Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-01-04
WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR.

PRECEDENT ARTHUBs RECEPTION AT THE WHITE
HoUsE-oBsERvANoE IN NEW YORK AND AT
SOME OF THE EUROPEAN CAPITALS.
Washington despatch dated Tuesday
evening says; Washington has never seen q
more disagreeable New Years day than this
has been. A cold, drizzling rain prevailed
all day, and the state Of the atmosphere was
most depressing As a consequence, the call.
ing was very much lessened. The reception
at the executive mansion was, however, a
marked success, for II could hardly be other
wise. President Arthur who has done so
much for the decoration of the executive
mansion, took particular pains that it should
seem inviting TO- day. He had plants brought
in great profusion from the greenhouse, there
were great quantities Of fresh cut flowers in
the red and blue parlors, and the chandeliers
we're decorated with smiax. The President,
who wore morning dress, had invited a great
company of prominent ladies', or, rather, Ia.
dies whose husbands are prominent, to re-
oeive with him. The wife Of the speaker,
Mrs. Carlisle, was entitled by the official po-
sition Of her husband, to precedence among
the ladies', and it was she who was escorted
down from the library by Mr.. Arthur, leading
the way for the company of ladies, most OF
whom we're obliged to walk down without es-
corts Secretary Frelinghuysen escorted Mrs.
Frelinghuysen and the other members Of the
cabinet took their wives also.
The members Of the diplomatic corps in
the court dresses Of their respective countries
were first received and were introduced by
Secretary Frelinghuysen. For the first time
in many years they were headed by the off.
cial representative Of a republic on this side
Of the Atlsntic-Mr. Preston, the minister
from Hayti, who succeeded as dean Of the
corps Mr. Allen, who died in the White House
during the last New Year reception. The
dresses Of the ministers were Of velvet with
gold embroidery, while the women, almost
without exception, wore short gowns OF dark
velvet with bonnets and plumes to match.
The Marine baud played the national airs Of
the principal European countries as the for
eigu ministers passed through the blue room
into the east room, where they remained,
greeting and talking with other guests, until
noon. At that hour they took their leave and
went TO breakfast at the Secretary of States
house.
The justices Of the United States supreme
court and their wives were next received az
ter which Col Rock we'll and Marshal Nc.
Michael took places beside the President and
introduced to him large number Of senators
ane representatives. At ~ O'Clock the doors
leading into the main corridor were thrown
open and q line Of army aud navy officers filed
in. In the eAst-Toom the army and navy uni
forms showed 10 great advantage, and the
scene was a very brilliant one, AZ a number
Of the diplomatic representatives and many
handsomely dressed women were there still.
The assistant secretaries OF departments and
the chief Of bureaus were next received and
were followed by veterans OF the Mexican
war aud the war Of 1912, representatives OF
the Grand Army Of the republic, the Oldest
Inhabitants association, and citizens general
ly. Throughout the entire reception Presi-
dent Arthur retained his position without a
moments rest. He greeted those with whom
he was acquainted with pleasant smile and
q few words Of recognition. Strangers he
merely wished a happy New Year.
The state breakfast given by Secretary FIRE.
linghuysen to the members OF the diplomatic
corps and their wives was served promptly at
noon, according to time.honored custom.
Receptions we're also held by Secretaries
Lincoln, Chandler and Teller, Attorney Gen
eral Brewster Postmaster General Gresham,
Speaker Carlisle, Chief Justice Waite, Gen.
Sheridan and Admiral Porter
New Years day was observed in New York
and Brooklyn In the usual manner. The Gus
tom Of making New Years calls appears to be
gradually dying out at New York. In Brook
Ign the custom was more generally observed.
President Grevy held the customary recep-
ton ut the Elysee, in Paris.
The ambassadors OF the various powers Wis
tied Emperor William at the Imperial palace
in Berlin and wished him happy New Year