The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-07


From 0sr Regasr Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, January 2, 1885,
New Years day was observed in
Washington, after the time honored
fashion. Although the custom Of
calls on that day is going out in
some of the leading cities. it is ad-
hered to here. Indeed Washington
may be called the New Years city Of
the World. Beginning with the
President and going down the scale,
everybody receives. The distin-
guished, the obscure, the wealthy,
the well to do, the 'hard up" and
the run down" open their doors
and welcome callers.
The White House reception was
unusually grand. President Arthur
had invited over sixty ladies to as
sist at his last New Years reception,
and they were socially equal to the
occasion, greeting callers as hospita-
bly, as their chief. Besides the Cab
met ladies and those of the Supreme
Court, there were the wives of Sena-
tors, Representatives, and many 9TH
ers prominent in the society circles
of the Capital. The President was
beaming with health, good spirits
and cordiality, and the official pag-
cant that wished him happy New
Year was imposing 10 its gorgeous
uniforms, decorations, and foreign
court regalia. Cabinet officers, ex-
cabinet officers, foreign diplomats,
Supreme Court Justices, and Justic-
es of the District Courts, Congress,
Army and Navy officers, ex-minis-
tiers, assistant Secretaries, heads of
bureaus, Commissioners, Superin-
|tendents. assistant Postmasters Gen.
eral, Attorney Generals, Solicitors
General. veteran soldiers and civic
organizations followed in order.
A brilliant scene was witnessed by
the privileged few who peeped into
the East room while it was throng-
ed with the Diplomats in their cos
tunes of many colors, with gilt lace,
gold braid, dangling swords. and
shining helmets. There is nothing
gorgeous in attire, head or foo. gear
sashes or epaulets, that the vanity
of foreign powers has not patented.
One could see the green velvet Court
dress of Brazil the brilliant helmet
and uniform of Frances military at
tachee; the oak leaves acorns and
wheat, emblematic of Belgium the
mandarin costume of the Chinese
Charge D'Affaires the gay curious
Turkish garb, and so on in endless
variety. The New japanese Minis
ter in flowing satins, gold wrought
shoes and rare embroideries loo ked
on in i'll concealed astonishment at
his first New Years reception in
America, while the British minister
in dark suit and gold lace chatted
with group of ladies of different
natlonalitles.
While the Diplomatic corps was
passing by the receiving party, the
band in the vestibule very appro-
priately played the patriotic airs of
the nations represented. 1t was
interesting to notice how quickly
the notes were recognized by the
representatives of the countries to
which the airs belonged, and the
pleasure it gave them.
The Oldest Inhabitants association
terminated one division of the days
reception. When the las. hoary
headed citizen had grasped the Pres
idents hand, there was momentary
pause in the reception. Then the
doors were again thrown open.
The people, regardless of race or col
or began to surge in, and the public
reception commenced. The Presi-
dent did not change his position,
did not suffer himself to look tired,
did not even take time to wipe the
perspiration from his brow, but went
right to work again shaking hands.
The procession seemed endless, but
he was ready for each extended hand
expressed New Years wishes affably,
kissed some children gracefully, and
did other gracious things that even
President of the United States was
not expected to do. 1t was motely
crowd that passed by him, though
the cattle drover with his whip and
the peddler with his pack, to whom
tradition has assigned place at the
Presidents public receptions were
not there. The rich and the poor, the
fashionable and the plain, infancy old
age and all the intermediate ages
were in the procession. There were
many handsome toilets and many
damaged ones, and in the crush that
is unavoidable on such occasions.
Clothes as well as their wearers suf-
fered. The procession had to be
stopped occasionally, to allow the
crowd inside to be reduced, and then
the line would again begin to move.
1t went on and on thus until the
time for closing arrived.