The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-16
Brilliant Reception at the White
House

WAsHINGToN, June 15.--The White
House never presented more bril-
liant spectacle than tonight, on the
occasion OF the first official reception
given by President and Mrs. Cleve-
land. The decorations were on the
came grand scale as at the Pres dents
wedding with the exception that there
were more tropical fruits and ferns and
less flowers. The walls of the E3s,
room were hidden by plants
and garlands of smilsx, and
evergreens were festooned from
the chandel ers aud clinices. The
nantels were banked with rare exotics
ard the window recesfes filed with
palms. TIE decorations OF the other
parlors we're of similar description,
The scene when the reception was at
lis height, WITH the rich toilets Of the
ladies, the splendor OF the costumes
worn by some of the diplomats, and
the brilliant uniforms Of the officers
was most brilliant.
The guests began to arrive shortly
before 8 o'clock, and coon the house
was crowded with ladies and gentle
men awaiting the coming of the re-
ceiving party. The signal that the
President and Mrs. Cleveland were
ready was given promptly on time
and the Marine Band, which was sta
toned in the main vestbule, struck
up The air, "Hail to the Chief" The
receiving party then descended from
the upper portion OF the house
to the Blue pailor in the
following order: The President and
Mrs. Cleveland, Secretary and Mrs.
EndiCo't, Secretary and MIS-. Whitney,
Postmaster and Mrs. Villas,
Col. and Mrs. Lamont, They ranged
themselves in a semicircle in the
Blue p.rlor with the President first,
then Mrs Cleveland and Mrs. Endi-
colt, Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Vllas, in
the order named. Mrs. Cleveland YVES
sttired in her wedding dress, an
iv ry satin. The waist, however,
was slightly changed, being
pointed back and front, and without
sleeves. She woIe white elk gauntlet
mitts. Her only ornaments were the
di mond necklace, the wedding gift
of the President, and a msgnitiC mt
bouquet OF white roses worn at the
coIsage. MIS-. Clevelaud's hair was
dressed IN Grecian coils, and the
charming simplicity of her whole at
tire only served to show to greater ed
vantage the dignity Of her carriage
and the graceful poise of her figure,
She had smile foI everyone and a
word for many, and her winsome
manners captivated all. The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland were assisted
by Mr.. Endicott, Mrs. Whitney and
Mrs. Villas.
The diplomatic corps were the first
to be presented, led by Mr.. Preston,
Minister OF Hayti, aud Mrs. Preston
All the legations wers represented by
their ministers OF attaches. The Min
listers OF Ecuador and Bolivia came on
from New York expressly to pay their
respects to the new mistress OF the
White House. The Brazilian Prince,
Leopoldo, and the officers of the Bra.
lillian frigate Ba,ous, accompanied the
members Of the Brazilian legation,
and were treated with marked
consideration. Judge Porter, First
Assistant Secretary OF State, and Chiei
Clerk Brown presented the gentlemen
and ladies of the corps A general
reception of all the other invited
guests then followed, without any
particular order of precedence, Col
Wilson of the army made the presen'
iations to the Pres dent, and Lieut.
Duval OF the navy the presentations to
Mrs Cleveland.
Acting Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild
were among the early callers, and
were invited TO remain with the re-
Ceiving party. Mr.. and Mrs. Freder'
ick Douglass were among those who
called to extend their congratulations
to the President and his bride.
The reception was one OF the lar
g5st ever given at the White House
there being not less than
20O0 guests present The reception
closed at about l0;45 o'clock, and The
President and Mrs Cleveland, after &
promenade through the various rooms
retired, accompanied by the Cabinet