The National tribune., 1882-04-01
GEN. ARTHUR'S GUESTS.
THE PRESIDENTS FIRST PUBLIC RE-
cEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Notably Brilliant Arair-HOnOrs to ex-President
Grant-Duncrs and Entertainments by Menu
bers of the Cabinet-other Society Notes.

Although the Lenten period has not yet
closed, and the faithful are supposed to be in
> penitential mood, and figuratively, at least,
clothed in sacScloth and ashes, yet thus far
the season at the National Capital has been
one OF exceptional brilliancy Since the ar
rival of General and Mrs. Grant, as the Pres
ident's guests, there has been many notably
brilliant entertainments. On Tuesday even
ing President Arthur gave his first public
reception at the White House, which was
thronged with the wealth, beauty, and fash
ion of Washington. The throng was made
up of diplomatic, civil, and military digni-
taries, congressman, private citizens, and
strangers soiOurning in the city. Invited
guests, the ladies and gentleme who par
ticipated in the reception, and members Of
the diplomatic corps gained an entrance to
the mansion through the windows opening
on the southern front by temporary stair
way. The interior Of the house, seen to the
majority of the guests in its new dressing
for the first time, never appeared to better
effect The main corridor was tastofully
decorated with tropical plants and ferns.
Each of the inches was filled with handsome
jars holding tall plants, and each Of the set
tees placed along the long hall looked en-
lowered in the surrounding foliage. The
end Of the corridors. nearing the Conserva-
tories, were especially decorated. The bril-
liant colors of the carpet contrasted with the
white blossomed bushes ornamenting the
tables and stairs.
The conservatories were lighted but were
not opened to the public. The State dining
room was used as cloak room for ladies'
Adjoining this room, in the red parior, the
ladies joined their escorts and proceeded
into the blue parlor, where the receiving
party stood. The floral decorations Of the
blue parlOr were simple, but artistic. The
mantles held potted plants, and against the
central windows were grouped a mass of
white azalia trees The other windows and
hearths were filed in with some flowers i'll
crimson and pink blossoms.
The centre of attraction in the green par
lor were the picture of Mrs. Hayes resting
against the wall, and the silver boat with its
burden of sweet odors and pretty flowers.
Owing to the crowd expected the space in
the east room was not taken up with I'M
necessary floral display. The mantels were
tastefully adorned with flowers, and against
the curtain draperies very effective pyra-
mids of palms and ferns were placed.
THE TOILETS.
The President wore full suit Of black,
with low-cut vest and white gloves. The
introductions were made by Colonel Rock
well, the President accompanying the pro-
nunciation of each name with q smile and a
hearty shake hands. In the earlier part of
the reception Mrs Frelinghuysen stood next
the President but when Mrs. Grant arrived
she resigned that position to the Presidents
guest Mrs Grant wore white satin dress,
with long square train. Two deep hounces
of point lace formed the front dTaping,
beaded with passementeries. The low-cut
waist was outlined with ruffies Of point
and the neck filed in with tulle. The
diamond roses glittered in her hair, with
coronet of diamonds, the design being
tiny horseshoes linked. She also wore
earrings and brooch OF diamonds and pearls,
with a pearl necklace of many strands,
caught with diamond buckle On her
right arm was gold bracelet curiously
carved, over three inches in depth, and on
the left were half dozen gold-bangle brace
lets. She wore No flowers and carried fan
of black feathers. Mrs Grants manner was
exceedingly pleasant, and she was kept
busy acknowledging all her old friends as
they passed.
Mrs. Frelinghuysen, who stood next, wore
handsome black moire antique trimmed
with thread lace. In her hair she wore a
white satin bead-dress. Next to the ladies
stood the following, in the order named
Mrs. Secretary Hunt who wore mourning
costume of black Henrietta cloth, gracefully
made, and a corsage bouquet Of white came
lias and foliage; Mr.. Senator Mcpherson,
dead-white satin, the front elabOrately gar
nished with crystal bead en6roideries long
court train of satin. edged by various plait
icgs; Mrs. Senator Cameron, cream white
satin brocade, trimmed handsomely in pearl
passementaries-she also wore many hand
some stones and most becoming floral garni-
ture; Mrs. Senator Hale black velvet court
train over a wide black and white stripe
petticoat, neck cut V shape and filled in with
rare lace; Mrs Craig WadsW Orth, of New
York, heliotrCpe velvet, with court train Of
mauve satin merveilleux; Mrs. John Davis,
white brocaded court train, with front and
sleeves of pearl-beaded Spanish lace, neck
cut square, and filled i'll with ruflies of
Spanish lace and diamond necklace.
NOTABLES PRESENT
Most of the gentlemen Of the diplomatic
corps were present. Among those in attend
ance were the Portuguese minister, the Chi
nese minister and other members Of that
embassy, and the japanese minister
Madame Preston, the wife Of the Haytien
minister, wore n cream-tinted silk, com
bined with moire antique, and trimmed
with oriental lace The waist and entire
front were ornamented with handsome roses.
Miss Preston wore a white satin-striped
grenadine, with long puffed train The
waist had high overlapping collar,
on which were embroidered bouquets Of
daisies. The same effect was repeated On
the broad upturned cuffs; giIded acorns
edged the basque. Mrs. Commissioner
Loring wore, over pink silk, white muslin
and l.ro