The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-01-11
AGsL.i DAY.


WASHINGTON, January g. The
rattle of horses hoofs on the COM
pact asphalt pavements. crack Of
the coachman's whip, and the con-
slant stream of people pouring IN
and out of fashionable West bad
mansions. and more modest dwell
incs to-day, gave evidence of gen.
eral observance of New Years. The
wealth was bright and just cold
enough to tingle kid gloved fingers
and give a healthy glow TO every
cheek; and great crowds of callers
in vehicles and on foot were astlr
early, and put in some active work
during the day. OF course, the great
event of the day was the public re-
ception by President Arthur at the
White House. 1t was brilliant
event. and more largely attended
than any similar reception for many
wears. II was characterized by q
marked absence of fornality. and
the easy, graceful manner OF The
Chief Ruler of the Nation was vel
coined by the masses as a good
omen. There were but three Cabl-
net receptions, but they were con-
Quoted in elegant style. and some oi
the other receptions of less distln-
ruished officials and Of private clti-
sens were events of high order Of
magnifcence. To a great extent
however. receptions among first
families in the city decreased, as
csmpared with former years, and at
prominent mansions to-day, where
formerly the beauty and fashion
were wont to gather, calls were re.
ceived only by card. the emblamatic
basket, meaning mot receiving" be
ing observed on many door bells.
There was less intoxication and
less disorder on the streets, and,
taken altogether, the day passed
merrily amid good feeling and good
cheer. and will be marked as one oi
the happiest known in Washington
for decade.
Attention was directed to the Ex-
ecutive Mansion early in the day.
Long before the great doors at the
main entrance were opened for the
onslaught of callers, crowd OF peo.
ple nassed themselves in the street
along the railing enclosing the
grounds. A strong detail Of police
was on hand to preserve order, and
at IL o'clock, when the first carriage
drove into the grounds, the scene
was intensely interesting. The eager
thronc craned their necks and press
ed each other closely to catch q
glimpse of the costly attired inmates
of the handsome carriages as they
drove in quick succession into the
grounds. and now and then when
some prominent parsonage was re-
cognized a murmer would run
through the crowd. 1t was the same
crowd, but with probably different
feelings, as that which pressed around
the White House gates a few months
ago. Then it was to learn the fate
of beloved President who lay suf-
fering in the stately mansion not far
away. One after another the car
riages rolled in, and after depositing
their occupants on the portico, drove
on through the arch and fell into
the crescent along the front of the
grounds, the horses heads turned
toward the mansion. This crescent
of polished vehicles flashing in the
sunlight, the richly caparisoned
horses and Everied coachmen and
footmen was a rare sight, and wor-
thy Of an artists pencil. Within
the mansion an animated scene pre-
vailed from the arrival of the first to
the departure of the last guest.
Everywhere ushers in black broad
cloth and white gloves were actively
engaged. Ladies were constantly
going up and down the grand stair
case, and people with all sorts of
duties to perform were in motion.
The vestibule, outer room, and
various parlors were redolent with
the fragrance of flowers. In every
nook and corner growing plants
were seen; but gay coloring and
elaborate display, in the matter of
decoration were dispensed with out
of respect to the memory of the late
President Garfield. The Marine
Band was in attendance, as usual.
and enlirened the crowd with the
choicest musical selections. At sharp
IL o'clock Hail to the Chiefi'
shook the building from foundation
to roof, and, as the notes vibrated
through the corridors, President Ar
thur, leaning on the arm of Mr.. Sc
wilton A. Brown, chief clerk of the
Department of State, descended the
grand staircase and entered the Blue
Parlor, where the ladies who were to
assist had preceded them. The
President wore a morning dress, a
full suit of black, with lilac necktie.
His coat was OF the Prince Albert
cut, and his gloves matched his tie
in color.
His little daughter. who was
standing near Mrs. Congressman
Robson, ran forward and held up
her mouth for kiss, which ths
President gave with smile, and the
little miss, who was dressed in sim
pic white, returned to her chaperon.
Secretary Frelinghuysen stood near
the main door or the apartment,
awaiting the signal for the reception
to begin, and the ladies to assist
stood around the President, at whose
right hand was Mr.. Sevillion Brown,
the master of ceremonies for the day.
The gas was not lighted in any of
the parlors or corridors, but the cur
tains were so arranged as to make a
semi-twilight, as the bright sunlight
streamed in.
THE LADIES TOILETS.
The ladies surrounding the Presi-
dent were Mrs. Frelinghuysen, who
wore black satin and brocade: the
wife of Attorney General Brewster
stood next she wore dark wine-
solored velvet. with collar and ruff
files to the elbow; sleeves of antique
lace. Mrs. Lincoln, wife Of the Sec
retary of War, was next; she wore
black Spanish lace, open on the
sides and front showipo q rich nm