Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09
SOCIAL MATTERS.
A Review Of the Brilliant Season and
What Is In Prospect-Personal Notes.

A Review OF the Brilliant Season and
What Is In Prospect-PersonalN Notes.
The oficial season that closed with the dawn
Of Ash Wednesday, this week, has been one Of
the longest and gayest known in this city. The
high officials Of Mr.. Cleveland's government
when they found their party had been defeated
at the polls in November, resolved to make the
winter memorable one in Washington society,
and they did 90. It is generally and heartily
conceded on ali sides that the ladies who were
most prominent in the past administration
we're in every way q credit to American woman
hood They were models Of good breeding.
correct carriage upon all occasions, and they
we're fully equipped with all the social graces
that go TO make hfe at the capital Q delightful
episode in the existence of anyone called here
for o time. In addition to the schedule of off,
cial dinners and receptions that official etiquette
requires Of the President and the members of
has cabinet, especial efforts in hospitality were
put forth by the White House circle for the en-
tertainment Of guests at the capital. Mrs.
Cleveland took up new line Of procedure,
and herself gave evening entertainments at the
white House that were greatly enjoyed by the
few who were invited to partake Of her per-
sonai favor as thus demonstrated It was the
FIRST year Of the three that she spent here that
she assumed the duties of hostess with anything
IKE personal responsibility attaching to the act,
and in her inexperience did not know how to
extract the greatest and most lasting pleasure
Monday evening receptions a benefit for a
small circle, and they earned the epithet Of
being exclusive; and everybody who has studied
Washington society il aware that an official ex-
ciusiveness AZ a social state has ever been
avoided by the elegant social leaders whose
names stand forth upon the records Of the
nation to-day. One of the most elegant host
esses ever seen at the capital was the late Mrs.
frelinghuysen, and her card receptions during
the late General Arthur's administration were
at nah aft hal had hon
been known
The family Of Secretary Bayard emerged
from q period Of mourning, caused by a double
domestic calamity in which the whole country
sympathized and bravely took up the position
In society that is a heredity in il. Mr.. Bayard
and the Misses Bayards four card evening re-
ceptions in January and February were greatly
enjoyed by widely spread circle of resident
and official families. In their parlors the recip-
tents OF their favor were proud to accost each
other and be recognized Of men, Secretary
and Mrs. Endicott contributed one brilliant
evening reception to the winter, and as, beftted
Mira Endicotts health, made up the fullness Of
pleasant hospitality with a series of elegant
DINNERS. Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild had
their plans Of entertainment interrupted by
the death Of the Secretary's father. 1t is not
smiss to say here that only hostesses who en-
tartain in the most lavish manner can afford
to invite from their lists to after-dinner recep-
tons. The Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
whitney viii, however, stand at the head of
any story that purports to relate the social his
tory OF the late democratic administration, as
having done the honors Of it. In the matter of
superb dinners, Official and private balls and
card receptions, they left nothing in the way
of princeiy entertainment to be desired. The
seven large card receptions that they gave on
the Friday nights throughout the season were
marvels Of royal house parties. The beautiful
rooms, the lights, flowers, and toilets. and the
superb supper, with trained attendants, made
up series Of entertainments that stand unri-
vailed in this country. Others may follow in
this path, but none have preceded the Whit
neys who poured out their money and favors
Ike water for the welfare of this community.
And the company was culled from those who
made the small concession of calling to pay
their respects to the cabinet officers household
and there met the social stars Of every city in
the country as they happened to be in this CITY,
Mrs. Dickinson entertained her friends whom
she wished to especially favor with series Of
noon musicales, to which invitations we're given
verbally, and the events were most enjoyable.
Other notably important social events of the
winter we're the large card receptions given by
Senator and Mrs. Cocktail, Mr.. and Mrs. s. NJ
Bryan, Mr.. and Mrs. B. II. Warner, Senator
and Mrs Hearsts beautiful balls the charity
ball, the very successful army and navy bali,
DR.. and Mrs. Pope's musicale, the dinner
dances that were enjoyed at Mrs. Whitney's
and Mrs John r. McLean's, Mrs. Nelson
of January dinners, Madame Romero's after
noon dances at the Mexican legation, Mrs. d.
p. Aorgan's small dances, Mr.. and Mrs. OAR
hngtons superb card receptions, DIR. and Mrs
Geo. B. Loring's Saturday night Conversations
and Mrs. J. c. Bancroft Davis elegant We'd
nesday evening receptions, and the very bril-
LIANT card reception given by the Japanese
minister and Mrs. Mutsu at the legation in
honor Of the adoption of q constitution by the
government, and Mr.. and Mrs. Cabelrs pleas
ant informal entertainments. And in addi-
ton TO these night affairs the afternoons of
every day Of the week have been crowded with
teas, readings musicales and days at home"
for which preparations this year have been as
elaborate as for any invited company. There
10 little wonder that the first days of lent might
see a season Of quiet in Washington. But the
outlook Ii not of that character.
Al the head Of the newly-constructed social
world in Washington there are a number of
ladies' who are not new to the forms and cere-
monies and possibilities of social life at the
national capital Mrs. Harrison has her own
theories Of the duties devolving upon the first
Lady Of great broad land like this one is, and
they are by no manner Of means the ideas of
an amateur in social matters, but of
thoroughly competent. well-bred Ameri-
can woman whose sound judgement,
good sense and kindly heart will direct her in
the right way. Associated with Mrs Harrison
are such wen known social leaders in this and
other countries as Mrs Levi p. Morton and
Mrs. Blaine. There is every reason to assume
that the administration will be a brilliant
one socially, even though this city
were not rapidly becoming an import
ant social center by reason of the high
standing Of its resident families. Mrs Har-
rison has set apart an hour each afternoon
from to 4, in which she will see callers by ap-
pointment. These levees are informal but
most charming, and hosts Of Mrs Harrison's
friends Of four years ago are renewing the ac-
quAintanceship. Mrs. Harrison has with her ON
thess occasions her daughter, Mrs. Mckee, and
Mrs.. Russell Harrison and, yesterday, Miss
Newcomer, Of indianapolis, who had arrived
tbe day before. This afternoon they
win have an addition to the party Of
Mis- Lima Mckee, Of Indianapolis, who
came last night Among the callers yesterday
we're Mrs. and Miss Blaine, Senator and Mrs
and Miss Ingalls,, Mrs. Stoekbridge, Mrs. j. @.
CArlisle, Mr.. and Mrs. A. A. Wilson. Lieut. and
Mrs. Duvall, Mrs. Morrill,, Miss Swan, Mrs. and
0iss Hill, Judge Drake, Mrs. n. s. Lincoln
Mrs. Clayton McMichael, Mrs Goodloe, Mrs
and Misc Goodloe, of Kentucky, d. I. 8. Ham,
In, and Col Jno. N. Wilson.
The President and Mrs. Harrison are arrang-
ing TO give q card reception for their friends to
meet the oficial family at an early date. The
event VIII furnish . mild Lenten dissipation.
An occasion Of national importance will be
tie golden wedding anniversary of Admiral and
Mn. Porter, for which beautifully engraved
cards OF invitation have been Issued
The young midshipmsn and Miss Pat
srson, daughter Of Commodore Pstter-
son. who was with General jackson
~ New Orleans. were married at the navv-vsrd