Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-10
Society.
&c was taken of the fine wealth.

Mrs. and Miss Baird, who have charming
young lady visiting them, had large reception,
as also did Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Bouligny, who
were assisted by friend from New Orleans
MIS- Ross Ray, Mrs. Alexander Ray, Mrs. Dom
Piatt and her sister. Mrs Banning. Mrs. Alex
ander jeffrey and Miss johnson also received
many calls.
Owing TO the many large deputations which
went from this city TO attend the "miIdies ball"
at Annapolis, very few young people were call
ing yesterday. Mrs. Chubb took a bevy o.
young girls with her, her own daughter and
Miss Alice Brown being of the number. Mrs.
Carlisle Patterson had several young ladies
with her, among whom was Miss Annie Smith
Major Slack chaperoned another party. among
whom were his daughter and niece, and Mis-.
Leila Ray. Mrs. Richard Harrington and her
sister-in-law, Miss Lydia Harrington, attended
the ball, and will remain two or three days in
Annapolis. This evening the middies give a
negro minstrel performance.
An addition to the corps of young naval
officers in Washington is Mr.. Calhoun, late OF
the NirginiUs, or, rather, of the late Virginius
He was one of the officers of that historical
vessel, and can't exactly understand why he is
being Investigated, since he was the loser by
the sinking of the ship to the extent of upwards
OF three hundred dollars worth of clothing,
etc. Mr.. Calhoun is enjoying society under the
favorable auspices of Mrs. Paschal.
Miss Starbird, OF the Kellogg troupe, who has
been so unfortunate as to suffer from a severe
she returned to America, after her i've years
study in Italy, was placed by Secretary Nc
Culloch under the charge of Mrs. Hallet
kilbourn. Miss Starbird is pronounced by those
who ought to know to be proficient in Italian,
having entirely mastered that language. Her
voice Is fine and her musical education has been
of the most thorough description, and it is
greatly to be regretted that her hoarseness while
in Washington has presented our citizens from
hearing her under favorable circumstances.
The first reception this season of the Secre-
tary of State and Mrs. Hamilton Fish was in
every way the equal of its predecessors in other
seasons, in the distinguished company which
attended and the magnihcence of the toilets
nine until midnight, and a most delightful eve
ming was spent by those who enjoy conversation
tor there was no dancing) and interchanging
greetings and pleasantTi,s with friends. Mrs
and Miss fish were dressed with their custom
airy elegance. Mrs. Belknap was superbly at
tired in rich white satin OF unmistaka6le Pa
risiap style. Some of those present were Secre-
taTy and Mrs. Richardson, Secretary Belknap
Postmaster General Creswell, Senator Mrs
and Miss COnklng; Senator FreIinghuysen aud
daughter, General and Mrs. Foster, Mr.. aud
Je frey, of Rochester; Gov. Shepherd and Mrs
shepherd. Speaker Blaine, Mrs. Blaine, and
Miss Dodge, Gail Ramilton;" MIR. Richard
Wallach ard Mrs. wallach, Major Poore, Mr.
&. 5: Noyes, Miss Clara and Miss Mamie Green,
OF Westchester, Pa; Hon. VIM. p. Frye and
Mrs Frye, Professor Henry and Miss Henry,
Smith, Hon. Horatio King and Miss King, Col.
Dwyer, Gen. Butler, Judge Niblack and Mrs
NiblaclS, Hon. A. X. Cotton and Mrs. Cotton;
senators Ssi Ti,,o amss Anthony Bogy Bout
kasson, of Iowa; Mr.. W. Is. Shaw, Gen Gar
field, Hon. Horace Maynard, Mr.. S. p. Brown
Mrs. Brown and Miss Brown; Hon. Thos. Swami,
Hon. Fernando Wood and Mrs. Wood, Judge
and many others of prominence In
society or public life. The departmental corps
was very largely epreseDted. 1t is not only a
a fwnkf oh 10. -
body think due TO the Secretary of State and
his wife TO attend their receT tiOns but is also
one OF their greatest pleasures, since there are
few houses where they can be so agreeably en-
teTtained by host and hostess who can con-
verse with them easily in French, the one Ian
guage common to the diplomatic representa-
tiyes OF nearly all civilized governments.
General and Mrs. Foster celebrated the
rst anniversary of their marriage last evening,
by a small but very elegant dinner party.
The annual ball Of the midshipmen at the
naval academy took place last night at Annapo-
lie, and was largely attended by the beaux and
bellies OF Washington society. The old battery
was used as the bail room, and was artistlcally
decorated. Placed at intervals along the walls
were notices in cedar and box, studded with
fresh blooming roses. Among the notices were:
'Carpe diem," "Happiness was born twin"
- No sleep till morn when youth and pleasure
meet" &c. In the middle OF the room was a
fountain, whose twenty jets of water cooled the
air and kept down the dust. It's base was hand
sOmely ornamented with moss and lillies. The
moss bank was built up to the edge of the basin,
and bore upon II in letters of roses CAN is fair
In love and war" The dancing began at ten
O'Clock; at twelve supper was served after
which the german began, and was continued
until morning. There were twenty-five hun
bred invitations sent out, and upwards of two
persons were present. Among those
present from Washington were Miss sherman
Miss Brooks, Miss Morrill,, Miss West, Miss Bay-
ess, Miss MeBlair, Miss Allen, and Miss Brown
THIS being an off-day" at the Capitol, the
Executive departments reap the beneht of the
Congressional leisure, and the rooms of the
secretaries and other heads OF departments were
hronged by scores of members of both houses
If Congress. At the Executive Mansion there
vas large crowd of visitors, and the President
,ecelsed many callers; Among them were
on, and number of Representatives.
REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR, of. Mississippi,
while at the breakfast table at the Ebbitt house
yesterday morning, complained of feeling I'M
we'll, and soon after rose to leave the room
When ne ar the door he had paralytic stroke
and would have fallen had not some one gone
TO his assistance. He was taken to the parlor,
md afterwards removed to his residence. As
his is not the first attack of the kind his friends
cared it might prove fatal but he is reported
'etter, and will probably recover.
WHY THE VIRGINIUs WENT DowN.-Captain
Whiting, to whom the Nirginius was delivered
~ the Spanish authorities at Bahia Honda;
lieutenant Mark, flag lieutenant of the o. 8.
Vest India squadron; and Engineer Harris, of
he OssIpee, reported this morning to the naval
ourt OF inquiry now in session at the NAVY de-
'artment investigating the cause of the sinking
II the Nirginius. Daily sessions will be held by
he court until full and complete evidence is
obtained by the department, and the widely
nooted question as TO the causes of the Virginius
,olng down are officially set at rest
REVENUE DUTY. - The revenue steamer
levi Woodbury. has been ordered from Boston
o Portland to perform winter cruising duty on
he Maine coast in place of the revenue steamer
hcCulloch, undergoing repairs. The revenue
steamer "Hamilton," now having her head
quarters at Philadelphia, has been ordered to
AXE the place of the Woodbury.. The repairs on
he steamer "wm. H. Crawford" having been
completed she has been designated by the
President to perform winter cruising in aid of
essels in distress in addition to those heretofore
designated, and has been ordered from New
FORK TO Lewes, Del, with cruising grounds
rom Great Egg Harbor to Chincoteague, under
he general direction Of tn Collector of Gus
oms at Philadelphia.
HON. CALEB CUSHING, 1t is said, was entirely
unaware Of the compliment which the Presi-
lent had determined to bestow upon him. He
ad been hard at work all day settling up his
fairs preparatory to his departure for Spain
N the Path. The first intimation he had of his