Telegram-herald., 1886-06-16
THE FIRST RECEPTION
A Gathering OF Unprecedent-
ed Brilhancy.
EVERY FOREIGN DIPLOMAT PRESENT.
auti4 Floral Decorations Prince
Leopold OF erazd Lends ris
Pres suc Nearly Onc Tnous-
aad Persons Present

Waant.ro>. Juue l5 rae reception
given bg President Cleveland tonight. o.
tAe diplomatic corps the army ani navy
anl tls Judiciary brous4ta vast crowd %
tae Exeeuuve Mansion 90 greet Mrs Clege-
4uis entrances lnto society at lhe capital.
Ilr Mansion was closed to visitors today
aud florists we're busy all day decorating
ta- lower rooms Particular pains were
taken wila the east. or largest room in the
Mansion. 4ui as usual on sLate occasions,
tlls. and rhe blue and lei and green par
l1rs were beautifully decorated. Large
tropical plants d ied The corners. windows
aud rccesses of the east room, while
tae manres were banked With MOSES
and many coioEed flowers The large
chandeliers were draped with smllaN ami
Aar.ands nt evergreen enclrcied the pillars.
The Mansion Was never more elaborately
decorated anc perhaps never contained "a
larger. more distinguished or brilliantly at
ured gathering Carriages began 90 arrive
before g o'clock, and a steady stream of in
yiled guests poured into the Mansion till
long after 40 O'Clock. An unusually large
number of invitations had been sent out
about UOU-and 10 seemed as though every
one invited had improved this opportunity
90 catch a grlmpse VI tie first lady Of the
land
Promptly al @ o'clock the Presi lent and
Mrs Cleveland came down stairs, and when
they had taken their places IN the blue
room, Ms. Cleveland at the President 3
right. the reception began Mrs. EndicOtt,
Mrs. Villas and Mrs. Whitney We're the only
cabinet ladies present and assisting. The
Diplomatic COrps. in fail court dress, and
accompanied by the ladies of the
legation. were the nrst 10 be pre-
eutei 10 the President and Mrs
Cleveland. Prince Leopold, of Brazil. who
came with the Brazilian minister and an
other of that legation, attracted cOnsidera-
bie attention. The young prince seemed
wonderfully impressed with the surround
ings and was very enthusiastic in his ex-
pFessiOns of pleasure and surprise al the
assemblage. 10 Is a matter worthy
of note that there is not a diplomat in the
United States representing foreign govern
ment. who was not present at tonight 5
reception.
After personal iutroductions 10 the
members Ot the corps and their ladies. the
army healed bv General Sheridan. the
navy. bv Admiral Porter, the members of
the Senate and the House, the Judiciary and
other invited guests passed slowly the Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland The guests one
by one. were first introduced to the Presi-
flrlii. anu Lttil I'd MIS-. AtLalll. anu 30 Il
continuous stream passed by them until
about 1910. when tine last invited guest had
been presented 10 Mrs. Cleveland. The
President, departing from the
usual custom on such occasions,
dit not at 0uce repair 10 the
private portion Of the mansion but taking
his wiles arm, lead her out through the
green into the east room; and after making a
circuit of this capaciOus apartment, followed
oy Secretaries Eniicott, Whitney and Post
Master General y Nilas ami their ladies. pass
eG through the long central corridor TO the
private part of the Mansion This was the
signal that the reception was over. Presl
dent Cleveland was atiired in a flll dress
evening suit. Mrs. Cleveland wore her
wedding dress, SO often described as poem
In ivory and captivatel everybody with
her lovely appearance, graceful carriage
lace and winning. pleasant manners.