late eminent physt
clan, DR.. R. X. Stone, as an acknowledgment o
his signal professional services
The credit of tho exquisite floral and flag decora
lions is due solely to that prince of good taste
Col Audenreid of Gen. Sherman's staff.
Websr's full string band discoursed splo
music and all went as merry as q marriage be-
The festival Will be continued this evening.