Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-06-26
THE SOCIAL. d
Mrs. Cleveland's First Reception
"A Royal Rooster.

"A Royal Rooster.
Special Correspondence of the 1srrR0cEAx.I
WASHINGTON, June 19.-Brilliant hos.
FATALITIES at the white house; daily meet.
ings Of a large convention of nursery. !
men, seedsmen and florists from all
parts Of the United States; a royal visi-
tor from Brazil, and congress talking
about staying until the last of August.
So far the heat of summer has failed to
put a quietus to either gayety or bust.
ness at Washington.
The horticultural convention now in
session here, consists Of three hundred
delegates. Its members have found the
capital decked in her vernal best, and
they pronounce that best very good.
This city has become the convention
rendezvous Of the United States, and
most Of the national assemblies will be
held here in the future, that were for
merly held in Boston.
The princely tourist, who has been
here during the week, seeing the sights
and receiving attention from diplomats
and other people of distinction, is a
grandson OF Dom Pedro. He is said to
have more strains of royal blood in his
veins than any other man living. He
has the blood of the royal house of Ger
many, France, England, Spain, Italy,
Denmark and Brazil.
The late premier of Australia, Hon.
James Service, has also been studying
Washington during the week: and some
visiting engineers from France who are
making a tour ofthis country, have been
doing the same. The latter gentlemen
were particularly struck by the simplic-
NY OF this reception at the white
house, and greatly pleased by the COR
dial manner in which the president met
them.
81 never expected to speak to the
chief executive Of q great country like
this in such an informal way said one
of the party. "He chatted with those
of us who speak English for about ten
minutes in a perfectly free manner,
about the railroad interests of France
and the United States.'
Doubtless you have been surfeited Of
late with presidential and white house
gossip. but still | must tell you some-
thing about how the presidents bride
bore her first public reception. and how
muck admiration she won. The test of
her qualities was a trying one, and she
emerged from it in . way to prove that
she is quite equal to her position and
worthy OF comparison in dignity, state
illness and refinement of bearing with
any OF her predecessors. In personal
attractions, she surpasses all of them.
She TODD by the presidents side, re-
ceiving the highest dignitaries Of the
lane with an ease and grace that pleased
everybody. and surprised those who saw
her, only a few months since, when she
was fresh from school. Members of the
diplomatic corps, senators, judges of the
supreme court, representatives in con-
gress, officers ofthe a.lny and navy, all
render the same verdict upon her, "a
lovely woman "a beautiful woman"
She is we'll proportioned and q triie
taller than the president. She wore
her bridal dress OF ivory satin, en- train,
low bodice. and corsage bouquet of white
roses. Her husbands bridal gift, a
diamond necklace, encircled her neck:
long white silk mits were tied above her
elbows, and an amber comb surmounted
her hair But by unanimous consent
her chief ornament was her fresh, beau
tiful face. She seemed pleased with
everything, and the pleasure was the
sincere enjoyment of youth and fresh
ness and simplicity. 1t was all new to
her, and the cares Of her position had
as yet laid no burden upon her. She
saw no fawning sycophancy in smiles
no sinister purpose in fattery, no
hypocrisy IN open admiration, and she
got the full need Of enjoyment out of
her surroundings.
1t was thought that the royal scion
who attended the reception would de-
tract from Mrs. Cleveland's triumph,
but there was no division of honors.
The blonde-haired South American
prince was left to his foreign guardians,
the Brazilian legation, while the throng
paid homage to the presidents wife.
There was no attempt at precedence as
at most official and card receptions, and
the people came IN to be presented just
as they felt disposed. Some amusing
incidents occurred. as, for instance. when
policeman, in citizens attire, who did
not know Col. Lamont, requested him
to stand aside and let pcople pass from
the blue room into the green parlor.
That's right" replied the private Sec
Rotary, there are no privileged charac-
tere here"