The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-06

ningness OF the belle-ers was sight to behold
but want OF space cOmpels us to cease here. Al
II 80 the guests departed, having passed one OF
the gayest of evenings, charmed with the hos
pitality of the house and the ladies generally
Much of the success Of the evening is due to the
efficient labor, of the floor managers, who, with
out being named, will consider themselves sue
cess.
Before the participants IN Saturday nights
revels were fairly over that dissipation,
New Years Day
broke,-not, indeed, for them only, but for all
Like IIomers Eos, the morn was all rosy frlnged
bright, glorious, beautiful. Like a new born
babe, the New Year came, bright with golden
smiles, with mien serene. All day long not a
cloud obscured the radience of the sun-never
was winter sunshine more beautiful; though cold
never mere welcome. If the day is an omen OF
the year, the millennium must come in 1877.
OF course, the fashionable business of the day
was the calling by the gentlemen. As the mum
Der of open houses was small, they were late in
starting few starting before noon. The number
of gentlemen out was nearly as large as ususl
20 callers, and those certainly found the day de-
lightful one. Not being pressed for time to make
the rounds" they were enabled to make real
call--not have to dodge in one door, say "how
dye" swallow cup of coffee and dodge out, as
usual So far as our limited experience of New
Years serves, we found it by far the pleasantest
days calling we ever INDUCED in. We found the
ladies cordial, afable and very entertaining. AT
several places we found the half hour an exceed
ingly short one. In most eases the ladies were
very handsomely dressed, while their tables, load
ed with tempting viands to feast said weary trav-
eler, were elegant indeed. So far as it extended
no more elaborate preparations for receiving
calls was ever made here.
But the great event of the day, and which,
doubtless, was the cause Of so few "open houses
was the reception of Mr.. and Mrs. +. L. Fiske, at
the Clifton Hotel in the evening, which was by
far the finest affair that Ottawa has seen for a
long time.
The Reception.
The party had been on the tapis for some time
past, and especially since Christmas, when all
the invitations-about l75-had been issued, had
the ladies been IN a whirl of excitement over
the coming affair, and the dress makers "crowd-
ed to death " with the rush of preparation.
Outside everything was favorable, delightful
day had been followed by an equally serene
evening and all were gay and happy. Inside the
most elaborate preparations had been made by
Mr.. Montrose, the proprietor. The parlors were
handsomely decorated with evergreens and
flowers, as was also the dining room, which was
cleared for the occasion, in which heavy wreaths
extended from the corners to the chandeliers
meeting in the center, under which was sus-
pended great globular figure. The chandeliers
also were trimmed, and on the south wall was
the legend in green Happy New Year, 1877"
The office also had its snare.
The guests began to arrive about 8 o'clock,
and from that hour till after 10 the rumbllng of
carriages in the streets, and the rusting of silks
and hnrrying OF delicate feet in the halls grew
more continuous, and by half past 10 the as
sembly numbered but little if any less than 100
guests, embracing the elite OF Ottawa and num-
Der from abroad. We must be excused from
mentioning the notabilities Of Ottawa who were
present, for the Est would embrace great por
ton of our leading citizens, and to select names
would never do.
The festivities began about 10 o'clock by a
Grand March by Willis's full band, in the dining
room, which rapidly filed with the pleasure
seekers eager to begin the gay dance The
sight in the hall was truly brilliant. The beau
tful decorations, the profusion of flowers, Sup
piled through the happy foresight of the host
and hostess,) the superb toilets, all combined to
IN n richness Re
low we attempt description of tne leading
toilets, but are sensible of our imperfections in
this branch of literature. Yet this is certain,
moi more magnificent display of richness Of
dress has been seen in Ottawa for years. After
such display one need not leave Ottawa to see
fine dresses. If any are missed, we crave par
don, regretting that VIC cannot present the sub
ject at greater length:
Mrs. F. l.. Fiskc, elegant dark silk, coral jew
elry.
Miss Allie Fiske, bottle green, cardinal trim.
mings. Miss Sarah Fske, light blue and white.
Both young ladies looked petite and charming
Mrs. W. Bushlclll, rich brown velvet, lace
oyerdress.
Mrs. S. Bushnell, black silk, necklace of white
and black flowers.
Mrs. Judge Miller, handsome black silk.
Mrs. A. Lynch, elegant black silk.
Miss A. Lynch, light blue silk, with over
dress of cream lace.
Mrs. DIR. Phillips, olive.brown silk, coral jew.
elry.
Mrs. G. Hull and Miss Dutton, black silk
and velvet; flowers.
Mrs. W. Hull, black silk, trimmings of black
.ulle and cardinal flowers.
Mrs. j. +. Nash, black velvet, Roman gold
ewelry
Miss T.. Nash, lavender and white silk skirts.
with silk corsage; pearl necklace.
Mrs. Valentine, black silk, lace overdress, pink
lowers, demi.sleeyes.
Mrs. X. Allen, light blue silk, elegant white