The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-02-14

Our Washington Letter.

Jul W asOAAAIA6VVhA AlOVVVAEss
A Reception at the White House Splen-
did Masculine Toilsttss Tariff Topics
and Congressional Notes The Grant
Boom -Irsland's Famine.
WASHINGTON. D. G.. Feb. Z, 1850.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Last Friday was held the next to
last Presidential reception Of the sea-
son, and, thinking you might care to
hear it described, betook myself
thitl,er ut half past eight o'clock. The
gas-lit carriage way semi-circle in
front Of the White House was full Of
vehicles Of various sizes, styles and
heraldic inscription, but al confined
to one or two horse power. A ma
jority Of tile callers, male and female,
came afoot. In the brilliantly lighted
ante chamber the red .cOated Marine
Band were playing such enchanting
dance music that some impressionable
ladies seemed unable to walk straight,
and entered the cloak room IN half
waltz. In the cloak room we removed
our hats and OvercOats, wbicli were
placed in large numbered pigeon
hole, and check bearing the CORES
ponding number handed us. After
carefully admiring a large mirror, We
were ready to swarm up and be pre-
sented. Through large open door
we could see the President and Mrs.
Hayes industrious!y sniling and shak-
ing hands. PronoHncing our names
to Mr.. Webb Hayes, who stands on
the left of his father and nearest the
door, he conveys the sound to the
President, who shakes hands in an
urbane, business-like way, calling the
name of each visitor. The presenta-
tions to Mrs. Hayes, who wasstanding
two steps to the right, were made by
Colonel Casey 10 the same manner.
The next step was to meve on and
join the great throng that had already
shaken and passed into the East
Room. Here rybody was promen-
aiding, talking with her acquaintances,
flirting in digniied way, or admiring
the dresses of the dressy the styles of
the stylish, and the airs Of the airish.
On this occasion group Of Ute Iu-
dian Chiefs who had come to the re-
ception in their moccasins, beads, and
many colored blankets were the chief
attraction, and their immobile, smile
less, melancholy facts presented a
strange contrast with the gay and
brilliant tlrong that surrounded them.
The General Of the Army was present
10 uniform, as usual, attentive to the
ladies', some of whom he introduced
to the indians. Among the distin
guished persons present were the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
tle Speaker Of the House, ind SEN
ator Edmunds. Of the undistinguished
persons present were members Of Con-
gress, foreign ministers, reporters,
Army and Navy officers, government
clerks, ready made clothes merchants,
aud United States Senators. / will
not attempt to tell what all the gem
tlemen had on; there were too many
of them and too great variety ol
costume. I observed that tailor
from 9TH Street wore an elegant frOck
coat, cut emi-train with extensively
padded shoulders, paDtalooDs fared
at the bottom, and dark dollar kid
gloves. A tall elegant beau from the
P. O. DepartmeDt-salary 1920 a
year-was much admired in short
greyish habit, cut straight IN terguD,
pantaloons fitting closely over the
hips, and coifure arranged u la Hee.
nan. The Judge of the Police Court
a pronounced blonde, appeared il
white gloves aud cravat, black swal
low tail coat, and paDtaloons to match
with metallic ornaments. / mention
these, not that they were more els
gantly dressed than most members o
Congress and attaches Of legation
but because their costumes may bl
taken as types Of styles, and furnish
a guide to the brother Of Miss Flor.
Mcl'limsy, who may come to Wash
ipgton not quite knowing what t,
wear when he presents himself at th'
American Court. While the whit.
neck tie and swallow tail coat, will
black trowsers is the costume de riqeu
for receptions, no gentleman nee'
feel conspicuousIy out Of place in
frock coat.
The embers Of the Garcelon con
spiracy having died out, Senate
Blaine and family have taken uf thei
winter quarters in their old home j
this city. Mrs. Blaine held her frs
reception yesterday. She was assiste
by Miss Dodge (Gail Hamilton) an
her daughter Miss Blaine, who is
debutaate this winter. After the Sen
ate adjourned Mr.. Blaine Joined til