, 1889-01-02
NEW YEARS DAY.
A Brilliant Reception at the
White House.
The Receiving Rooms Beauti.
fully Decorated.
Description of the Dresses Worn
by the Ladies.

brilliant spectacle than to-day on the oc-
casion Of the presidents New Year recep-
ton. Special pains were taken with the
decorations and the beautiful suit of par
lors where the reception was held never
appeared to better advantage. There was
a profusion of flowers and plants dis
tributed with charming effect. The
choicest flowers were placed in the blue
parlor where the receiving party stood,
but the most elaborate floral decorations
were in the east room, where the visitors
spent a few minutes in social converse
after having paid their respects. The
mantels were covered with many hued
flowers and f%estoons of grasses and ferns
suspended from the large chandeliers. Tall
palms were placed in the windows and
corners and tropical plants of all kinds
lined the corridor running through the
center of the house. The large divan in
the east room was ornamented with a
beautiful vase containing a large palm of
different hues. Part of the lower floor
was Illuminated by gas but the sunlight
was given full play in the east room. The
weather was bright and cool, and the sun
shinings. in facts everything was most
suspicious.
The reception began at IL O'Clock, at
which hour the receiving party descended
the stairs and took places in the parlor.
As they appeared in sight the Marine
band, stationed In the main hall, played
Hail to the Chief" and co ntinued play
ing it until the party had taken positions.
A passage was made for them through
the crowd that had already gathered in
the house. They came in the following
order: Col. Wilson and Lieut.. Luvall of
the army, the president and Miss Bayard,
Secretary Bayard and Mrs. Cleveland,
Secretary Fairchild and Mn. Whitney,
Secl etary Endicott and Mrs. Fairchild,
Secretary Whitney and Mrs. Dickinson
and Secretary Villas and Postmaster Cen
eral Dickinson. They took places with
the president and Mrs. Cleveland first in
line. Then Miss Bayard, Mrs. Fairchild,
Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Dickinson in the
order named grouped behind them. There
were a number of invited guests. includ-
ing Mrs Folsom, Mrs. Chief Justice
Fuller, Mrs. Speaker Carlisle, Miss Flor
ence Bayard, Miss Villas, Miss Pauline
Whitney, Mrs. Lamont. Hon. Hugh Nc
Culloch and Mrs. McCulloch, Mrs. Hearst
and G. p. Breckenridge. The reception
proper began with the presentation of the
members of the diplomatic corps, all in
full court dress, many Respondent with
rich Jewels and gold lace.
The president wore a black Prince
Albert suit with black tie. Mrs. Cleve-
land wore a beautiful robe of pale pink
faille made with round train, corsage
rnItnHaH Of fha ton and phort elaanna Tln
front of the skirt was draped in silver
embroidered net and had a fringe of
bugles at the foot. On either side we're
plain panels of soft French gray silk EN-.
broidered in the pattern of rosebuds in
silver. The back of the panels was edged
with heavy Russian fur that commenced
at the waist line and continued around
the pink train. The back of the dress
was princess-shaped. with pink folds on
the waist and festooned with pink en-
broidery. The front was jacket shaped,
rounded, and fell over a full vest of pink
silk draped with white net. The sleeves
of pink were short puffs, edged on the
arm with pearl bands. The low body
was edged with heavy fur. She wore a
diamond necklace and a diamond star il
her hair, which was dressed in loops on
the top of her head. Her gloves were of
soft pearl color.
Miss Bayard, who stood next, wore a
short dress of Blue brocade with pointed
body back and front, upon which were
laid folds of gauze. Sprays of white lilac
adorned the body and a kirtle of gauze
was draped about the upper part of the
skirt. The sleeves were cut to the elbow
and her hair was dressed high, with a blue
feather.
Mrs. Fairchild wore a trained dress of
plain colored silk, body cut low, and the
train was Of the silk. The front was
draped with frills OF lace and the petticoat
of dull white satin. Across the front of
the low body was tied a ichu of lace,
knotted at one side.
Mrs. Whitney wore a superb gown of
white brocade made with high bodice and
a train. Down the front of the bodice
and skirt were folds Of yellow satin and
gold embroidery. The high collar was
fastened with a three stone diamond pin.
She wore a great diamond star in gold
embroidery on the bod ce and a diamond
spray in her hair. On her shoulder was
a large ruby set with diamonds.
Mrs. Dickinson's dress was pale green
silk embroidered in silver, with a train of
same material. The front was draped in
pale green tulle and the low body was
draped in tulle. She wore a black ribbon
about her throat.
The usual cabinet receptions were held
this afternoon. The British legation was
represented by Mr.. Michael Herbert,
charge d'affuires, and Mr.. George Bar
clay.
The most striking costumes we're those
worn by the representatives of China,
Russia. France and Corea. Hadie Has.
slen Khouli, the new Persian minister,
attracted the most attention. He is the
first representative of that country &C
credited to the United States. The col
umn was headed by Count Fara, Italian
minister, the Oldest in point of residence
at this capital OF those in attendance. Ii
was explained that Mr.. Preston, Haytian
minister, who is dean of the corps, wa
prevented from taking his accustomed
place at the head Of the line by reason Of
business which required his presence in
New York.