St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-02
The President Holds a Brill
liant Reception al the
White House.
Some of the Distinguished Ladies
and Gentlemen who Were
Present.
The Foreign Legations, Dazzling in
Gold, Lace and Jewels. OutShine
the SOmber-Suited Ameri-
cans.
A Brief Description of Few of the Elegant
Dresses Worn by the Wives and
Daughters Assisting.


Especial Telegram to the Glooe.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The presidents re-
ceptiOn to-day was one Of the most brilliant
given during his term. All tue arrange
ments were well planned and carried out.
Nothing happened to mar the brilliancy oi
the great state ceremony of the year. The
house was decorated with palms and plants,
made fragrant with flowers and Illuminated
with gaslight, and the Marine band, stationed
in the entrance hall rendered a choice pro-
gramme Of musical selections during the re-
ception hours. The sixty or more ladies
invited TO assist on this occasion
gathered in the library upstairs shortly
before II O'Clock, and were in readiness tc
descend to the parlors at the hour named
The band played Hail to the Chief" when
the preside mt descended the private stairway
with Mrs. Frelinghuysen on his arm, pre-
ceded by Marshal McMichael, Col. Rockwell
and Lieut.. Mason, who were in charge Of the
ceremonies Of the day, and followed by his
cabinet officers, and the long line Of ladies
assisting at the reception. Mrs. Edmunds,
wife Of the acting vice president, came mid
way in the procession Of ladies, but after
reaching the blue room, was assigned her
proper place at the right of Mrs, McElroy,
preceding the ladies of the cabinet families.
After the large receiving party bad paid
their respects to the president the reception
began with the entrance Of members Of the
diplomatic corps, who were presented by
Secretary Frelinghuysen and Assistant Sec
retary Davis. The foreign representatives
wore cou RI dresses and uniforms of differ
ent nations and display of color. Tne gold
lace and jewels were quite dazzling. In the
absence Of the Haytian minister, who is in
England on special mission, the
Portuguese minister, Viscount Das No
queiras, preceded the other ENJOYS as dean
Of the diplomatic corps. He was accom-
panied by his wife, who wore visiting toilet
OF brown brocaded velvet, and his daughter,
who was attired in dark blue velvet aud satin.
Count D'Arsehot, who represented Belgium,
wore an elaborate uniform, and Countess
D'Arsehot a toilet Of crimson brocade with
black viste aud bonnet. The Misses West,
daughters of the British minister, and Mrs.
Helger, wife Of the secretary Of their lega-
aon, were present De Struge, the Arge n
Ine minister, was absent on account OF i'll
ness, and his three sons and three daughters
represented the legation of that county. The
Mexican minister is at home on leave and
his secretary did duties as well as those Of
the Chinese legation for their absent envoy.
Neither the Italian nor the japanese minis
sers brought their wives with them, and the
Hawaiian minister was accompanied by his
daughter The Chinese in their national
costumes presented picturesque figure in
the scene aud the Turkish minister and bis
two attaches attracted much attention. The
German minister Herr Won Alvensteben,
with his secretaries, made perhaps the most
brilliant group with their different uniforms.
Twenty-scven great powers were repre-
scuted, and when the foreigners were added
10 the large company OF ladies in rich even
ing dresses, the scene was most brilliant The
absence of Chief Justice Waite was felt when
the members of that tribunal entered without
their chief \ large number of senators ana
representatives, were present and the army
officers, presented by Secretary Lincoln and
the navy officers, introduced by Sec
retary Chandler aud Admiral Porter, made 4
fine display rs they entered in close ranks,
all attircd in full dress uniforms. The heads
of TIE bureaus, members of the Grand Army
Of the Republic, veteran soldiers aud others
we're received in turn, and at 10 O'Clock the
reception Of citizens began and lasted for
over an hour, the crowd pressing in and
increasing about the doors regardless Of tue
snow aud rain that began falling.
The scenes In the interior Of the house at
noon, when all the officials were assembled.
were quito dazzling, and with the crowd of
uniformed men and richly dressed ladies',
the black coated civilians were quite lost
sight o.. The president wore morning
suit of black cloth, Prince Albert coat, dark
tie and pearl tinted gloves. \ crimson rose
was worn IN the huttonhole OF his coat.
After the conclusion 81 the presidents
reception at the White house, the members
of his cabinet received at their houses during
the afternoon. with the exception OF Sccrc-
tary Lincoln. whose wife is in deep mourn
ing for her mother, Mrs. Hlrlay. SECRETARY
Freliuguyssn entertained the members Of
the diplomatic corps At breakfast party at
II o'clock.