Morris tribune., 1886-12-29

Bancroft, the Historian, Among the
Youngsters Present. Phil Sberidan's
Latest Captures q Tin Trumpet, Much
to His Daddy's Delightt:I-An Impor-
tant Patent Decision-Ths Silver Ger
tihcates-
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 27-Secretary
and Mrs Whitney gave the champion
Christmas tree party for their children Fri
day afternoon, and seventy children shared
the pleasure with the three young Whitneys.
Many grown people beside the parents Of the
lucky children were asked, so that it was
almost a double party. Mrs Whitney re-
ceived the guests in the front drawing-room
In charming tea-gown Of pale blue satin
and cream brocade covered with large bou-
quets of flowers. The portieres to the large
ballroom were closely fastened, but when
all the c mpany had come and 5 o'clock had
struck the curtains parted and revealed
fairyland. The great, shining tree reached
to the ceiling OF the ballroom, and was so
covered with strings of silver and gold and
copper balls, silver images, stars and toys
and clouds OF tinsel, and scores of candles
that no one could see the original branches
Of foliage
The little Choristers from st. Johns sang
Christmas carols, while the children walked
admiringly around the tree Miss Howard
and Miss Howells assisted Secretary Whit
ney in giving each child two paper numbers,
and as those numbers were called the boys
on one side Of the tree nd the girls on the
other had rain Of beautiful gifts that only
fairy godmother could have provided. The
girls little breastpins, rings, bracelets,
vlnalgrettes, fans, work-boxes, handker-
chiefs, and photograph cases, perfume cases,
and the most ingenious devices in pretty
bon-bon boxes. The boys had knives, whis-
ties, tops, drums, reins, writing cases and in
Vulnerable things. All had cornucopias Of
candy and big favors that held tissue-paper
costumes, in which they danced merrily after
all the numbers were called and the candles
were slowly snuffed out with wet sponge
on a pole. They danced, snapped their
crackers, blew their horns, and had a roy
ally good time till supper time. Some
youngsters were so filed with glee that they
retired to corners and silently hugged their
treasures.
Mrs. Cleveland was prevented from attend
ing, but her cousin, May Cadman, came
with Mrs. Lamont, and later went home
with Mrs. Folsom. Secretary and Mrs
Manning, Mr.. and Mrs. Endicott, and Post
444<AoscA 1CAeIcA anu lldS ToDTGS0lCGQ
the cabinet Mr.. George Bancroft claimed
to be the Oldest boy at the party, and taxed
Secretary Whitney with forgetting TO hang
something on the tree for him. A number
of the diplomatic corps were present, and
declared that even in Germany the tree and
group Of lovely little ones could not be sur
passed. General and Mrs. Sheridan
brought their three little girls and the
tiny Philip Sheridan, who drew a tin
trumpet and blew it like a born cavalryman
to his fathers apparent pleasure. Col and
Mrs. Bonaparte, Senator and Mrs Dolph,
Senator and Mrs. Mcpherson, Mrs John P.
Jones, Maj. J W. Tucker, Mrs John Hay,
Mrs. Nicholas Anderson, Mr.. and Mrs Letter,
Lieut.. and Mrs. Emery, Mrs George B.
Doring, Gen. Hazen, Mr.. David King, Mrs.
r r Hit, and Mrs. Cockren were among |
the elders present.