The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-26
Farewell 10 Hayes-IIis Last Presi-
Dental Reception.

ppuJJANT SCENES At THE WHITE HOUSE
OVER A THOUSAND GUESTS AND PERFECT
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FEATURES-A NIGHT
or DIUE AND GOLD-SOME OF THE TOILETS.
Especial dispatch to The Philadelphia Times.l
WASHINGTON, February 2i.-Tbe final
Grand presidential reception took place
AT the White House tonight, and for ectdt
ana briIlancy it exceeded anything OF Il
social nature at the Executive Mansion
during this Administration. While il was
esnecially DESIGNATED rs a reception ten
dered the foreign ambassadors, to the
home people about five hundred IN
yitarions were issued. Besides the for
elm legations, therefore, there were IN at
tendance between twelve and ifteen nun
bred quests, comprising Government ON.
cia> Ct rank. military and naval officers OF
rank, the Supreme Court, the Cahlnel, Srha-
tors and Representatives, and the etde OF
Washington society. The result was per-
feet crush. From o'ciack until 10 Il steady
stream OF guests poured in upon the frtsl'
dent and Mrs. Hayes a closely packed As
they could well follow upon each other.
The reception was announced Tor O'Clock.
At that hour the members OF the Cabinet
and Supreme Court, together with Tue entlrc
DIpomatic Corps, were assembled Ill the
antf room at the head OF the rear
staircase. Separated from them bya Gordon
of red. white, and blue ribbon stood the
early guests, four ranks deep, reaching from
The office stairway to the further end OF the
mansion. The DlplOmstic Corps were IN iuil
uniform, ricr with velvet and satin ana gold
embroidery, aud on every foreign breast
rlttcred the insignia Of rank and Of various
distinguished orders. There were ieweIled
swords, stars of gold, crosses OF precious
stones, and ribbons won liz court ana on the
battle field, flashing upon the daZzled eyes
OF the beauty OF our American courl. Al
a given signal the guests formed III pairs
and fours and poured down the family starr
ease. Tie siken barrier which divided the
other guests from these representatives oil
ROYALTY were swept aside and the whole
REGAL procession marched toward the East
| room.
Here stood President Hayes, directly OPP
nosite the entrance. On the left was his
Young son Rutherford. acting rs master oil
ceremonies, and on his right were Vice Pre'
sident Wheeler and Colonel Casey. The
| latter introduced the guests to Mrs. Hayes,
on his immediate right, who was IN turn
supported by Mrs. Eyarts. The gentlemen
wore the conventional dress OF the Amefl'
can hotel waiter.
Mrs. Hayes wa. attired 10 plain pearl
colored satin deliberately trimmed with white
beads. Her hair was dressed as usual, low
on the forehead, and was surmounted VIII
delicate gold comb. Mrs. Eyarls wore
white satin and diamonds.
| As the Diplomatic Corps tled past tney
ranged themselves about the Executive
party, together with the Cabinet and mem
bers Of the Supreme Court and other promi
nent personages. For few moments the
most distinguished persons OF the capita
were gathered together in knot abou
thirty feet square. Then they separated
chatting with their ladies and other friends
and watching the steady flow OF the incom
Ing crowd.
The most conspicuous feature OF the re
ception other than the many magnihcen
feminine toilets was the Government uni
form. 1t was night OF blue and gold
The army aud navy appeared to be concen
trated here in Washington with view u
this particular occasion. One half the gen
tlemen wore uniforms that contrasted will
the rich white costumes OF their ladies. j