New-York tribune., 1879-02-26
A BRILLIANT RECEPTION.
DlIIlI4I IIDt''
THE WHITE HOUSE FLOODED WITH GUFsrs-A COM
PrNiENT 10 TIE rIPLoMAnC CORPS.

TELEGRAPH To THE TRlBJNEl
WASUINGTOy, Feb. 2J.-The entertainment at
the Executive Mansion this evening in
honor of the Diplomatic Corps was fit
ting recognition of their hospitality during
the season just closed and was a unique and bril-
liant affair. 1t is called by old retainers of the
White House one OF the greatest social successes
ever known there. Eight hundred and fifty
invitations were issued, aud there were fully
that number N people III attendance. Ihe
arrangements were 80 perfect and the accom-
modatious so ample that there was no apparent
jam. The upper well as the entire lower hoor
was thrown open 10 guests.
The decorations were elaborate and beautiful.
The portrait of President Lincoln in the inner yes
tibulc was surrounded by the National colors and
flty-scyen American flags and banners the only
ones employed, We're used IN the entire dTapery ot
the walls. lhe Marine Band was stationed III tue
north yo-t.bule. Ia the East Parior, where the
President and Mrs IIayes received their guests,
the mautol5 were tlckly banked with azaleas and
cameliias Mrs. Hayes gave her personal super
vision during tho day TO the adornments.
Alrs Hayes wore % white crepe de ch.ue richly en-
brodcled and trimmed with fringe. Colonel Casey
and Mr.. Webb Hayes made the presentations. The
Diplomatic Corps in full IrgdliI were present.
Their carriages approached the Mansion through
the south portco % -eparate them from the crush.
Their entrance into tic East Paror in body at s:l5
p. m. headed b, Sir Edward Thornton, wearing the
red ribbon of the Bath, was fine pageant : nor
Zamacona of Mexico, and his suite. representing
as they do an American Republic, wore the ordinary
dress Of citizens. The Chinese Minister and his
attendants wore native costumes with the peacock
feather and the vcunillJn button adorning their
caps The rose of Brazil and the lilies of France
were conspicuous IN the pageant, as also the sor-
geous uniforms Of tie Austrian, Russian. Turkish
and other legations. The wife Of the French Minis
ter, robed cyquistey in white, looked the emblem
attic Iily Of her adopted land. All the ladies Of
diplomatic families were richly 2ttlrod.
The Last parlor during the presentation Of guests
was a magnificent scene. Cabinet Secretaries dis-
tinguI>hed officers Of the Army and Navy, Justices
of the Supreme Court aud scores Of prominent Sem
ators and Members, accompanied by elegantly at
tired ladies, were grouped around the central hg-
ures e the occasion.
In the State diuing-room a sumptuOus collation.
was set Coffee. chocolate and lemonade were
served abundanty, but wines. This a
pleasant feature even 20 many vino partake of wine
when offered and Mrs. Hayes received warm
enconiums for standing by her principles. Speaker
Randall whose Temperance views well known,
remarked 10 her with gallant bnntness:
like your pluck IN this natter The ornaments
of the suppcrtablc were The usual oval crystal lake
baskets of flowers were placed. The central figure
VAS haze balloon of red and white azaleas. The
el les and ices took the forms Of birds hoTers and
beasts
In the parlors between the East Room and the
diuing-rOOm groups Oi guests were clustered during
the evening. and the conservatory also claimed It's
share Of attention. George Bancroft gave his arm
TO Mrs Hayes for a promenade, the President cs
cnrtng Mrs Mckinley, Of ONO. Prominent
military and naval oii ,ers present were Generals
Hunter Hoffman, u3Ines. Miles, Wright. Meigs,
Buck H3yeu Poe. HciutZlomdn, McCOOk, GIbbon,
Brice Slckles Bcuet, Babc0ck, MacFccly, Graham,
Palmer Surgcon-t ieuciaI Crane, Adjutant-icneral
Townsend and Colonies AudrnrIed and Bacon,
Animals AIuuuu and Wordcn, Commodore
Carter, Captain Franklin and many more.
These gentlemen appeared in full uniform.
Invitations were issued 20 30 army officers below
the rank Of colonel and 20 naval officers below that
of captain. The supreme Conrt Was rep
resented by Chief Justice Waite, Asoo-
c!ate Jnstlccs SWayue, Strong and Brad
lev: the District Brnci. by Judge
and Mrs. NacArthur the Cabinet by Secrrtare-
Evarts, Sherman, SchuIZ and thompson and the
PostmastCr-trcueral and The AttOucy-GeneraI As
.i,tant-So .rrtlrirs Seward and Boil, Assistant
Attorney tcucrdl Marble and Assistant Pos master
General Iyucr. Marshal Frederick Douglas, sur
g4op-GenCral WoodWortu " the Marine Hospital
service and nearly al! the higher civil Officers were
present.
nudge vucat. Holt, Marshal John G.. Nicolay and
Peer Parker The many clcFaut vom"n present
would make a portrait gailerv bY themselves.