Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-14
Washington Society.

The first state dinner at the White House
this season took place last evening There were
thirty eight who partook Of it. Beginning on
the Presidents right there were at table Mrs.
Evarts, Mr.. Justice Field. Mrs WadIeirh of
New Hampshire. senator Edmunds Mrs. Angus
Cameron, Senator Sargent, Mrs. Mills OF Texas,
Senator Bailey, Gen. McCook, Mr.. Tucker of
Virginia, Mrs. Mckinley OF Ohio Senator Teller,
Mrs. Stanley Matthews. senator Merrmon. Mrs.
Sargent, Secretary Thompson. Mrs. Bradley.
the secretary OF State, Mrs. Hayes, the Vice
President. Mrs. Thompson, the Secretary of
war, Mrs. Davis, Senator Wadleigh, Mrs Bailey
Shields of Missouri, Mr.. Mckinley, OF Ohio, Mr.
Mills OF Texas, Senator Matthews, Mrs. Tucker
of Virginia, Senator Herman, Mrs. Teller, Sena-
and Mrs. Field, who sat on the left Of the PreSi-
dent. The entire first floor OF the White House.
including the conservatorfes.. was open and
in the vestibule, played at Intervals during the
banquet, which continued Gear three hours.
The blue parlor, where the guests first assem-
oed, and all the rooms and the corridor, were
handsomely decorated with blooming plants
The state dining room was similarly adorned
The table presented very handsome appear
ance. The floral decorations over the horizon
tai mirror were low enough TO permit the guests
to see and talk with each other across the
board There was no wine, of course, but a
very choice g,enu was served. The Vice Presl-
dent escorted Mrs. Hayes to the table and the
President, Mrs. EyartS.
The first entertainment on a large scale given
CURED last evening. The dancing party last
week was almost entirely limited to the young
people who are companions Of the Misses Thorn
ton and the members Of the diplomatic corps.
Last evening tie attendance was large, but
where so many spacious rooms are open one is
never crowded. The grand stairway was very
beautifully trimmed with blooming plants, en-
ttrely Conceaing its ratings. On either side the
staircase in the hall below was a pyramid Of
plants in full blossom. The company included
many Of the most distinguished people in the
city, and every lady seemed to have tried to
select her handsomest toilet for this occasion
Sir Edward and Lady Thornton dispense their
hospitality as cordially as generously, and make
each guest feel especially welcome. Their
daughters and Miss Boyle rendered them great
assistance on this occasion. The three young
ladies wore very tasteful white toilets trimmed
with flowers. Lady Thornton was very hand
Scme]y dressed and with her usual good taste
Many of those present were Senators or mem
beTs CT Congress and their families. senator
and Mrs. Angus Cameron came from the dinner
at the " hlte House, as did several others. Mrs.
Cameron wore superb dress OF lavender silk.
the whole front covered with fine white lace
The dlaperieS were OF wine colOred velvet.
trimmed with lace ornaments diamonds Miss
Parsons who came with Mr.. Webb Hayes wore
very becoming rose cOlOred silk. SenatOr-eleCt
Carpenter and his wife and daughter attended
Both these ladies' wore very handsome white
toilets. General Chalmers accompanied his
pretty daughter. who wore pink satin, trimmed
with point lace and flowers. Senator Dor
sey was with his handsome wife and her very
and Miss Waite and Miss BiSsell, Mrs and Miss
Harlan and Judge Field represented the Su-
pfeme Court. Of the Cabinet and their families
there were Secretary Evarts, Secretary and Miss
Schulz, the Postmaster General, Mrs. and Mis-
Key. the Attorney General and Miss DevenS.
The French minister calpe with his wife, who
was magnifcently dressed in garnet velvet and
White satin trimmed with point lace; ornaments.
many rare diamonds. The Italian minister and
his wife attended: she was very richly dressed
The Swedish minister was with his wife, who
ers. Nine. de Heger1nann, who was with her
husband, the Danish minister, was. as always.
faultlessly attired.- Nearly every member OF
the diplomatic corps now in the city came to
pay Their respects TO the dean of the corps and
MS wife, both of whom they greatly esteem.
Judge Macarthur uraccOmpanied his wife, whose
laceS and diamonds were noticeable even where
so many were seen. Representative Kmme
OF Maryland, was with his wife, who wore a
very elegant toilet OF pearl colored silk COM
blned with wine colored velvet trimmed with
valenciennes lace. Their friend, Miss Wash
1ngton, OF Baltimore, wore beautiful blue
crepe de chtne. Representative and Mrs. Car
Isle were with their guest, Miss Farran, who
wore white silk draped with tulle and garlanded
with flowers. Representative Albert Willis ac-
cOmpanied his wife and Miss Fullerton or Chill
hcothe. Both ladies wore elegant white toilets.
Hon. Ben Willis was with his beautiful wife.
who was becomingly dressedin in blue. Senator
Morrill, accompanied Miss Swami, who was as
always very richly dressed Senator and Mrs.
Bailey, Senator and Mrs. David Davis. Senators
and Mrs. Lester doth these ladies were very
handsomely dressed, senator and Mrs. Spencer.
speaker and Mrs Randall Gen. Banks, Repre-
sentative and Mrs. Bridges. General Butler,
Hon. Mr.. and Mrs. Chittenden Hon. Mr.. and
Mrs. Claliin and Miss Davenport, Representa-
tive and Mrs. Dcering, Hon. MI. Dwight and his
daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Fort Representative
lynde and his Wife, General Hooker, Mr.. and
Mrs. Leopold Morse, Mr.. and Mrs Singleton.
Representatives and Mrs. Turner. were among
the other Congressional families present. sur
geon General Woodward was with his wife.
who wore most becoming lavender silk.
trimmed with white lace. Commissioner
Phelps accompanied his wife and daughter
General WatmOuth and many other represent
at1yes OF the West End" circle were present.
Mrs. :. '. Miles, who was with her husband
were superb brOcaded satin. MIS- MOntgOm-
cry with handsome black toilet wore superb
necklace OF solitaire diamonds. Miss Mont
go1nefy was very handsomely dressed. as also
was Miss Bruen who was accompanied by her
1atber The supper, which was spread in the
spacious dinlng-room. was a superb banquet.
consisting OF every delicious edible in season
ana an abundance OF champagne
Nearly all the Congressional families men,
tiohed, as well as many Others, also attended
ihe pound party at the Riggs House for the
cement OF the WOmen'S Christian Association
IL was very handsome affair and many pener
Gus donations were made
IL Is expected that Secretary Thompson Will
favor the company at the King reunion to-mor-
row night with dissertation on the '.Forma-
ton Of Character