Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-13
WHITE HOUSE SHOPPING
WHY MRS. CLEVELAND DOES
HER BUYING IN NEW YORK.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-Local shop
keepers are inclinedt to grumbie because
Mrs. Cleveland makes the greater part of
her important purchases in New York.
They think themselves entitled to what
advantages are incident to having her
patronage. It's all very we'll to talk about
the independence OF Americans, but the
fact nevertheless remains that they are
Just as prone to hero worship as any of
the people Of other countries. While
they do certain amount of toadying to
whoever fills the Presidential chair they
would do still more of il he were a king
or emperor, wore "A crown and had life
tease on his position, instead of one of
| four years. The women are Just like the
men In this respect, except that they wor-
snip the queen Instead of her liege lord.
For the present Mrs. Cleveland is their
queen, asst IL were, and il is almost as ma
ural for the daughters of Eve to ape every
thing she does or wears as it is to talk.
Therefore, the store-keepers feel that If
Mrs. Cleveland patrOnizes them
and wears their goods, most OF the
other society ladies' will do likewise. On
her recent visit to the metropolis Mrs.
Cleveland practically completed her
Christmas and winter shopping. This
makes the local shopkeepers feel very
blue. 1t Is asserted in Mrs. Cleveland's
defense that she prefers to buy in New
York, because when she goes into the
shops here her presence ia noised about,
and the clerks all talk about what she
buys and the people look at her, while IN
New York she is unmolested, and does
not have everything that she buys or
prices published. All the growing the
local storekeepers can do won'C have
much effect on Mrs. Cleveland. Mrs.
Folsom Is still at Oak View. She has
not been in to see the President since
Mrs. Cleveland left.
MRS. WHITNEY AS A HOSTESS.
Mrs. Whitney outdid herself, if such
thing is possible, when Munkacsy, the
hungarian artist, WAS her guest at din
ner in this city last week. Ii there is one
thing on which Mrs. Whitney prides her
self 1t is the elegance of her dinner par
ties. To begin with, the dining room at
the Whitney residence is a veritable little
nook Of arc. Unique plaques in old china
and pictures and bronZes are scattered
about with artistic lavisbness, and find
for a background a wall OF warm Grim
son, which forms an inexpressIbly
happy contrast. The mantel
forms resting place for an
almost endless collection of small bric-a-
workmanship and overto wering the whole
Is a magnlficently gilt.framed mirror. In
the centre OF the room stood the table with
plates spread for twenty guests. On the
ornate sideboards, with their embellsh-
ments OF plate glass and triumphs OF the
wood carvers' art, was the wealth of rare
China and cut glass which was TO do SER
vice during the twenty courses OF which
the guests were to paTtake. The snow
~ Al tFa n l.
of tracing was relieved by a Turkish
scarf of crimson silk with its golden en-
broidery running lengthwise down the
centre OF the table. The scarf was set in
| floral frame OF lygodlum on which clus-
ters OF Parma violets and La France roses
alternated in continuous succession.
Baskets of magnificent roses from the hot
houses decorated the tour corners OF the
table. At the top and bottom OF the table,
where were dishes of gold, silver and
crystal, filled With candIed viOlets, rose
leaves, olives, bon bOns, and tall decan-
teIs of wine and flagOns OF water, the
tracery OF roses and foliage were con-
tinued, ending in a half circle composed
OF fern leaves aud viOlets at the spaces
between the covers laid for Mrs. Whitney
aud the guest OF the evening Mr.. Mum
kacsy) and at the other end for Secretary
Whitney and Madame Reuterskiold Tue
Of silver fillgree work. fllled with superb
white and purple grapes. The name
cards were gilt-edged, and with gold
w al the top. The menu was lengthy
and OF the choicest yiands, All OF the
guests were in full evening
dress, and the toilets OF the
ladies were unusually elaborate,
Mrs. Whitney's being OF black velvet.
with jaEots OF Spanish lace and jet. The
hriII of ha Inn
merable gas jets can well be imagined.
There were in the original cast of the din
ner too many men; so Mrs. Whitney in
Vlted some married ladies' without their
husbands, and made a frank statement OF
ner dilemma. To make it agreeable TO
all, Mrs. Whitney supplemented the
dinner by inviting others 10 meet
The guest Of the occasion at an evening
reception. The ball room and parlors
were flagrant with flowers, and large
plants were clustered in alcoves aud
halls. MI. Munkacsy gave whIstling
fantasia, Miss Maud Powell played the
violin, and Baron Won Zedwitz, Secretary
of the German Legation, gave fine rendi-
tions Of classic music on the piano. He
IL a master Of the instrument, and great
lover OF music.
WINTER GAIETIEs.
Mrs. Cleveland, in talking with the
Cabinet ladies, has eYinced her interest
in the social programme for the winter,
ana has already pianned many Of the fes-
tivlties that are 10 take place after New
Years. The month OF official mourn
ing for the death OF ex-President Arthur
Will be strictly observed, but once the
season begins there is every reason to
promise that the White House
will be the scene OF more gayety
than at any time duri1g this
administration. The official hospitalIties,
the state dinners and receptions will be
supplemented, 1t 10 thought, by number
OF smaller affairs, some OF them in honor
Of the guests whom Mrs. Cleveland will
bave here from time to time. Mrs, Cleve-
land Is almost daily visitor TO her
mothers at DAD View, and the two ladies
enjoy their morning drives and walks
together out there. Later on Mrs. Folsom
Will decide on reception day and the
road TO Oak View will then be the fash
Ionable drive. particularly as IL is sug.
gested that Mrs. Cleveland will frequently
assist her mother in doing the hOnors
there. IL Is quite probable when there IL
an overplus OF visitors at the White
House, which Is quite possible with the
Presidents and Mrs. Clevelands hos
pitable Intentions, that some OF them Will
be housed at the farm. The telephone
communication between the two houses
is about the gaYest feature in 1t all, aud
OF great convenience 70 the ladies'. IL is
rum0red here that number OF the lead