New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-11
THE DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION.

A MAGNIFICENT E@NENOii'A
MANSION THRoNGED - LAVISH DECoRAIloNs
AND A GORGEOUS PAGEANT
IsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l
WAsuINGrox. Feb. 1O.-Thc reception to the Di-
plomatic Corps given at the Executive Mansion
this evening. gracefully crowns social season
remarkable for its breyity and brlliancy
The President and Mrs. Hayes had formidable
nreeedent TO surpass in excellng the reception given
nv them on the corresponding evening of last year.
but the difficult feat was accomplished. lie
preparations were ON the most extensive scale that
the resources of the mansion permit. The MAN
floor and the floor above. except the CABINET hoom'
were thrown open TO the guests.
The north front of the building was brilliantly
illuminated, and OH entering the main door, hghU
and music and the perfume of flowers made an eX-
b;larating atmosphere The great chandeliers IN
the yestibules and East Pdrlor were in full blaze
and in the Red, Blue and Green Parlors and the
State Diningroom innumerable wax candles soft
ened and supplemented the central light.
The apartments were decorated with flags and
flowers in the most lavish taste. From the ceiling
of the vestibule foreign flags depended interspersed
with pennants from our own Navy.
The portrait Of President Jackson over the door
leading from the vestibue into the Blue Parlor was
adorned with the National colors and over the
door at the end of the vestibule, leading into the
East Parlor, hung the portrait Of General Thomas
wreathed with evergreen. In the East Parlor the
central window facing this entrance was hidden in
flags and at its right hung the full-ength portrait
of Washington with arm extended as If pointing to
these flags. On the left hung Martha Washington,
also IN full-lepgth portrait These were fanked by
two large square mirrors above the mantels, which
were banked with azaleas and other fragrant
flowers. There are eight of these mirrors IN the
room, which reflected the gorgeous pageant.
DINING ROOM DECORATIONS
The State and private diningroOms both
open and the tables bountfully spread. The floral
decorations were particularly fine in each. The
State dining-table had the customary long plateau
in its centre and midway upon that nestled white
swan two feet in length, made of carnations and
everlastngs and reposng on a huge basket OF
iacaueminot roses. Forty bouquets adorned this
table. the roses In them chiefly jacquemlnots and
Marshal Neils. The other table had for Its centre
piece silver boat with sails spread filed with
flowers, also twenty exquisite bouquets of various
sizes adorned it. The confectionery represented
emb,ems of various countries. Lafayette in ice
cream stood for France The British lion
In n truly melting mood served up to sundry
sturdy Americans and there Swiss chateau
and other quaint devices.
No wine was served with the collation.. The wife
Of a Foreign Minister was heard to remark at the
table: "What an air of purity it gives to Mr..
Hayess parties this absence OF all that can into1l-
cate.n
BEAUTIFUL SPECTACLE.
Ats o'clock the Marine Baud played march. and
anrocesslop of guests formed in the upper hall and
proceeded to the East Parlor where the President
and Mrs Hayes stood in central position, sur
rounded by the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps.
The spectacle was beautiful In the extreme. In
the procession cleaned the uniforms OF Army
and Navy officers of high rank the diamonds
of fair women and costly satins and brocades
The DISTINGUISHED group in waiting to receive
them was gorgeous with the Court costumes OF all
civilized kingdoms of the earth, contrasting well
with the plain citizen dress OF our PRESIDENT and his
official counsellors in their midst.
The ladies Of the various legations were In full
evening DRESS and their white arms and necks
flashed with diamonds and emeralds. Lady Thorn
ton. tall and stately wore thick white satin, with
light draping of illusion over the neck and arms
Madame Outrey wife of the French Minister, was
beautiful in white satin and diamonds. and the
Baroness Blanc in white brocade with garniture of
mink. All the other ladies Of the Diplomatic Corps
were attired with peculiar taste and fitness.
Among the elegant costumes OF our own ladies'
that of Mrs. Hayes was white brocade, inter
wrought with threads Of gold. Mrs. John Jacob
Astor ir.. wore a fabulous wealth of diamonds on
hair and neck and corsage. and won from all lips
tbe name of The Diamond Queen" Mrs. Levi p.
Morton wore white satin, with low corsago and
arms hare and at her waist bunch OF jacqueminot
roses-a most becoming toilet. Mrs. ID. +. Eels. OF
Cleveland. wore superb diamonds, her necklace
being especially rich and beautiful.
SIMPLE REPUBLICAN TOILETS
The wives of many Senators and Representatives
were attired with magnificent richness and 1t was
eoually pleasant and thoroughly republican sight
10 see Others dressed in quiet, uunoticeabe toilets
receiving attentions just as distinguished and ell
loving themselves equally well.
The General of the Army and the Admiral Of the
Navy. with many of their associates of high rank,
were in attendance. also Bishop and Mrs. Simpson,
of the NJ e. Church, tarrying here on their return
rim from Florida. District Commissioner Morgan.
having lust recovered from an illness. was present
with Mrs Morgan and with Bishop and Mrs. Simp-
son. Mr.. and Mrs. Warner Miller. and Mr.. and Mrs.
Yunc Wing. the acting chief of the Chinese Lega-
ton and wife they formed pleasant accidental
The anartmenfs were full of brilliant and graceful
groups, drawn together by the subtle ahinites OF
the hour. -, ... - l..
entered the mansion by platform built out from a
window of the Red Parlor, thus avoiding the crush.
Marty a wear ago. and 1t was agreeable TO note
AMONG them the leading resident journalists repre-
senting at Washington the great papers Of the
country.
GENERAL PROMENADE.
After the collation. served there was very
general promenade, the President taking npon his
arm Mrs Astor, the Secretary OF State Mrs. Hayes,
the British Minister Mrs. Levi T. Morton, Mr. Nor
ton Lady Thornton. the Italian Minister Madame
Outrey and so on through the shining ranks OF the
leading guests. Secretary Schurz and his two fair
daughters, several Justices of the Supreme Court.
eminent senators AND cpresentatives-all with
accompanying ladics-were conspicuous in the pa
gcant. Among New-York Congressmen present
were Representatives IIiscock, Miller Ferd0n,
Ill. l.nl,o1 audot hora