National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-20

The social world has entered the willing
whiTl Of the final weeks preceding tho
Lenten seventies upon which we enter on
Ash Wednesday March 10Y. It Is to be
expected now that each succeeding week
will be gayer than its predecessor until the
final dead stop comes. The touch Of clear,
cold March in the atmosphere for most Of
the time served as an exhilaration to many,
who took in new vigor with II and went to
five teas in an afternoon and six receptions
In the evening with thankful, joyous hearts
that buoy up the faltcring, weary feet
Anyway, the people keep going with amaz-
ing dauntlessness, and q little theOrizing
does no harm. The Huttering storm gust
OF Monday afternoon interrupted the call
ing very little. Mrs. Justice Field, I'm her
delightful home, was ably seconded In her
hospitable efforts by Miss Parsons, Miss
Cornelia Van Auken, and Miss Gay. Mrs.
and Miss Waite were pleasantly at home,
and Miss Smith and her niece, Mrs. Stevens,
were also receiving. The center TO which
all carriages tended, however, was Lafayette
square and Mrs. Washington McLean's
tea. The handsome house was en- fete. Mrs.
Mclean, in a superb robe Of ivorle satin
brocade, garnished with pearl passemcn-
teries and further enriched with wine
colOred velvet revers, welcomed all who
body was there. Mrs. Gen. Hazcn aud
Mrs Capt. Bugher daughters OF the hostess,
and Miss Jennie Sheriff. continued the very
agreeable impression received on entering.
Senator and Mrs. Sherman, assisted by
Miss Parsons, who has won the hearts Of our
people with her seraphic face and wlnsome
manner, held n most charming salon. The
toilets were unusually elaborate, and the
assembly was brilliant in every respect.
Mrs. Sherman wore an exquisite gown OF
doves neck silk, with front Of pink silk,
deliberately trimmed with soft lace. Miss
Parsons wore quiet toilet Of black silk
and crimson folds, corsage cut Pompadour
and edged with thread lace. Many of the
| guests went afterward TO the later german at
Mrs. Letters, which was the final one Of the
series that began so happily before the
ruthless destroyer entered the fold. The
| abundant entrance and the grand stair
case, laden with beaus and
| bellies, and what In art or poetry can be
| prettier than wide stair full of lovely
girls and devoted youths, the dainty cos
tunes, the flowers and all made scene that
would have driven wild with delight one of
! those French painters who love to paint
gay accessories and festive figures. The
! spacious rooms were simply throngcd, the
flowers were notable for their profusion, no
] one need fear there would not be enough to
| go around, as Mrs. Letter in the goodness
| vi StuGIbub hSuIJ uuu pIONlupu
| antly against any such disagreeabe con-
tingency. There was some very elaborate
dressing. Nine. Reuterskiold wore superb
toilet Of iron silk brocaded in pattern of
tulips, the Baroness d'Itajuba wore lilac
satin and Ltulle the Misses West were in
| French toilets Of white satin and tulle gar
landed with roses, Miss Jennie Sheriff. was
In clouds Of white tulle with long loops of
white satin ribbon and the low bodice edged
| with pearl passementerie, Miss Camille
Berghmanns wore unique ball dress of
white tulle bangled with loops of crimson
chenille, Miss Lily Coffey wore yellow tulle
| with low bodice, Miss Paul black tulle and
buttercups, Miss Dolph white satin and
tulle with garnitures of silver wheat beads,
Mrs. Horace Helyar white satin and tulle
bangled with pear shaped pearls, Miss Cor
nelia Van Auken pearl colored silk petit
coat and bodice with draperies Of pink
Chambery gau2e.
There was a stiff northeaster on Tuesday
that yelled the prudent portion Of the callers.
X eet.was gay with carriages, and all along
the line pleasant entertainments were held.
Mrs. Gen. DRUMS hospitable rooms were,
as usual, thronged with amerry party. Mrs.
Hunt, Miss Low, Miss Hunt, Miss Heap,
Miss Cartright, and Mrs. Augustus Tyler.
Mrs. Gov. Curtin was most agreeably Sat
home,h aided by her sister, Miss Wilson.
Miss Curtin presided at the tea table with
Miss Fithian. Mrs. Dr. Loring was assisted
by Miss Sallie Loring and Miss Cornelia
Van Auken, Of New York. Miss Edes was
most pleasantly surrounded by gay girl
assistants. Mrs. Marshall o. Roberts, who
has come from New York TO grace our
social circles, is at home on Tuesdays in
the house lately occupied by Mrs. Archibald
Hopkins, on Dupont circle. Mrs. Roberts
has with her Miss Endicott, her sister. Mrs.
| lanes H.. ('amnlplI who ig nj tha most
gracious hostesses In the city, received n
large number Of visitors, assisted by her
sister, Miss Owen, and Mrs. Campbell.
The rival teas Of Mrs. DelaGeld and Mrs.
Honore, on street, made the square be-
tween Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets
wildly exhilarated. Both events were very
recherche affairs. In going into Mrs. Della
fields drawing room a recent arrival in
Washington would find not one familiar
face, because the company was composed
of longtime residents and people who are
not the first met on going into general cir
Giles. Indeed they might never be met II
they were not sought for These quiet
people are very conservative, and probably
II was that quality In them that allowed
the dainty tea table TO stand for so long a
time undisturbed. The reception given to
the officers OF the army and navy and ma
rine corps by the Secretary and Mrs. Endi-
colt was a brilliant event. The glittering
uniforms of the men and the simple toilets
Of the women set in the beautiful rooms
made an artistic grouping Of colors. Mrs.
Endicott wore O handsome toilet Of black
satin, with black velvet pearls embroidered
in bright flowers, and hair worn high,
dressed with pink ostrich tips. Miss Endi-
colt wore white satin and tulle, garnished
with lilaes; Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Endlcott's
sister, in cream brocade, with panels
Of London smoke velvet, with
| her nanUhtnr Mics Mason m
white satin and pink ribbons, stood close
behind the receiving party. Mrs. Baxter,
Mrs. Tarr, and Miss Paul, and Miss Daisy
Ricketts, presided at the tea table. Some
Of the distinguished guests present were
Gen. Sheridan, Gen. and Mrs. Drum, Sur
geon General Murray, DR.. and Mrs. Bryne.
Mrs. Gen. Paul, Gen. Newton, Comdr. and
Mrs. Schley, Comdr. and Mrs. Crewnin.
shield, Gen. and Mrs. Van Vllet, Admiral
Warden, Col. and Mrs. Wilson, Gen. Carlin
Paymiaster and Mrs. Bates, Col. and Mrs.
Iydecker, Lieut. and Mrs. Duvall, Lieut.
! Hancock, Lieut. Allen, DIR. Gunnell, Com
modore and Mrs Harmony, Col. and Mrs
NJ. q. Sheridan, Col. and Mrs. Duncan
Lieut., and Mrs. Greedy, Col. Whitman
DR.. ana Mrs. O'Reilley, Lieut. and Mrs
McCalla, Surgeon and Mrs. Baxter, Gen
HaZen, Gen. Benet, Commodore Walker
Secretary and Mrs Manning, Mrs. Villas
Mrs. John A. Logan, Mr.. Manning Logan
Miss Andrews, MISS Van Nechten, Mrs
Daniel Lamont, Prof. Baird, Prof, Jannir
and his daughter, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. JohI
Bigelow, Maj. and Mrs. w. j. Volkmar
Mr.. and Mrs. stephen Vail, and Capt, ant
Mrs Gross.
, The large drawing rooms OF Senator ani
: Mrs. McPherson's beautiful new house OF
Vermont avenue were crowded. The win
dow reeesses were filed with palms, ant
the Tudor mantels were banked with prim
roses. Mrs. Mcpherson wore toilet o
pale blue Ottoman, with draperes outlined
with pearl passementeries. Miss Dillon
/ the guest of the house, assisted IN receiving