New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-05
WASHINGTON SOCIAL LIFE.
MRS. CLEvELAND's RECEPTION POSTPONED
HOW MRS POTTER WAS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
rr.s IuNcuEnNs AND DINNERS.

HOW MRS POTTER WAS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TEAS LUNCHEONs AND DINNERS
WASHINGTON Fob 4 (SpecaD.-Thc Presidents wife
did not give a reception tho public TO day, as cN-
peced Tho news Of her unclc's death In BOSTON
yesterday was received late in the afternoon This
morning. so far possible, the public was informed
that there would I've reception. The steady, pour
ing rain all day went far to mltigac tho dIsappoih'
ment that otherwise would have been felt by tho
pcople Mrs. Cleveland was not aware OF Mr.. Har-
mons serious illness unt yesterday morning. Com
ing in from drive she found some 200 people walt
ing TO shake hands with her. They were mostly
visiting strangers and she would not dlsappoint them
but with her guest Miss Willard, went into tho East
Room and received the visitors. sho Will not 20 on
to attend tho funeral of Mr.. Harmon She had en-
gagged seats for the perform nance % Tannhauscr
on Monday night by the National Opera Company,
bat, of course. will not 60 She expects, however,
TO receive with the President next Thursday even
ing at the reception in honor Of the Army and Naval
officers.
Society has been mildly rather than wildly gay
this week Dinners, luncheons and teas have had
sway and few large evening parties have taxed poo
pie with late hours. Indeed, the late hours have
been given to Mrs. Poters performance of Loyal
Love" and outlet" The funny attitude of Mrs.
Potter in official circles has been a delicious little
play Of itself Her friends Of two years ago, when
she Mrs. Whltney's guest, and as an amateur
played ard read for charity we're not going TO see her
full Dedged actress In leading parts Had they
carried out their resolutions, Mrs. Potter would have
had slim houses here this week But alas for the
resolutions OF society people! When the curtain
went up on Monday night, Mrs. Potter saw in the
full and fashionable house all Of her dear five hun
dred7 and great many more 10 inspire tho very
best acting In her power.
The largest dinner party of the week of course.
given at the White House, where the :" court circle"
and other guests made company of thirty eight
Eper- -l,odv Caid wa Tho
handsomcst Of the three dinners given by the Presi-
dent this season The floral designs that used TO
prevent guests ono side Of the table from seeing
those the other have gone by, and more simple
decorations this winters fashion. Tho canOo
of carnations and roses Thursday evening was not
new to guests who had attended President Arthur'J
dinner parties, but 1t was pretty conceit and tho
floral scales Of Justice were a significant compliment
to the judges Tho Presidents wife received tho
guests In black gown of satin covered with jctted
lace Her school friend, Miss Willard, who is pretty
young woman. with finely guilty ated voice, wore
Mrs. Cleveland and Miss willard have improved
the sunny days by long walks this week about tho
West End, where the streets less frequened Tho
Presidents wife, IN her worry plain walking toilet
would stand little chance Of general recognition were
the party. Kay IS largo and handsome enough 10
attract attention, and he is already pretty well known
one Of the many luncheon parties was given by
Senator stanfords wife on "Wednesday. Yellow effects
SATIN under duchesse lace on the table. Tho cards
were water c0lors OF California flowers. Tho guests
were Pacific Coast company.
On Tuesday Mrs. Hampt' Zane gave a luncheon
to guests asked to meet Lady Tupper
There any number of teas the same after
noon. Representative McAdoOs wife. Mrs. and Miss
Trenholm, Mrs. Radcliffe, Assistant Secretary Null
drow's wife and Mrs HUXLEY Ashton were among tho
hoste e s giving tea entertainments from to z
Mrs John Hay to Young people.
On Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edwardes,
OF the British Legation, gave dinner at which the
guests were Ex-Governor and Mrs. Carroll of Mary
land: Allen ThOrndihe Rce, of New York Miss Paget,
Miss Grant, Mrs. Wright, Joseph Chamberlain and
Spring Rice.
The Argentine Minister gave dinner on the samo
evening TO young people Mr.. Quesada Il a bachelor
Mr. and Mrs Gomez, Of the Brazilian Legation. wcro
chaperOncs, and somo Of the guests were Miss Iucy
Corkhl, Miss Josephine Patton, Miss Eleanor Foster
and Mr. Gregor
The British Legation residence, closed a fortnight
ago TO social gayety, will be re-OpeDcd next week.
Tho Misses West. who have not been going out since
the death of their aunt Lady Ssckvllle will
heir plaoe in official circles.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry C. Bowen. Of brooklyn, Will
receive from to on Tuesday in their parlors at
the Arlington.
There many Tuesday evening dinner parties.
Senator Evarts, Senator Sherman and Senator German
gave dinners. Senator HiscOck gave dinner to Mr..
Chamberlain. Secretary and Mrs. Fajichld gavo
q dinner and dinner Of sixteen was given by
Professor and Mrs. Graham Bell
The German Minister gave a dinner party in the
evening
At Mrs whitney's reception on Friday evening the
drawing rooms were crowded till 10, when the guests
thnned out and young people danced an hour Mrs
whitney received In gown of white moire and tulle