The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-29
kALAkAUA.
The Presentation ut the White House.
Who We're There, and What the Ladies
Wore.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1874.

which will never be effaced, for were we not pre-
scented at the Republican court last evening,
and haven't we shaken hands with royalty
itself in the person OF King Kalakaua, who
has taken the wearisome journey from his
island domain to our own Washington?
For a week We have all been anxiously
awaiting the first glimpse of his Majesty, but
a violent cold kept him closely at the hotel
until Thursday. Yesterday he proceeded in
state to the Capitol, was duly presented in
both Houses of Congress, and last evening
President Grant accorded him presentation
to select company. The list embraced the
Cabinet officials, with their ladies, the Judges
of the Supreme Cour:, prominent naval and
military chieftains, Senators, members of
Congress, and a few distinguished citizens.
There was no crush or jam ; it was simply an
elegant party, comfortably filling the great
East Room all the time, and overfowing into
the adjoining saloons in pretty groups, which
made effective tableaux.
Outside the gate therewere knots Of curious
people; few more highly favored stood near
the portico watching the ladies as they left
their carriages; courteous attendants showed
the way to cloak-rooms, and then we moved
through the grand hall to that superb East
Room. We only remember a confused glitter
from the crystal chandeliers. shining OF
heavy gilded frames about the mirrors; we
presume the windows were properly draped,
but the people were so much more interesting
than any details of furniture could possibly
be, that we kept all our eyesight for them.
Opposite the entrance stood the President
with his distinguished guest, while on either
hand were the ladies OF Cabinet officers and
the equally celebrated Mrs. Colonel Grant.
Postmaster Jewell, with Secretary Robson,
stood before the group directing the guests as
they came in regular succession to offer their
greetings. We passed to their right, moved
slowly onward, then found ourselves face to
face with the King, who bowed gracefully and
clasped our Republican fingers as cordially as
if we, too, were born to the purple. His Maj
esty is tall, finely formed, and looked exceed
ingly well in his simple evening dress.
DOSAA
better pleased it he had treated us to a hint at
least of the splendor his islanders consider
necessary to his state? We remember won
derful tales Of royal mantle made from the
golden breasts of tropical birds, of a crown
whose flashing jewels made halo about his
head whether he were saint or no, and am
sure he could have held sceptre with SUI
premest dignity. Of course his appearance
was in much better taste, but since the divin-
ity hedging about king is invisible except
to the eye of faith that needs strengthening
very much we would like now and then to see
little of its insignia.
President Grant stood beside the monarch
looking pale and tired, but greeting us all
very pleasantly. Col Freds face fairly beam
ed with happiness when he met the bright
glances from the dark eyes of his new wife,
who chatted gaily with the groups about her.
Her dress was a pale lavender satin, richly
trimmed with exquisite point lace. The
sleeves were short but the arms were covered
almost to the elbow with gloves matching he1
dress, and the glossy waves OF her hair were
crowned with tea-rose nesting there as il
it liked the position vastly.
Mrs. Fish was as grandly courteous as ever
and then came Mrs. Bristow, who is by far thu
most charming lady Ihave seen. Not strict!
beautiful, perhaps, if you study her features
but her dark eyes are so softly brilliant. and
her smile SO very charming that every bod!
|surrenders Internationally; and then, whel
YOU hear her speak, you find new fascina
ton in the low musical voice. Her dress wa
black velvet, slightly relieved with pipings o
lavender satin.
Mrs. Logan, Of Illinois, wore a costume o
mingled silk and velvet of the color of chest
nut leaves in autumn; Mrs. Bass, of Ne1
York, was conspicuously elegant in her bri
dial dress of illusion over white silk, with de
corating wreaths of orange blossoms
But how can tell you of all the toilettes
when must so soon exhaust my adjectives
1 must, however, speak of the unique COS
tune from Japan, which the little lady {
the Japanese Minister displayed.
The long train and tunic with its wild
hanging sleeves were of heavy white sill
while all around both train and tunic ran
wide border of scarlet, bearing tangle {
tropical buds and flowers in brocaded pa
, tern. The effect of the loose, ill-ftting tuni
was not pretty, but it was gorgeous.
, Miss Clara Louise Kellogg was present in
s dress of creamy white, most deliberately fasl
d toned. Certainly she has lovely face, an
l. she lifted it often to that of her distinguishe
v looking escort in a way that augured i'll fe
: his peace of mind if he was at all susceptible
n But few of the gentlemen in Congress hay
it brought their families. Many OF them al
}. waiting to come till after the holidays, b
r the session will be short: many OF the mer
e bers will not return at all. There were mai
lie lovely young girls present last evening" who
IL names we could not learn, but whose swe
ID faces we shall remember much longer thi