The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-04-01
" ASIiINGTON.
PRESIDENT ARTRUR'S FIRST RECGF TON
Crushing DenoHstrato"- White House
TArolged-Fioral Decorations b .st.n uis.ed
Costumes.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.-PreSidenL
Arthur ) INST reception this evening re
solved itself into Il popular administration
in which ali the scenes and incidents of Il
New Year : Day crush came to one like
an old familiar play. Long before the
hour appointed Tor the commencement oi
she levrr the outer p"Itlc"es became
,rusrl, picked With we'll dIe>Srst huin.,,i-
,tN. :,thr"il. thai never Ceased moving up
the walks until 10 % clock, the time w.,en
me /, crpilon closed.
Invited guests the ladies ard gentle
tnrn who partici, ,atcd III the reception.
and members ri the diplomatic corps
sined an entrance to tbs mdn>lcn
Through the windows opening OH the
southern front by Il temporary stairway.
The interior of the house, seen to the
majority OF the guests i'll its new dress
ing ior the first time, never looked to
better effect. The main corridor WAS
tastetullv decorated with tropical plants
and ferns. Each of the inches WAS filled
with handsome jars holding tall plants,
and each of the setteeS placed along the
long hall looked embowered i'll the :,ar
rounding foliage. The end OF the curii
DORIS nearing the conServatorie>, was eS-
pecially decorated. The brilliant c"lor>
IT the carpet contraSted with the white
blDSSomed bushes UrnameLtluS the tables
and stairs.
The Conservatives were lighted but
were not open to the public. The site
dining room was used as Il cloak room for
ladies'. Adjoining this room. Ill the red
parlor. the ladies joined their escorts and
proceeded into the blue parlur. where the
receiving party stood. The floral decora
tinnS of the blue parlor were simple. but
artistic The mantels held potled plants
aud against the central windows We're
grouped Il mass OF white azalla trees.
The other windows and hearths were nil
in with son,c towers in crimson and pink
blossoms.
The centre of attraction in the green
parlor were the picture OF Mrs. Hayes
resting against the wall. and the silver
boat with its burden OF sweet odnrS and
pretty flowers. Owing to the Gee VII eX
pected, the space in the east room was
not taken up v it'll unnecessary floral dis
play. The manteis were tasteiully adurr-
ed with flowers. and against the curtain
draperes very effective ps ramids OF palms
and ferns were placed.
The President wore Il full suit of black,
with low cut vest and white gloves. The
IntroductionS were made by Col. Rock
we'll the President accompanying the
perfect pronunciation of each name with
a smile and il hearty shake hands. In
the earlier part of the reception Mrs.
Frelny huySen stood next the President
but when Mrs. Grant arrived she resign
ed that position to the President = guest.
Mrs. Grant Wore Il white satin dress. with
long square train. Two deep ttounceS oi
point lace formed the front draping,
beaded with pa>sementerleH. the cut
cut waist wis outlined with ru'
h,,s of point aud the neck hlled III with
unlIe The diamond roses giittered iii
h,r hair. with c"ronet OF diamonds, the
design being tiny hur>esaues linked. She
also wore earrings aud brooch OF dla-
monds and pearl necklacr OF many strands
caught with a diamond buckle. On her
ri. lat arm was :. gold bracelet. curiouSl,
carved, over three inches III depth, and
on the left were a half d"zen gold bangle
bracelets. She We're no flowers, and car
,ied fan of black feathers. Mrs. Grants
manner was exceedingly pleasant, and
she WAS kept busy ackmowled. ing all her
Did friends as they passed.
Among others present were Gen. Grant
secretaries rleIhShuH Nth Ilhcoi" anu
HUNT. Attorney General Brewster, Chief
Justices Matthews and Hunt. Gen. Beali.
t"i. James q. Be.rett. Mr. and Mrs Ban
croft Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Fish. Col.
Fred Grant. Commissioner Dent, aud Mr.
Scovile. who attracted great attention
.,tn.,. = these " hn knew hlm.
When til" hour tor cl,>ln. the recep
non arrived tnele were hundreds still GA
the outside of the mansion. who were
compelled To retlace their steps without
gaming admission. The crowds We're ST.
great that severa ladies' tainted III the
rooms.
The usual large force of policemen were
nn hand. but We're unable to keep the en-
frances and exit from closing up at times.
Bv eleven y clock nearly all had depart
ed.