St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-17
THE REPUBLICAN COURT.
Recent Social Erenfs at VashiaOton-The
Question Of Prestige.
I Washington Letter

1uestion of Prestige.
Washington Letter
The past week has been a brilliant one So
cially. and the present one will be equally
so. The charity ball will occur Monday eve
ming, and there viii be many receptions and
dinners. The President holds his first for
NAL reception on Tuesday evening, when
the diplomatic corps will be the guests of
honor. New ARA ngements have been made
for the reception of the public al the White
House, and for the custody of coats aud
wraps, which it is thought will give general
satisfaction. On Friday evening society vi
brated between brilliant receptions given at
the houses of the Russian minister and Gen.
Sheridan. Many guests divide the hours be-
tween the two places.
Mrs. de Strive received her guests wear
ing gown of smoke-tinted China crepe and
oriental lace. There was a large attendance
of the diplomatic corps and prominent Off
Gals. Senior Gomez of the Brazilian leea-
ton and his bride, who arrived that day, were
among the guests. Seno RI Gomez, a niece
of Representative Robert r. Hit, wore a
trained dress OF dark olive rehet with front
of pale blue satin, add pearl ornaments The
wife of the japanese minister wore rose-col-
ored satin and brocaded rehet. notable
toilette was that of Mrs. Darwin James of
New York, who wore court train of white
satin over petticoat of white embossed re-
het. The corsage was low, and she wore a
necklace of rare diamonds, with large pend
ants. The wife Of Senator Henderson wore
trained dress of black rehct, with point, lace
Mrs. Brewster's gown was orange pink otto
-, l.
Yuee of Florida wore white ottoman and
satin. with sleeves and trimmings of pearl
netted lace. Mrs. Cockrell's toilet was blue
gros grain, combined with silver blue bro
cade and punches of blue ostrich feathers.
Miss Lucy Frelinghuysen's dress was one
| Of the handSomest--a black satin, with over
dress of gold ball Melted lace. Miss Filth
Andrews Of Ohio, the guest Of Mrs. John A.
Logan, wore trained dress of white satin,
with front embroidered in pearl fringe. She
| accompanied Maj. and Mrs. William Tucker
and Mr.. Manning Logan. Mrs. McElroy,
who came from Gen. Sheridan's, wore train
Of lilac brocsde over lilac satin, with ball
friuges of the same shade. Mrs. McMichaei's
dress was white silk, covered with chantilly
lace. Miss Vests dress was pale pink
satin. Miss Flora West was in white, as
were also Miss McCulloch aud Miss Margaret
Blaine. Mrs. Helyar, wife of the second
secretary of the British legation, wore ball
dress of dead leaf colored tulle over silk of
the same shade The low corsage and short
sleeves were finished with punches of tulle,
and her ornaments were diamonds and
pearls. It was a striking toilet, and the dull
shade, so trying to most compilations, was
becoming to that lady In the early part of
the evening tea was served from the table in
| the large window of the drawing -room, aud
the few who were so fortunate as to be I'M
fashionably early enjoyed hall. hours con-
versation with the charming host and host
ess. Dancing Tiled the later hours, and an
elaborate supper was served throughout the
! time. Though there were several hundred
guests. the number Of spacious rooms open
ed gave ample space for promenade and
dancing. Mr.. and Mrs. De Strive, after re-
ceiying their guests, always mingle very
generally with them, now in one room then
another, and by indescribable little court
estes add to the enjoyment of every one.
| Their house has well merited reputation for
| delightful hospitality.
The Evening Star says questions of official
and social rank aud precedence are becOm
ing about as common here as they used TO be
in the petty German ducal courts, and it will
soon be necessary for the President to APP
point lord high chamberlain In waiting
whose duty it will be to hear and determine
officially the momSntous questions touching
position, etiquette and dress that are eontin
ually yexing the souls Of our republican
court. The latest case Of offended dignity
reported seems 10 be that of the court of
claims, whose mem bers, it is said, with sin
gle exception, pointedy resented 4 slight
put upon that body by the master of ceremo-
MES at the White House by remaining away
from the Presidents last New Years recep-
ton. The custom at former receptions had
been to include the court OF claims with the
United States supreme court: but on the
last occasion the judges Of the court Of
claims were classed with those Of the district
courts. Whether the change was regarded
as reducing the social or judicial status of
the court OF claims is not known, but the sto-
~ is that the judges resented it by refusing
10 call upon the President, excepting one OF
their number, who had never attended a
White House reception, and who, II would
seem, permitted his personal curiosity TO ov-
ercome his official indignation.
The actress Rhea, who is TO bring out How
ard Carrolps new play, THE American
Countess, " on Wedn esday evening, will at
tend the diplomatic reception at the execu-
tive mansion on Tuesday evening, after the
regular performan ce at the National, and
will then return TO the theatre, and give
full dress rehearsal Of the new play, to which
limited number OF persons will be invited.
She will probably be invited to lunch at
the White House during her stay here.