The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-02-11
Letter


\ WHITE HOUSE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ToILETTEs OF THE GENTLEMEN-sAvA-
GEs AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED PER
soNAGEs PRESENT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., February 5, 1880.
To the Editor of the aIorristown Gazette:
Last Friday was held the next to last
Presidential reception of the season, and,
thinking you might care to hear it des-
cribed, l betook myself thither at 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 all confined to one or two horse
power. There was less display of livery
than you would see on half that number
of carriages in Europe, but still there
was enough. Some of the drivers made
no further ostentation than close but
toned overcoat and silk hat. A MAORI
ty of the callers, male aud 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, which were placed in
| large numbered pigeon-hole, and check
bearing the corresponding number hand
ed us. After carefully admiring large
mirror, we were ready to swarm up and
be presented Through a large open
door we could see the President and
Mrs. Hayes industriously smiling and
shaking hands. Pronouncing 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 visl-
tor. The presentations to Mrs. Hayes,
who was standing two steps to the right,
were made by Colonel Casey in the
same manner The next step was to
move on and join the great throng that
had already shaken and passed into the
East Room. Here every body was pro-
menading, talking with her acquaintan-
ces, flirting in dignifed way, or adj
miring the dresses of the dressy, the
STYLES of the stylish, and the airs of the
airish.
On this occasion group of Ute Inolan
Chiefs who had come to the reception
ia their moccasins, beads, and many
colored blankets were the chief attrac-
ton. and their immobile, smileless, mel
ancholy faces presented a strange con
trast with the gay and brilliant throng
that surrounded them. The General of
| the Army was present in uniform, as
usual, attentive to the ladies, some OF
whom he introduced to the Indians.
Among the distinguished persons pres
ent were the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court, the Speaker of the House,
and Senator Edmunds. Of the undlsz
tinguished persons present were mem
! bers of Congress, foreign ministers, re-
porters, Army and Navy officers, gov
eminent clerks, ready made clothes mer'
chants, and United States Senators.
will not attempt to tell what all the gen
tlemen had on; there were too many OF
them and too great a variety Of costume.
I observed that tailor from 7th street
wore an elegant frock coat, cut demi
train with extensively padded shoulders,
pantalOons fared at the bottom, and
dark dollar kid gloves. Mr.. --,
tall elegant beau from the P. o. De
partment, salary $1,000 a year, was
much admired in a short greyish habit,
cut straight in tergeIna, pantaloOns fitting
| closely ever the hips, and couture ar
ranged a la Heenan. The Judge of the
Police Court, pronounced blonde, ap-
peared in white gloves and oraVati black
swallow tail coat, and pantaloons to
match, with metallic ornaments.
mention these, not that they were more
elegantly dressed than most members of
Congress and attaches of legation, but
because their costumes may be taken as
! types of styles, ana furnish guide to
the brother of Miss Flora McFlimsy,
who may come to Washington not quite
knowing what to wear when he presents
himself at the American Court. While
the white neck tie and swallow tail coat,
with black trowseFs, is the cogtugPe dH
rtgeur for receptions, no gentleman need
feel conspicuously out Of place in frock
coat.