National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-14
SOCIETY MATTERS.
The State Dinner ut the Executive Mansion
Other Imporinnt Events.

The State Dinner ut the Executive Mansion
Other Important Events.
The State dinner at the Executive Mansion,
the reception at Sir Edward Thornton's, and
the great pound party at the Riggs House were
q few of the events of last evening. The cards Of
invitation for the State dinner named the hour
of seven o'clock, and the first carriage came
fifteen minutes before, and the guests were all
there at 6vo minutes past seven. The Marine
Band were waiting in the main vestibule.
Every room in the mansion was brilliantly
lighted and the most choice plants from the
conscrvatories were arranged in the corridors
and parlors. The designs with which the
state dining room was ornamentcd presented
a triumph of floral art. In the centre of the
table, was tho mirror.lke plate purchased
when Mrs. Grant presided there. Beds of
brilliant flowers were placed on this, and deli
cate roses and ferns dropped gracefully over
the edges At either side were fancifu de-
signs in candicd fruits, with frost work in
icing, and pyramids of dainties and baskets of
flowers completed the central decoration. At
each plato was q boquet of Chinese rosebuds
The band played in an animated style as the
guests entered tho dningroom, and were
seated in the following order; At the centre
and on either side President and Mrs Hayes.
4
and Mrs. Evarts, Mrs. Judge Bradley and jus
tice Fields, Secretary of War and Mrs. Wad-
leigh, Mrs Senator Sargent aud Senator Ed
munds, Senator Merrimon and Mrs. Cameron,
Mrs. Matthews aud Senator Sargent, Senator
Teller aud Mrs. Mills, Hon. Mr.. Tucker and
Hon. Mr.. McCook, Mrs. Mckinley and Senator
Bailey Seated next to Mrs. Hayes were Vice.
President Wheeler aud Mrs. Justice Field,
Mrs. Thompson and Justice Bradley, Secretary
of the Navy and Mrs. Edmunds, Mrs. Davis
and Senator Davis Senator Wadleigh and Mrs
Teller, Mrs. Bailey and Senator Herman, Sena-
tor Cameron and Mrs. Tucker, Senator Shields
and Senator Matthews, Hon. Mr.. Mills and
Hon. Mr.. Mckinley. Mrs. Hayes wore garnet
silk and velvet with lilies of the valley ; Mrs.
Cameron, blue with white lace; Mrs. Bailey,
gold and black Mrs. Matthews, delicate blue
Mrs. Tucker, pale purple with lace. The
toilets were all very rich. The guests left Mt
ten o'clock after two hours spent over the
different courses Of the choice meaa
The reception held by Sir Edward Thornton
and Lady Thornton, assisted by her daughters,
last evening, was very brilliant event. The
attendance was very large, aud included the
members of the foreign legations distinguished
officials of the Government, and many ladie;
and gentlemen prominent In social circles
One Of the most elegant entertainments o.
the season was enjoyed at the Riggs House las
evening, on the occasion of the pound party
given Ill alu OF tDe w omen ) AlllSUdu ASSOClu
ton. The donations were numerous and
large sum of money was raised. Those recciv
ing Were Mrs Spoflord, Mrs. Kimmel, Mrs. I'm
! ogene Robinson Morrell, Mrs. Fort Mrs. Wat
I son, Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Garfield, Mrs. DR.
Q Woodruff, Mrs. Harris, Mrs Jones, aud Mrs
William Blair Lord. Among the hundreds o
guests were many beautiful ladies, aud on
legislators were well represented. Mr.. AM
Mrs Hilton, Hon. and Mrs. Jones, ox-Governo
Cheny and Mrs. Chcny, Miss Minnie Carlisle
the Misses SOlOmons, Mrs. Glrge3, Mrs. Buell.
o Mrs. Pound Mira. Powers, Mrs. Taylor, ant
Mrs Briggs t"Olivia') were among those pres
, emit
Wednesday evening Senator and Mrs. Mat
: thews gave the second of n series Of receptions
which was unusually pleasant. The rooms wer
oniortably filed during the entire evening
yet not so crowded US to prove disagreeabe
A covered awning was stretched from the door
7 way TO the street, and the comfort and pleas
" ure of guests was consulted in every arrange
ment. Senator and Mrs Matthews were rs
S sisted in receiving by their eldest daughter
!, Miss Genie, who was richly dressed in whit
e silk, holding an exquisite bouquet of tearost
n buds in her hand. Many Senators and mem
bors were present among them Senators An
il thouy, Burnside, Eaton, and Ransom. SecrC
= tary Schurz was accompanied by his daughte
l. who wore an exquisite costume of white sill
o ornamented with trimming of black velvt
4 panied by his daughters, the Misses Thornton
!. who appeared in white satin and tulle, and the
4 friend, Miss Boyle, also very richly dresse
=. Among others present were General and Nh
N Myers Judge Embry, Chief.Justice Oral
twhO seemed to take pleasure in escortr
pretty girls around the ROOM, Rcpresentatil
N Deorng and wife Mrs. Deerng most becon
2 ingly robed in white silk, Mrs Admiral PowC
III with no trace of recent llness), Represent
o. tive Monroe tof Ohio, aud many others.
'eS This evening the Italian Minister and IL
]" Baroness Blanc mold the second of series
receptions Tho first one, on last Friday WI
" very brilliant. Dancing Is feature Of the
+. elegant entertainments. Baroness Blanc "
y formerly Miss ferry from New York,
TO Mrs. Blaine held large reception ycslerdi
- afternoon, and was assisted by Miss Dodgo,wl
p was surrounded by friends, Mrs. Blaine's Dire
III was very rich black satin, with asinguar b
very pretty combination Of gold tint. Nj
Dodge wore ecru ddHqsse and blue silk.
IS The inclemency Of the weather last wet
~ prevented many from calling upon Mrs. Sc
ator Dorsey, who availed themselves of til
e- pleasure yesterday, the second reception di
Id after her pleasant party. Hcr dress yesterd
was very becoming one of cardinal silk.
superbly Mounted Nine stone
,al C1usIer diamond Rinp for Sl5 at Jncots Broi