The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-01-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From 0ur Regular Correspondent,
WASHINGTON. Jan. ). IS


WASHINGTON, Jan. ), 1884.
So far as Washington was con-
cerned the new year opened gloomy,
damp, and cherries, greatly to the
disgust of those who received, as
well as those who made calls. Gen
tlenen mad been looking over their
cravats, and gloves, making their
lists" revolving the question of
carriage hire, and hoping it would
not be sloppy. Ladies had been
decorating their homes, arranging
their toilets, and it is said practicing
poses. Tailors had done thriving
business cleaning and pressing
swallow tails and Prince Alberts,
one of the annually recurring cues
tions that was vexing fashionable
men of speculative mind was, wheth-
er new year call should be made
in a swallow tail or frOck coat. The
dictum of fashion in the matter was
that, the new year call being morn
ing call, should be made in morning
dress, but coats of both STYLES were
worn. 1t had been noised abroad
that alcoholic sideboards would be
in dlstavor this time; that fashion
would be on the side of common
sense, morality and reform that
fashion had decided that hospitality
did not consist in turning ones
house into free lunch saloon. But
1t so happened that punches and
wines were almost universally in
cluded in the entertainment offered
by ladies 10 their new year callers.
Though gentlemen, with long lists
of calls to make, were aghast to find
the new year had begun on one of
the most disagreeable mornings the
year could be expected to furnish.
most OF them we're too gallant to
surrender, or to disappoint their
friends who kept open house. Car
riages, cabs and hansoms went whirl-
ing through the rain, each making
Its round according to schedule. In
the official circles of the capital new
years day is devoted to ceremonial
calls. The interior of the Executive
mansion was beautifully decorated
Corridors and parlors were CAV with
flowers and plants. Columns and
chandeliers were festooned with
smllax. President Arthur had in.
vlted a long list of ladies to assist
him IN receiving, Including some of
the wives OF cabinet officers, Senators
and Representatives. At ii o'clock
the Marine band, stationed in the
vestibule Of the White House. began
to play Hail to the Chief and the
President and his assistants descend
ed TO the blue parlor. The President
escorting Mrs. Carlisle, the wife OF
the Speaker of the House, who is
now the leading lady, according to
the official etiquette of Washington.
The first guests presented were
the Diplomatic Corps, each wearing
the Court dress of his nationality
and the honors and decorations
which are SO profuselv conferred in
Europe. Next came Cabinet officers
and the Justices of the Supreme
Court, then followed Army and
Navy officers in full uniform, next
civil officers, then various organiza
. tions such as the Grand Army of the
Republic, Mexican Veterans, and
oldest inhabitants. with their dis.
tinctive badges and military caps
Here the official reception ended
and the people next shook the Pres.
ident's hand. The scene in the great
East room, which received all the
guests for little while before thev
went out into the rain again, was in
terestlng. First, it was filled with
the members of the Foreign Lega.
tions in tfeir gold embroidered vel.
vet court uniforms, and their wives
IN rich costumes, then came the
uniformed Army and Navy officers
and last the citizens. One class gave
placeto the other gradually, so that
each was at some time mingled with
; another.
, During the entire reception Mr.
Blaine stood behind the president
surrounded by richly dressed ladies
and looked quite happy. He dio
not assist in the hand shaking but
was the object ofas much attention as
the president himself. and when he
went into the East room. became
J at once the centre of an admiring
throng. Senator Logan was follow.
ed by curious eyes, and when he
} Mr.. Blaine. and President Arthur
came together for a few minutes and
passed some trihing Jest that was
lost to the crowd, the group of pres
idential possibilities was the subject
of no little comment.
Among other cranks in the process
, sion was DR.. Mary Walker with hel
. trousers, frock-coat and plug hat
Later in the day, the ladies of the
cabinet and Supreme Court dispen.
sed the hospitalities of the season al
: their elegant homes, and the wife oi
Speaker Carlisle held a brilliant re.
ception at the Riggs House. Presi-
dent Arthur received his New Years
: guests in black morning dress. but.
toned to the neck. He spent the
evening of New Years day at Mr.
Blaines house.
A Youthful Couple.
ALLENTOWN, January 2.-The
i,rornor ccnfinr, &c LII o.....4 -.