Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-26
SOCIETY NOTES.

AGAIN last evening q very large number OF
ladies and gentlemen called upon Mrs. Gariieli,
who was receiving in the Red Parlor. assisted
by Mrs. Sheldon and Miss Mason. Secretary
and Mrs. HUNT and Mrs. Blaine also aided her
part Of the evening. Apparently many are
under the impression that these receptions
are meant to be as public as the Presidents
levees have always been. This was not III
tended when Mrs. Garfield decided that for
time she would be found at home by visitor on
Tuesday and Friday evenings. She simply
desired to see visitors informally on those even
lngs, designating two, to give herself some time
to devote 70 her FAMILY On other evenings, In
spite OF her long residence In Washington. Mrs.
Garfield has until her husband became Presi-
dent, led by reason of her own preferences, a
comPaistiyely secluded IRE, devoting her time
to her family and TO books. Naturally 10 lady
with such tastes, and one VINO OF course feels
that her first duty Is to her children, a life
wholly given up TO constantly receiving Visit,
tors must become very Wearisome. and would
IN time affect her health. How TO do her Sher
towards making the White House agreeable 10
these In the habit OF going there, which she Is
evidently very anxious to DO, and yer neither
give up every evening to visitors. Or have aps1-
luteiy public receptions tWice week Is Co.
ViOusiy question which must be c0nsdarei ir
our Presidents wife Is not to wear herself out IN
her auitable endeayor to give pleasure to Others.
Tbele were at least two hundred persons who
called upon Mrs. Garfield last evening. All the
parlofs and conseryat0rieS were open an
HSllttu, ol-O LuC flSiIDlS. WIN were CUuFsC
too numerous to remain In the parlor where Mrs.
Garfield was, dispersed through all the rooms.
While many In Official life, some army ami
navy officers with their families, and other
residents called, the company was very largely
made up OF strangers. Who were delighted to
have this opportunity OF seeing the Presidents
wife, and looking at the White House when
lighted. Mrs. Garfield was very glad to confer
this pleasure, but OF course for the reasons
given above cannot be expected to continue to
nave Such large receptions every week. There
nay nave Lot been any evening receptions given at
been as numerously attended as the two Mrs
Garfield has bad this week, except the formal
ones held by Presidents on stated occasions;
Ton for some time are aware, 1t has been Gus
tomary, since soon after Gen. Grant became
President, to have only four Of these "leveeS"
per year,-tWo In January and two in Feb
Ex-senator and Mrs. Thurman called last
evening to bid adteu to Mrs. Garfield, and re-
mained long chatting with their other friends
for New York, and Will spend week there
With their daughters. They will sail on Tues
day, April 9Th, for Europe, but do not expect to
Evarts has now decided to take two OF his
daughters, Misses Bette and Louise, with him
to Paris, and Mr.. Perkins, who is betrouhei to
miss Bette, viii be her fathers private secre;
tary.-Attorney-G General MacVeagh has leased
ex-Attorney General Williams house, on
khode Island avenue. with the privilege OF
Duy1ng 1t II he desires to do so.-MIss Amalia
and Miss Katie Basttanelt, of New York, nieces
OF Mrs. DR.. Wallis. are at the McPhersonHouse,
and were admired guests at the entertainment
OF DR.. and Mrs. Wallis last Thursday evening
Tile matrimonial engagement OF Miss
Addie Slack and Mr.. Perrine, OF New Jersey, is
announced.-Colonela and Mrs. Bonaparte gave
very handsome dinner party last evening"
The Literary Society meets this evening aI the
residence of Prof. Alexander Graham Bell, 1902
Connecticut avenue, and the Shakespeare Club
at the residence of Mr. Plling.-Mrs. Morrell
will receive at her rooms, In Corcoran Building
on Monday evening, and Mrs. NJ. d. Lincoln at
her residence, 6l5 II street, next Tuesday
evening.