The Washington critic., 1889-02-22
A PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION.

President and Mrs. Cleveland held their
last reception to the public last night. and
though 10000 persons passed down the re-
ceiving line, yet there were many who failed
to gain entrance to the Executive Mansion
after hours. of waiting. Mrs. Cleveland
was assisted by Mrs. Endicott, Mrs Whit
ney, Mrs. Dickinson aud Mrs. Colman. Be
hind the receiving line were assembled
number of distinguished people They in
cluded Mr.. and Mrs. Stetson OF New York,
Hon Daniel Dougherty, Marshal Wilson,
ex-Commissioner Dent, Chief Justice Full
ler Secretary Colman, Miss Daisy Gar
ored velvet; Judge Drake, Mr.. Bronson
I Howard Judge SHOEMAKER of New York;
Secretary Maynard, Mr.. William Endcott,
Miss Thoron Mr.. Samuel Ward of New
York, Mrs. Folsom, Mrs. Lamont, Mrs.
John NJ. Wilson, Miss Leila Waller, Mrs.
Stockbridge, Miss Hecking and Miss Clarke
of Detroit, Miss Wadsworth of Genesse,
+ NY; Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. A. A. Wilson,
Mrs. Scott Townsend, Mrs Scott, Miss
! Gussie Wilson, Miss Villas, Miss Florence
+. Bayard, Mrs. Maynard
II hCthItsbouNtnt, WuV Boht
the "mill,n descrbesit as follows: We are
here tosee what a State reception is like,
and passing inside we find large vestibule
occupied by the Marine Band. The State
dinner hall has, been converted into cloak
room, and .thither the guests push and
crowd. ltis crush, but having finally eS-
perienced the pleasure Of seeing their
costly. wraps dumped upon the floor, they
return to- tho vestibulc and take their
places in 'the line" Here the crush IA
greater than ever Trains must be taken
up in hand, aud flowers must be held st
ones face TO prevent their utter ruin, Step
by step, slowly and somewhat painfully, the
people move along, now advancing few
inches, now halting, again moving with
the current. Many wish to leave the line
after once getting In It, but It. is too late
Unless you are squeezed into an eddy no
choice remains for you but TO go with the
crowd.
PLEASANT ANTICIPATioNs.
In twenty or thirty minutes, you have
traversed the, vestibule and the corridor,
and stand now at the door of the Green
Room. Through the door of this apart
ment, to your left, is caught a glimpse of a
line OF ladies standing and shaking, hands
with passing guests. Nearest youi is man
similarly engaged. Back of them is
| lovely hank of society flowers, debutantes
and matrons, with a few manly uniforms
sandwiched In. This is the Americancourt,
and rs you take q few steps nearer 1t you
| feel sort of elation, glow Of satisfaction.
| You are TO meet, face to face, shake by the
hand, the President and his wife, ''What
! will she think of mes" the young man asks
himself "What shall say to herr' The
young woman is busy with similar antici-
pations. Is Il not great thing to be able to
get an introduction to the President of this
| great nation and his. lovely wife, to con-
| verse with them, to look into their eyess
GOING THROUGH THE HOPPER.
| But now your turn comes, Just inside
the door of the Red Parlor stands, Colonel
Wilson. Your eyeis on the President and
| what you have determined to say. The
Marshal, however, interrupts, your dream
with the prosaic query;
! Shame, please?n H
| 1t is shock to you when you realize tha,
! you must thus curtly introduce yourself to
the Marshal that he may introduce you t.
the President. But there is no otheriway
and you announce your name
| ''Mr and Mrs. Smith ''' the Marshal
calls out in a loud voice as you pass be
4 fore the President. Now the supreme mo
ment has come. You are on a level with
royalty. Now is the time for your pretty
speech, and for the sweet and CHEEKY little
conversation you have planned
Somehow, things do not come your way.
Twenty seconds later you are walking into
the Blue. Room. Tho American court II
behind you. All you are conscious Of Is q
hazy, indistinct recollection of having
touched the Presidents hand and the hant
ofsthe Presidents wife. At the moment Of
contact the President had looked straight
into your eyes for one full second, and said
"Glad to see you."' Then his grip relaxed
and you saw his, face turn. to the mex
conner He was through with Mr.. Smitl
and ready for Mr.. Jones' or course, undo
such circumstances, you deferred you littl
talk and passed along. s..sa baa.
Your. memory tells you also. of toucl
of Mrs. Cleyeland's fingers, o momentar,
look into her face, and then you were moy
ing again. You did not know the ladie
Of the Cabinet, and hence you had tn
honor of walking in front of them Will
they looked rather tired and bored. AL
this comes to you as you pass on. to tn
East Room, closely followed by Mr.. Jones
Mr.. Green, Mr.. Gray and Mr.. Black, VIII
have come thr0ughthe mill as rapidly n
yourself.
WHERE THE FUN BEGINS.
Now you begin to wonder where the. ,fu
comes IN You pinch yourself and nquir
II there Is any enjoyment in It, You hav
spent, in dressing, riding, pushing an
crowding, two hours; II, twenty seconds al
yon came for has been realized. You fet
humiliated, little, inconsequential. Yo
realize that State reception is stupid, a
most ridiculous. You say to yourself 20
will never do 1t again. You say to you
companion that It is a pity We have boz
rowed so much from the European MOI
archies in our ceremonial affairs. "Why,
you hotly declare, ~ have suffered in IN
self-respect from having passed throug
that human hopper. II Ia as bad us payin
homage TO a king or queen, except that
touched royalty's fingers instead of bendin
my knee
This is, just what other people are thinl
ing. But they start in TO make the best {
bad bargain. They promenade the corr
dors, visit the conservatory and elbow an
push their way through the crowded, su
focating East Room. They meet and cha
with their friends, gaze curiously at til
diplomatic gentlemen, return to the Gree
Room and peep into the Red Parlor an