Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-05


greenery, edged with the leaves of the
pointsetta. Out of these rose the odorous
spikes Of the byacinth, in which we're inter-
mingled the rich hues of orchids. roses, vio-
lets and carnations. All the window recesses
of the east room were filled with small pyra-
mids of plants, and the mantels and tables of
the other pariors, all held their quotas of
floral wealth those in the blue and silver
room, in holders lind baskets of silver.
The decoration of these dinners are usually
indicative of the profession of the guests.
For instance, at the last diplomatic dinner,
the principal floral ornament consisted of an
immense ball, representing the globe, formed
of blossoms Sea and land, countries and
islands were made OF different flowers. The
whole was not less than four feet in diameter,
and was suspended from the pillars over the
dinner table. In that given to the justices,
the scales Of justice were formed out of red
and white carnations with a dove resting on
the beam.
The invitations-on engraved forms, the
names filled in with pen-had set the hour
at half-past seven. and by the time the house
was ready, the servants and usbers in their
places and the Marine band stationed in the
vestibule. the carriages began to arrive.
The invitation to dine at the White House
previous engagements have been made. they
must give place to this. On the other hand
the President can accept no official invitation
to dinner parties, whatever he may do as
private citizen. There is always criticism
when the chief officer becomes the recipient
of much private hospitality. The dignity
and responsibility of his Office must super
sede personal pleasure. Position has its
limitation no less than its power. Upon their
arrival, guests are ushered into the cloak
rooms on the supper floor to deposit their
wrappings, whence they descend and. passing
through the large door into the east room
greet the hostess who is waiting TO receive
them. To be late on such an occasion would
be an official as well as personal indigniiy.
Each gentleman has been provided, in the
cloak room, with an envelope enclosing
card diagram of the dinner table, on which is
checked of the number of his seat The
name of the lady whom he is to es
cort is written across the center of
the card. When all have convened, the Vice
President pro tempore and Mrs. Sherman are
unavoidably absent, and therefore the Secre-
tary of State, who takes precedence of the
other cabinet officers, advances to the Presi-
dent as he descends the staircase, and accom-
panes him in to meet the assembled guests.
This is the usual form at State dinners, where
the cabinet ministers are entertained. In
case of the diplomatic dinner, the oldest one
in point of service has this place of honor,
and escorts the wife or sister of the President;
in that of dinner given to the justices of the
Supreme Court, the chief justice is second
only to his chief Gentlemen are in regula-
ton evening dress ladies wear either high
necked costumes, or are decotlete. The lat
tor Qtal in
On the occasion under consideration, the
President, who is always to be seated at the
middle of the side of the table nearest the
corridor, gave his arm to Mrs. Bayard. while
Mrs. Manning, wife of the Secretary of the
Treasury, the second of the executive
departments, was escorted by the Secretary
of War, the third executive officer. and seated
on the left of the President. Beyond Mrs
Bayard, wife of the Secretary of State came
the Secretary of the Navy. Miss Cleve-
land sat opposite her brother, as hostess, with
the Secretary of State on her right and the
Secretary of the Navy on her left then the
wife of the Secretary of War. the third exc
cutive officer and General Sheridan next to
her
1t is striking scene, the amber. gold and
white of the East room CLEANS like sunlight
under sparkes of crystal, reflected from
eight enormous mirrors; the long corridor
fully lighted from whose walls the successive
Presidents look solemnly down on this evan
escent splendor; the multitude of fragrant
and dewv blossoms; the group of men who
WELD so much civic power in this republic;
the superb dresses of the women, of every
soft hue cleaning with magnificent jewels.
velvet beneath swept bv the long trains of
velvet above, all make picture, the value of
which is heightened by the associations clus-
terng about every adjunct of the scene
The President and his lady step through
the door into the corridor, ard, at signal
from an usher, the Marine band in the visit
bule, break into an inspiriting strain from the
"Mikado" The stately cortege defiIes down
the corrido and passing into the dining room
through either door, all readily find their
places. They remain standing until the
President seats himself. Miss Cleveland
and Mr.. Bayard were the last of the pr ces-
sion. The serene and gentle woman who fills
an enormous position with much dignity
and conscientiousness, presides as BELTS her
character. Unspoiled by place, considerate
and faithful, those who respect reality and
not its semblance, are glad TO record that the
courteous hostess of the Executive Mansion
is worthy of every honor.
The dinner of thirteen courses passes like
other dinners among well-bred people. Two
coiored walters stand behind the President
and the lady at his right. and two in cores
ponding positions on the other side of the
table. Each waiter has six persons under his
charge. The bills of fare during the present
are not TO be made public.
The dinner occupies about an hour and
half. After escorting the ladies to the East
room. the gentlemen return for the inevitable
post-prandisl cigar and Informal conversa-
ton. Even the gods unbend, at times, upon
Olympus At about eleven o'clock the guests
take their leave. The next morning por-
ton of the ten or twelve domestics employed
in the building, are removing the last traces
of the feast, so that the earliest visitor may
not see the debris of the banquet nall de-
serted" The flowers are kept in place as
long s. possible to be enjoyed by visitors.
There are rooms in Washington,as well as
in other cities, where there are more elegant
decorations and furniture, richer crystal and
plate, than are found in the Executive Man
sion. Perhaps this greater plainness COM
ports with the ideal simplicity of the republic.
And yet there are charms of association and
history which clothe the White House with a
beauty not all its own. From the period
when Mistress Abigail Adams dried her laun-
dried clothing in the East room until now,
how much has happened, Within these