Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-16
Social and Personal.


The Minister of Hayti and Nine Preston
assembled most distinguished company In
the johnson House division of the Arlington
last evening. The handsome parloTs on the
first floor were all thrown open aud brill
llantly lighted and tastefully adorned with
pTofusion of choice flowers. The chande
litr In the parlor used for the reception of
the guests was made to appear au illumi-
mated bower, so artfully were arranged the
wreaths of smilaX which covered it and the
rare exOtics which were massed beneath ii.
The paTlors on the left of the entrance were
given mp TO the dancers, who were many.
Mr.. Preston and his handsome wife were as
sisted by their very attractive friend, Mrs.
Budd, OF New York. Mrs. Preston over pale
rose silk wore white gauZe striped with sill
yer, its draperies caught with garlands OF
ments, diamonds. Mrs. Budd's opal
tinted silk glimmeTed through clouds
of pOintapplique lace. The skirt was trained,
the corsage low and trimmed with point
Mrs. Fish wore pearl colored silk, beneath
exquisite Brussels lace; ornaments superb
was garnished with rare lace; her diamonds
were OF great value. Madame MantilIa wore
mber- tinted silk and costly lace, relieved
with crimson scarf gracefully draped; q
pearl necklace, diamond pendant, aigrette,
bouquet de cOrsag &c and earrings OF diamonds
were the ornaments. The Baroness SAINT
Anna bore beautiful toilet OF white satin
and rich white silk combined, with deep fails
of blonde lace richly embroidered in white
bugles; ornaments diamonds. Lady Thorn
ton wore mauve silk and point lace. The
Countess HoyOs wore white silk relieved
with costly lace; her ornaments were dia-
monds OF extraordinary value. Mrs. Gore
Jones wore most becoming green silk,
with white draperles. Miss Edes' toilet
maielasse was very dtstingue. Miss
English wore becoming toilet of
white tulle pulled over white SILK aud gar
landed with fine flowers. Mime Mariscal
wore rose te'ldre silk. garnished with costly
lace; ornaments pearls. Mrs Yoshida wore
rose silk, trimmed with itself and white
lace. Miss kllbourn was charmingly attfrei
In pale rose SILK. Mrs. Elijah Ward, Miss
Brewer. Mrs. Chittenden, Mrs. Cotton, Mrs.
COLOvCr. Mrs. Cartwright, Miss Sheriff.,
Mrs. kilDOuIn, Mime Dardon, Mime de Heg-
elnann. Miss YoaneZ, Nine Romero, Mime
BcTges. Mrs PieTrepont, Mrs. BristOw, Mrs.
joel Wolfe, Miss Wolfe, Miss Florence Jew
ell, Mrs. Lyman X. Bass, Mrs. Benjamin and
Mrs. s. '. Niles werf all attired with rich
ness and good taste. Que of the most bOIIl-
tiully provided and ela0Orately decorated
tables observed this season was set in ore OF
the largest rooms of the suite of apartments
Champagne, punch and many delicious edi-
bles were Included in the menu.
The President and his family, Senator and
Mrs Edmunds, and the Russian minister
ana NJ me Shishkln, all entertained guests
az dinner yesterday.
"A delightful dancing party was gwen by
Mr.. and Mrs. Cake, at Willar5's, lCst even
Ing, which fairly divided the honors OF the
O.
ton. Many of the guests attended both re-
captiors. The attendance at the dance was
quite large, the toilets were very fine, and
the attractions offered were enjoyed until
late hour.
Colonel and Mrs. Dom Platt arrived at
their home yesterday afternoon. Her many
friends will be glad to hear that Mrs. Piatt
Is very much improved Ia health and en-
jOyed pleasant voyage. General Banning
has leased house on New Jersey avenue
opposite General Buffers residence. Mrs.
Banning was expected last evening, and
will receive a most cordial welcome from
her large circle of friends.
Mrs. Senator Paddock will not receive
hereafter on Thursdays.
The ladies If Metropolitan M. f. Church.
headed by Mrs. DR.. Newman, are preparing
for grand entertainment at Willard's Hall
Thursday and Friday evenings OF this week.
IL Is called the Martha Washington's Tea
party. Some of the ladies will appear in
dresses WON hundred years ago. There
will lie musical and literary exercises aud
refreshments.
NOT IN TIE CIRCUS BUSINESS A dis
patch has been received al the State depart
ment from one Myers, proprietor OF the
American circus in Europe, saying that
Gratiot Washburn, son OF Minister Wash
burn, never acted as his agent, and that he
never advertised in an American paper for a
performer, as has been stated.
THE Senatorial friends of Mr. PIncbback
came TO the conclusion to day that, owing to
the absence OF Senators Sharon. Burnside,
and others who, If present. would vote for his
admission, 1t would be best not to call up
P-'s case this week. There seems to be less
admis sion, and II seems to be conceded that
II he does secure a seat in the Senate 1t will
be shy the skin Of his teeth"
GOLD DIN ALASKA The Secretary of the
Treasury has received a communication
nom the collector OF customs at Sitka
Alaska, stating that a returned member of a
small party of prOspecters Informed him
one OF the brapches of the Keni river, and
MADE rom 81 TO So day, coarse gold-no
bed rock-but that he could not state whether
there were extensive diggings or not.
THE MEMPHIS AND Ell PAso RAILROAD
INVEST 6 ATIoN.-Col. Martin was heard
before the HQpse Judiciary Committee this
morning with reference TO payments made
to engineer the Memphis and FL Paso Rail-
rcad scheme through Congress. His testi-
mony was mainly as to payments made on
account OF legal fees, printing, &c. General
Frement, al his own request, has been re-
lieved from attendance until Saturday, at
which time he will give his testimony. He
left for New York last night.
A SWEEPING REDUCTION.-The House
Committee on Appropriations have com
pleted the items In the legislative, executive
anu judicial appropriation bill relating to
the internal revenue department of the
treasury. The estimates have been emf down
from $4,000 600 to 2 ,05G, 900. The number of
collection districts have been reduced from
16l TO 105, which makes a saving of over six
hundred thousand dollars. By the reduction
or the force OF gaugels, inspectors, supervfs-
ors and storekeepers reduction of s l36 600 is
accomplished, and saving of $50, 600 is con-
templated by reducing the estimate for dies
paper, and printing internal revenue stamps.
AN AFFLICTED FAMILY.-The family of
General l.. II. Pelouze, Assistant Adjutant
General U. 8. Army, and orderly in the War
department, has recently met with sad mis-
fortunes. About three months ago a brother
OF the general died in this city. On the 2d
ultlmo his mother died at Philadelphia,
whiie his father suffers from an ulcer In his
throat, from which he cannot recover, and
his demise Is daily expected. To these nu-
mefous afnlctlOns was added the death of his
orother In law, Hon. T. j. ID. Fuller, which
occurred few days ago, at Upperville, Va.
The General and his family have the sympa-
my OF their numerous friends in this com
munity.
CROOKED MoNEY.-The secret service bu-
reau OF the Treasury department yesterday
received thfrty-two plates, from which many
counterfeit notes have been printed. They
were captured in Centraiia, ILL.,, in October
last, when Nelson briggs and his notorious
gang were captured. briggs was last week