New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-02
THE PRESIDENTS LEVEE.
MR.. CLEVELANDS LAST NEW YEAR REOEP-
TON AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
MRS. CLEVELAND THE CENTRAL FIGURE OF
BRILLIANT .AFFAIR-NOTABLEF FIGURES IN
THE LINE-THE PUBLIC RECEPTION
A SOLEMN AFFAIR.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

SOLEMN AFFAIR.
GBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TKBuSE.l
Washington JAN LII the Presidents lcvee at the
White House today Is any sign, there are no duh
days ahead for the outgoing Administration. 1t was
President Clevcland's last New Year reception, but
not least in its brilliant success. on the contrary
In many things II was the most successful and bright
est OF his four New Year receptions. The White
House was particularly attractive, and outside Cleve
land weather. was supreme. For the first time since
the election the American flag hoated from It's stan
over the Executive Mansion.
The President heretofore the stroke Of tho clock
was late. Perhaps 1t was the Presidents wife or
some Of the receiving party but all the same 1t was
seven minutes after IL o'clock when the relocated
marine band struck up the music Two minutes later
the President and Miss Baya led the way to the Blue
Room, ia which the reception was held. MIS- CleVc-
land, the arm Of Secretary Bayafd, followed, ana
with them were Secretary and Mrs. fairchd, score
tery and Mrs Whitney, the PostmasicrGeneral ana
Ms. Dickinson Secretary Endlco;t and Secretary
Villas Mrs Endicot Is ont of town, and Mrs |iiass
Ill health kept her at home Atorney-General Car
land who had never graccd a New Year reception
with his presence made exception In favor OF Pres
ldent Clcveand's last New Year levce. HIS daugh-
ter debutantc this season, one of the graceful
young women back OF the receiving line. Tho Blue
Room dcckcd with white azacas; scarlet ponse'-
tia and palms placed In the window niches ana
bright-hucd flowers were on the maniels There was
good deal of sunlight and little soft easiight, and
altogether # was beautiful room. But If Mrs
Cevelands radiant face did rot touch the whole win
an Irresistible charm. then there no believing inc
nine people out Of ten who said so. Mrs. CleveHhd
to-day was very like herself at her bridal reception
two years and a half ago. There were The same
charming naralness, the fresh. happy face and win
ming smile, all captivating 10 the people theh'
Her gown was not one to be described in detail. Let
A IN hat Vae "A
falIe ard French gray net embroidered in silver
The woman, picture of youth. beauty. health and
general fascination, the attraction. and Mrs
Clevoland's toilet had second place among her adj
mirers to-day. One uncouth but honest citizen told
the whole story when he said TO his companion: Il
can't for my life tell my wife what Mrs. Cleveland had
on. Her face just brOOe me up, and when she shook
hands l forgot all about her cothes'
The President showed the influence Of his wlfes
radiant presence. He in the best Of spirits and
gave smiling welcome 10 everybody. The Blue
Room crowded with company Invited to witness
the reception Including friends and relatives of the
Cabinet families, making holiday visits, at the Capt
tai One Of the gayest in the room was George Ban
croft, who appeared early, revving the fashion Of
evening dress by wearing tho claw-hammer coat ana
white neckte. The old man. who is in his eighty
ninth year. laughed and talked with the merrest. his
voice rising above all Others
The Diplomatic Corps %as not as large as usual on
New Years Day. The absence of lord saekville and
his attractive daughters remarked and the reason
for It not forgotten. The IIaytan Minister and his
family were also absent. Baron Fava- the Italian
Minister, led the diplomats who wero presented by the
Secretary Of state. Their uniforms and icweed
orders gave much gorgeous coorne 10 the scene, and
relieved the sombrc black OF American bgoadcoth
Among the new diplomats the German Minister IS
a conspicuous lcuc. Count Won Arco Valley Is
tall blond man, whose physique at once suggests The
German soldier. IFS uniform Of deik-binc and gold,
sparhlcd with decorations. His sister. Coun-
tess Won Arco Valley, wOe carriage
toilet Of dark brown Countess sIonncck. wife OF Tie
Danish Minister, carriage costume Of white
wool and green velvet in the gown, with whe bonnet
Others of the corps were tie Mexican Minister ana
wife, the Hawaiian Minister wife and daughter tho
Japanese Minister and Secretaries the Chinese, FRENCH
Spanish and Persian Minister'S The Corcan Secretaries
and the Russian and British Charges d'Adaics. After
being presented the President aud Mrs. Cleveland
the diplomats paid their respects 10 the ladies' As
sisiing, and then looked over the lne' with half
amused expressions their faces.
The Blue Room was more than fil and yet the
diplomats, according TO custom were expected TO stop
awhile to exchange the pliments Of the season.
II IS well known that foreigners regard american
houses as ovcrheaiei. The Blue Room was certainly
ovcrcrow,sd. and It was ovcrwarm. However, ono
after anoiicr of the corps pushed back OF the limo
until the jam and heat became TOO much for the most
polite diplomat 10 endure above three minutes.
when they struggled ont Of the American crowd
and passed through TO the East Room and IT'S open
windows they expressed hcir satisfaction In audible
tones and long drawn whifs Of relief.
After the diplomats came representatives from
the Judicial and Congressional circles Chief Justice
Fuller with his wife and daug tors the Fuller girls
a young woman Just behind them saidJustce and Mrs
Harlan, Justice ard Mrs. Hlatchforl. Justice Gray.
Justice and Miss Bradley Senator and Mrs Cochrell,
senator Wahall and his pretty daughter. Miss Court
ney wathaII Senator Morrill, and the ladies Of his
family, Senator and Mrs Paddock senator Spooners
wife and little son. Senator Camcrons wife and baby.
Representative and Mrs. Burrows. Representative and
Mrs La Toilette and Representative and Mrs Springer
were among the number greeting the President and
his wife with New Year wishes.
The Army and Navy officers made a line Of bright
color and were followed by comrades of the q. \. r..
The beauty of the day tempted visitors outside, and at
no place, except in the Blue Eoom did a crowd
inger
The reception to ths public began before O'Clock.
The line outside was long one Tho introdncuons
were dropped after the fist half hour, and as the
people fled rapidly through. the Handwriting went
on in q somewhat solemn silence. Mrs. Cleveland.
Mrs Farchild and Mrs Dickinson remained with the
President until the public reception was over DC
casonany the silence would De broken by some IT.
reprcsslblc citizen who felt bound to do more than
shake the hands Of the President and bis Wife
by Colonel wilson: Mr. President, Dr. Mary Walker
The President gave her hearty handgrsip, but his
face showed no surprise. II there was any change
I'm Mrs Clevclands face, it was 10 make her panncr
even more gracious than before.
The finest compliment paid the Presidents wife
was by shabbily clad man with patch over one
eve But the vision OF the other eye good. lie
graspcd tho President by the hard and exclaimed
Mr. President, I've como long way to wish you
Happy New Year; / wish you thousand Mr.
prasidout do lie then turned to Mrs Cleveland.
and lookng up 10 her facc, aslow with smiles. gasped
bestaed ialchOhod, and chen with thc chciNcsccncc
~ a champagne cork, burst ont with and Mrs.
cleveland ] say, God bless YOU Mrs. Cleyeand'
The secretary OF state and HIS daughters gave a
breakfast to the Diplomatic Corps a. II o'clock
Others of the Cabinet receiving after O'Clock were
secretary and Mis- FaiIchid, Secretary and MIS-.
whitney the PostmastcfG cncral and Mrs. Dickinson,
sccrcaiy villas and his daughter, and tie Attorney
General and his daughter
The only Cabinet house not open today was that
~ secretary Endlcott which IS closed account OF
the death Of General schOfcld WIG.