The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-28
Secretary Blaine's Reception.

Thr entertainment given at Wormley's Hotel
Monday night by Secretary Blame in honor of
the. French and German guests, not only
eclips ed, says Washington correspondent,the
previous festive gatherings at which they have
been present, but was theimost sumptuous and
enjoyable evening party ever given at Wash
ington. The farewell ball given to Lord and
Lady Napier and the entertainment given by
the Spanish Minister, Senior de Mantilla, are
the only ones that can be compared with it.,
and neither equalsd it. The invitations, writ
tan on heavy linen note paper, read as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON.
The Secretary of State has the honor to request
your presence at WoTmleys on Monday "a, evening Oe
Germon guests of the United States. An early an
swer is desired.
October 21, 1881.
About five hundred Of these invitations were
issued to la creme dc Ia creme of Washington
society and delegation of Baltimoreans; and
upwards of four hundred acceptances were re-
ceigad.
Just before the hour designated the rain sud-
denly began to pour down in torrents, render
ing it necessary for many who had intended
walking to send for carriages, while others
waited, hoping that the shower would hold up.
This made the guests late in their arrival, but
meanwhile every precaution was taken to pre-
vent their getting wet on leaving their car
riages. A large awning was thrown out from
the III. street entrance to Wormley's and the
sidewalk beneath it was covered with carpet
while calcium lights on the opposite side OF the
street threw their strong light into this tempo
rary porch.
The reception was in the suite of three large
parlors at the right of the hall, which were
thrown into one by the removal of the folding
partitions. Much of the furniture in this suite
Of rooms was in the house Of Charles Sumner
whose portrait, with that of Sam Hooper, grace
the walls. The doors leading from the parlors
into the hall had been removed, and in their
places were curtains of gray damask, bordered
with cardinal red. The stars and stripes Were
conspicuously displayed, and there was a lavish
display of rare plants, variegated foliage and
vines. From the keystones of the arches that
divided the rooms were suspended floral globes
and the chandeliers were feStooned with gar
lands. In the hall was the fall Marine Band,
in evening dress with their string and reed in
strunentS, under the lead OF John +. Sousa.
They performed at intervals the following:
PROGRAMME.
March. yorktown Centennial. .Sousa
Selection Olivette" ......-....t--.. y. Audran
Cleopstra, Polka cornet solo performed by Mr.Wil-
liam Folger.
Potpourri ssChimes ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Planquet
Romance, 'sNon Ver r..................,...M .Matteo
Performed by Mons. 11ueaux.
Waltz, "The Plus Belle" --......... aldteuIul
Gavotte, ''Kaiser Stadt Morley
Caprice ssArmenian PATROL" ............ Michaelis
Galop, Turque".... ..............- Polak Daniels
A few moments before 10 o'clock Secretary
and Mrs. Blaine arrived and took their posi-
ton in tho outside parlor, near the entrance.
Mr.. Blaine was in excellent spirits, dis
playing that bonh0D.nie for which he is so
Justly famed Mrs. Blaine wore an evening
II 1a1 catt in wit a long
train, trimmed with lace and pearls.
An usher who knew every one, and who
could pronounce the names and give the rank
of the numerous foreigners, announced the
guests as they entered, in stentorian tones.
The French were the first to arrive followed
by the Germans, and after they had paid their
respects they were ranged next to Mr.. Blaine;
an the other guests as they arrived were also
presented to them. The French and German
officers wore their respective uniforms with
| their decorations of various orders of Knight
| hood, and the civilians were in full evening
| dress. many wearing decorations. Madame la
| Maruuise de Rochambeau wore an evening
| dress of royal purple MORE antique silk. trim
med with htliotrope plush and profusion OF
| rare lace.
The Diplomatic Corps was out in force and
| several of the foreign ministers were accom-
| panied by their wives. Madame Outrey, wife
| of the French Minister, wore white brocade
| with sweeping train, trimmed with lace, and
| a rare set of diamonds. Madame Bartholomew
/ wife of the Russian Minister, wore cour
/ dress of black satin brocade, trimmed with jet
1 and magnificent set of emeralds and dia
| monds.
| Baltimore was represented by bevy O
| bellies, including the Misses McTavish, Mis-
/ Rosa Steele Miss Fanny Whyte and the much
i complimented Miss O'Donnel, who wore 9
! crimson brocade ball dress, with long train.
/ The army was well represented, headed bl
| Gen. Sherman in his gala uniform, with its
| golden baldric, and there were admirals ant
commodores enough to man vessel. The
| foreigners were much interested in Admira
| Worden who commanded the Monitor in thu
| critical iror-clad fight.
| A quorum of the Senate was present, witt
| their burly President, David Davis, and ther
| were few Representatives, including Messrs
| KasSon and Hiscoek, the rival candidates 10
| the speakership. Senators Cameron, Bayard
| voorhees, and Butler were accompanied b.
4 their daughters. Chief Justice Waite ant
| nearly all of the associate Justices We're pres
4 emit, and also the members of the Cabinet
| with the exception of Attorney Genera
| MacVoagh, who, of course, stayed away
| The journalists invited, several of them ac
/ companied by their wives, showed that MI
4 Blaine never forgets his original calling
| Dir. Loring was accompanied by his wife
! who wore a most becoming dress OF white sal
| in There were also present Hen. Georg
| Bancroft, Gov Boutwell,, Gen. Schenck,
| T. Chandler, Nicolas Fish, Nj de Chambrun
| NJ. G.. Emery and other well-known residents
There has always been rivalry bstwee
| Wormley and the French caterers, bu
4 dav Monday night the American cuisine PIC
/ sented unrivalled attractions. A broad tabl
i extended the whole length of the dining room
| and it was laid with exquisite taste. The war
/ was tho finest Dresden china, much of tn
silver was gilded. and the glass was Of tn
newest patterns. A profusion OF roses in lo'
/ mounds set off these appointments to gres
advantage. AS for the menu, it comprise
terrapins, canvas-backs, saddles of mutto
and oysters, with all the recognized master
pieces of French culinary art. Even the youn
French and German officers. who had scowle
at each other as they had bowed salutafion
with formal politeness earlier in the evening
fraternized at the supper table. -,
After supper the younger people danced l
the parlors until a late, or rather an carr
hour, and every one left for their little be
with evident reluctance
The Cabinet Nolr.
| fr,ondOu SOciety.1