The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-01-27
NO. 25
Ladies of the National
Capitat-HOw rhey Were Dressed and
How They Received.

have but newly arrived, and are scarcely
rested from the fatigues of the travel, that
none of the parlors were very full, in spite
of the lovely sunlight
Mrs. Fish received her guests in dress
of superb black brocade, quite rich enough
without profuse trimming. From her velvet
headdress long iappets OF rare point lace fell
over the black hair, concealing its arrange
ment. Miss Edith Fish wore blue silk,
simply made, but admirably suiting her
blonde beauty. We noted, among those
present, Professor and Mrs. Hillyarde, the
Brazilian Minister. Mrs. Gen. Ricketts,,
Madame Bugman and lady friend, while
Miss Edith held her own court of younger
people. The beautiful rooms at Secretary
Fish's are remarkably attractive, because
their location permits so much of daylight.
Mrs. Bristow greeted each guest with her
own charming welcome TO her new house.
She is delighted t. be under her own roof
again, having grown very weary of hotel
life. Her dress was u rich black silk.
NalencienAes face was about her throat
and wrists, and jabot of the same dainty
material extended from the neck to the
waist. Guests drifted in and out by twos
and threes. Among them we saw Mrs.
Eads, so lately bride. Her toilet of black
silk was very handsome, and the cream
white felt hat With its lovely plumes was
extremely becoming. A few gentlemen
mingled in the crowd of laiies, whom not
to know, perhaps, argued ourselves unknown,
but we couldn't help it. l
AT Mrs. Belknap's there were many guests.
This time the beautiful hostess was not the
only attraction, though she was looking her
loveliest in heavy white silk overdress
above a black velvet train. In the back
~orl, h. l,l~.. II.
year ago was SO warmly welcomed. Every
mother Immediately went into raptures over
the wee golden-haired Alice, and the young
ladies exhausted their adjectives in her
praise.
Miss Belknap wore a lovely dress of
French cambria embroidery. A pink sash
girdled the baby waist and a double row of
gold beads encircled the little throat. Her
hair is living gold, lying in wavy curls
round the pretty little head. The dainty
little midget stood bravely on her own lit
tie feet, and smiled enough to show her
pearls; then when asked to tell where she
had bumped her head, up went the dimpleu
morsel of a hand among the curls, giving
them rub which would have been fatal to
any unnatural crimpings. The darling is a
godchild of Mrs. Fish, and no one could
help loving her.
Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. New and Mrs. Tyler en-
tered together. Mrs. New wore black vel
vet relieved by bertha of exquisite Valen-
ciennes, hat of cream white felt with dainty
plumes, and diamonds for ornament. She
has lovely face, expressive of sweetness
and intelligent. Mrs. Kerr wore black
velvet polonaise over heavy black silk. Her
hat was of lavender and white, with crushed
roses for adorning. Mrs. Tyner's slight
| Fn. To-
Mrs. Robeson's parlors were full, allow
ing the lady only word and half to each
of her guests, but no one has pleasanter
words to say, so we are content. Miss
Minnie Stout assisted her aunt. Mrs. Robe
sons dress was of black silk, Miss Stout's
brown matelasse, SO far as the bodice was
concerned, but so many people surrounded
the fair girl, that not glimpse of the lower
skirt could be caught. We saw among the
guests Mrs. Judge Macarthur, and her niece,
| Miss Lizzie Wicott. Miss Lizzie was look
ing her sweetest in a black silk walking
costume trimmed with hsndss9es Ct fiji 4rac 4Fik 4ek
mingled with darker shade of purple.
A long line of carriages stood near the
residence of the Postmaster-G General on La
fayette square. Mrs. Jewell was near the
door of the library, wesring plainly made
costume of golden brown silk, so rich In Its
texture and sheen that it needed no dress
makers art. Miss Jewell had on her favorite
gray mingled with purple. The dress ad-
mirably suited the fair young face,
and one doesn't forget the cordiality
of the greeting from Mrs. Jewell and her
daughter. Mrs. Justice Strong las present;
Mrs. Doctor Newman and Mrs. ID. G. Cox,
with their friends from New York, Mrs.
Puddock and Miss Frost. Mrs. Newman's
toilette was especially elegant. A seal
brown silk suit trimmed with bands of cider
down in its natural color. The Japanese
Minister, accompanied by his charming
wife, came in for few moments, meeting
many acquaintances. Mrs. Justice Miller
was looking very finely, and making herself
as agreeable as ever.
| At Mrs. Pierrepont's there were great
many visitors. The falr hostess is certainly
most charming addition to the ladies OF
the Cabinet. Her dress was Of black silk,
decorated profusely with bands of feather
! trimming. A bouquet of natural flowers
showed among the rich lace about her neck.
Her parlors are very elegant. Senator
Booth, of California, was present; also Gen.
| Curlin and wife. Mrs. Chapman Coleman,
with her accomplished daughter, was warm.
1 ly welcomed Miss Mary Johnston looked
extremely pretty in delicate sage green
silk, trimmed most tasteiully with darker
shade. She was accompanied by her aunt,
Miss Johnston, whose bright letters to the
1 Albany Argus, and frequent spicy contribu
tons to local papers have made her well
/ known.
| Miss Annie King was present. Her ia
ther, Hon. Horatio King, is now in Rome
| greatly enjoying its treasures of art and his
| tory. Mrs. Judge Ferris was also there
looking well as ever, in spite Of that fatigu
ing Carnival.
1t Was late when we entered Mrs. Chan
dler's parlors, but not too late for pleasan
welcome from the wife of the new Secre
tary. She was assisted by her friend, Mrs
Poe. Senator Allison came in accompanied
by his pretty wife, whom every one admired
Mrs. Hale was not visible at this first recep
ton, owing to a eight indispositlon. Boil
Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Poe wore hand
some black silks trimmed with lace.
The striking feature Of all femininl
adorning this winter is the hat. How it j
j kept IN position no man knoweth, aud IL )
doubtful If any woman can tell, but ther
it is, as pretty and ssucy and tasteful a
anything can be, leaving all the crimps =
show their bright waves without conceal
ment, and only making sort of back
ground for charming faces. While masses
together in q crowded parlor, one nigh
fancy the scene Aconvocation Of gray-plum
aged birds.
The State dinner at the Presidents oI
Tuesday evening was an unusually brillian
affair. There were thirty-six guests, VIII
found tire evening SO delightful that IL wa
nearly midnight before adieus were spoken
Mrs. Grants dress of crimson velvet mad
an effective contrast TO the white silk petit
coat, bearing a wealth Of garlands for trim
ming. An elegant gold comb Shove
among the puffs Of the hair, while diamond
added their light 70 the splendid toilette
Mrs. Fish wore lavender brocade richi
trimmed with black Chantiliy lace. he
head-dress was Of lavender plumes, edge
with cardinal tint and few cardinal flow
i ers. Her ornaments were diamonds an
: pearls.
Mrs. Bristoy, who Is always lovely, Wh
remarkably elegant in an exquisite toilet
4 - 49, ofIk made IN fFQfuf