Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-15
MINISTER wEsYs RECEPTION.
Brilliant Gathering of Statesmen and
Diplomats at t4,e British Embassy.

FROM tho .Fslo York Sun.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l2.-The social
event of the week was the ball at the
British legation tonight. The red and
blue drawing rooms, handsome ball room,
and spacious halls Of the legation afford
fine opportunity for the entertainment of
a large company.
The brilliant lights, flowers in deeOrs-
ton, and elegant toilets made an effective
scene this evening, and the nall, with its
broad stairway, at the top OF which is the
portrait OF the Queen in ner coronation
dress, was one OF the most attractive fea-
lures. The host, who in June last was
knighted Sir Lionel SackvHle West, stood
on the left OF the blue drawing room door
welcoming the guests and presenting
them to his daughters.
Miss West and Miss Flora West wore
dresses alike Of pink tulle, low bodice Of
pink satin, with putiugs Of tUlle. The
skirts were dancing length and trimmed
with pink satin ribbons, and they neither
wore nor carried flowers. Miss Vests
ornaments were family jewels-a neck
lace of pearls with pendant set with
diamonds. Her sister wore a gold neck
lace, fashioned IN antique coins.
Miss Amelia West, the Minister'S
youngest daughter, who did not make her
debut at the bali, as was reported, but
will be introduced TO society next season,
wore simple dress of cream white silk
grenadine, with satin ribbons of the same
tint. She is considered by friends and
acknowledged by the family to be the
cleverest OF the three daughters.
Among the guests from other cities
were Mrs. Marshall q. Roberts and sis
ter, Miss Eudicott of New York, and Mr..
and Mrs. Frank W. Thompson Of Philadel
phia. The diplomatic corps was fully rep
resented. Among the diplomats accompa-
MED by ladies were the Swedish Minister
and Nine. Reuferskiold, the Brazilian
Minister and wife, the Minister from
Portugal and Niscountess Dos N0gueiras.
Others Of the corps were the Spanish,
French, Swedish, Argentine, Italian, Ger
man, and Peruvian Ministers and the sew
eral secretaries of the various legations.
The Secretary Of state and daughters,
Secretary and Mrs. Manning, Secretary
and Mrs. Whitney, Secretary, Mrs. and
Miss Endicott, POstmaster-General ana
Mrs. Villas, Senator and Mrs. Don Cam
erOn, Senator and Mrs. Eugene
Hale, Senator aud Miss Evarts, Senator
and Mrs. sherman, Gen. and Mrs. Hazen,
Representative, Mrs. and Miss Curtin,
Representative and Mrs. Hit, Mr. ard
Mrs. l.. q. letter, Miss Parsons, Miss
Waddell, aud many Of the Associate
Justices, with ladies of their families,
were among the guests.
The supper room was opened at II
O'Clock, and at y the cotillion began, LED
by the Hon. Charles Harding, Second
Secretary OF the British Legation, dane
ing with Miss West. Miss Flora West
danced with Count BerchoG Of Belgium,
and Alexander Greyer Of the Russian
Legation was Miss Ameha Vests partner.
There were about fifty couples, and the
figures quite new and original-intro-
duced for the first time this evening-ene
of the prettest being the snow ball, entS
ing with the bursting OF fine paper and
scattering like snOwfakes. The favars
were exquisite little baskets with ribbon
handles. The cOtillion closed at 2:30 with
the contra dance, Sir Roger de Coyerly-
called out OF compliment to the American
guests, Virginia reel.