National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13

o most effective receiving party. Mr.. and
Mrs. b. ii. WaTder, OF Springfield, Ohio,
threw open their family circle, which is a
most delectable one, and half Of Washing
ton availed itself Of the opportunity to
greet most welcome acquisition to the
home makers at the capital Mrs. Letter
gave dinner to Mrs John Bigelow,
The snow made rapid exit under the per-
suasive influence Of n soft, warm rain on
Thursday, and the calling was done eXclus-
lively in carriages. The leading attraction
Of the afternoon was the tea given by Mrs.
Townsend, daughter Of Hon. William l..
Scott, Of Pennsylvania. This social event
has been long In prospect, and was TO In
augurate series Of afternoons. The house
occupied by the family is the handsome
house Of the Bruen's, on Farragut square,
and lis elegant appointments were embel-
lished by great bouquets of tulips, red and
yellow, and those splendldly proportional
roses, called the American Beauties
Mrs. townsend, who is a remarkably
beautiful and attractive lady, received
In toilet OF black lace aud Jets, and
her corsage bouquet was bunch OF
Parma yiolets. Mrs. Townsend's hospltable
intentions were gratefully executed further
by Miss Jennie Sheriff., Miss Townsend,
and Mrs. Acbley. One Of the most agree
able and hospitable homes in Washington
Is that of Mrs. Senator Pugh, whose Thurs
dayreceptions are thronged like o shop on !
souvenir day. Mrs. Pugh's daughter, Mrs.
Cochran,.is very attractive lady, aud the
sweet southern heartlness of the house
gives to the house an added charm. Among
those assisting Mrs. Pugh were Mrs. Dew,
of New York; Mrs. John N. Hartin, Miss
Bostick, Miss Ryan, Mrs. and Miss David
son, Mics Lee Miss Barclay, Miss Cornelia
Denver, Miss Jennie Denver, Miss Maxwell,
u g,vt,N
Mrs. Letter gave a dinner to Mrs. John
Bigelow, Of New York. Some Of the guests
were MIR. and Mrs. Grlswold, of New York;
Lieut.. and Mrs. Greedy, and ex-Secretary
boutwell,. The center OF the table was
colossal bed Of Bengal roses After dinner
the party adjourned TO Secretary Whitnoy's
reception. The supper of the Chinese
minister to gentlemen was also a very
pleasant and delightful affair, The min
lister received his guests In the Italian
salon and they were Immediately passed
into the dining-room. The supper was
stand,up affair, and all the fashionable
dainties were spread before them, a regu-
lation Delmouico feast. Coming so soon
after dinner, there were few to do Justice TO
II. There was superabundance OF terra
pin soup, which no doubt the Orientals
think is our national dish, but Gen. Jones,
who was present, said IL did not compare TO
Some Of those present were Gen. Beale,
Hon. Chas. ii. Sheriff., Hon. Robert b.
Roosevelt OF New York; ex-Gov. Curtin,
Hon. VIM. s. Holman, Senator Dawes,
Hon. VIM. Il. Chandler, Gen. Viele, Mr..
Scofeld, Judge Kelley, Commissioner
Webb, Mr.. Van Buren,, Mr.. J.. z. Letter,
Judge Casey, and Mr.. Neil. After leaving
the dining room the gentlemen repaired to
the smoking divans, where Manila cigars
were enjoyed. The New Workers were es-
pecially struck by the fact that so many of
the members Of the legation were in glasses.
The reception Of Secretary and Mrs. Whit
ney was par excellence the event Of the
season. 1t was jam, atrash, a host. The
capacity Of their house was tested, and
found not to exceed the strain put uponit.
Mrs. Whitney looked exceedingly well In
white dress with trimmings Of pearls and
pendants. The Secretary was the very i'm
personation of cordially, and Miss We'd
dell was enchanting in crimson MORE with
the Chantilly draperies. Outside, the line
of carriages waiting to deliver their loads
Of would-be guests reached TO Seventeenth
street. The halls were full, the stairways
teemed, the dressing rooms were packed.
The fashionable world was there, all, and
in their very smartest gowns, too. Mrs.
Manning wore pink brocade with lace, Mrs.
Villas, French rose color silk; Mrs. En-
dicott, black velvet and white brocade
Mrs. John Bigelow, black velvet and lace;
Mrs. Horace Helyar, in London smoke,
satin bodice, and skirts of tulle, and pearls;
Mrs. Judge Macarthur, silver brocade;
Mrs. Kearney Warren, cream brocade and
claret velvet; Mrs. VIM. Cruger Pell ivorie
satin; Mrs. Ricketts,, black satin and Jet
passementerie; Mrs. Gen. Paul, black bro
cade; Miss Parsons, white China silk, and
Mrs. Lamont, lilac satin yelled in Chantilly
lace. magnificent supper was served
from IL o'clock. The hour set for the re-
ception was promptly observed, and car
riages began arriving shortly after 0
o'clock. The evening receptions of
Secretary and Mrs. Whitney have been
auspiciously inaugurated,. The guests for
the Presidents dinner finished the evening
at this reception. At12 o'clock, the invi-
tations were from to IL, some of the young
men asked Secretary Whitney If they might
havea dance, saying II permission were
given they would take up the rugs. OF
course the Secretary could answer nothing
but assent, and thus the stately state recep-
tion ended in young peoples romp.
Mrs. Whitney had anticipated giving ball
later IN the season, but as that matter has
been taken onHof her hands, II is probable
there viii be dancing at all the receptions
after ~. ...y.
The rain continued through all the. Friday
calling. The tea given by Mrs. Senator
Call was great social success, and brought
many pleasant people together. Mrs, Call
received her friends In trained robe OF pale
gold brocade. Mrs. Simpson and Mrs Gen.
Walker and Mrs. Benton McMillin were
assisting in the first drawing room, and
Miss Simpson, Miss Grace Walker, Miss
Armstrong, Miss Jennie Simpson, Misses
Tucker and Cartwright. Mrs. McCalla
held delightful reception in her exquisite
home. Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Cornwall
served the tea and chocolate, and Com
mander McCalla and Lieut.. win Cowles
assisted In entertaining the many visitors
that, despite the heavy rain, kept coming
In until after nightfall. The increasing
rain made 1t heroic work getting to the
Presidents reception later.
The engagement is announced of Miss
Jennie p. Bigelow, second daughter of
Hon. John Bigelow, TO Mr.. Charles
Tracy, a rising young lawyer of New
York, and only son of the late Charles
Tracy, recently deceased. Miss Bige-
low is beautiful, accomplished, and at
tractiye, distinguished for her sweet voice
in singing and renowned MS the best waltzer
in New York city. Mr. Tracy has a coun-
try home near Highland Falls, near the
summer seat Of Mr.. Bigelow. All the par
ties are well known here. A leading soci-
ETY. event In st. Louis last week was the
wedding Of Mr., Frank Meryman and Miss
Carrie johnson. Mr.. Merryman is prom
inent attorney, and Miss Johnson is the
daughter of Gov. Charles p. johnson, whose
wife was the daughter of Mr.. Thomas Par
ker, Of this city.
Mrs. Washington Mclean gives tea on
Monday.
Mrs Letter gives cotillon and Senator
and Mrs. John Sherman give card recep-
ton.
Secretary and Mrs. Endicott expect to
give their first evening reception and Mrs.