Telegram-herald., 1890-01-07

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A MODEM RECEPTION
tom. Not much could b. learned about
it Il was easy enough 20 discover that
the custom antedates the recollection OF
the oldest inhabitant, and as In the Olden
days there were no society reporters, no
historians OF the drawing room, the
early history Of the White House New
Years must. no doubt. remain forever
IN some mystery. As good an author
ity as can be found on this point
SAYS the first New Years reception
al the White House was given by
Madison in 1910, Madison having caught
the idea from the customs Of the elite Of
New York. among whom be mingled
while the seat II government was at that
city. Washington Irving confirms this
By describing his call at the execu-
tive mansion New Years, 1911, be saying
OF Mrs. Madison in his lively way: "A
fine. portly. buXom dame she Is, who has
a smile and pleasant word FOR every
body. Her sisters, Mrs. Cutts and Mrs.
Washington. are like the Merry Wives q
Windsor; but as 10 Jenny Madison. ah!
poor Jenny, he Is 1u. withered little
Apple-John." Il Is c.r.ain that the New
Year reception was continued by Mon
roe throughout his administration. which
good authorities have declared 20 mark
the period Of the most highly cultured
and most distinSu sad society in Wash
ington. But those were not public re-
ceptions. They were merely for the
gentry, and invitations were issued In
1894 the first public reception was held,
and ia the old National Intelligencer Of
next morning was published congratula-
tions 70 tine public on as good behavior.
PROBABLY the custom of making New
Year calls grew ont = the affairs at the
White House. Tho ir5t private house in
Wardiuyton thrown opcu for the recep-
tiou OF visitors on Wv Years was the
TAYLOR mansion. Walsh stiu stands,
now occupied by Senator Don Cameron.
Tha. was I'm 1880. and here the members
Of she diplomatic corps had q habit Of
presenting themselves after their formal
call on the president. al arraved ia court
dresses and accompanied b. their secre-
taries and attaches. which were fully rs
numerous in those days as in this. though
I doubt II a. maoy Of the diplomatic
cubs" were sons or C-l"r rolatrcs OF
the ministers and amoa ss7dcrt ls we find
az the present time. While Dolly Nadi-
son stlll lived IN shat famous old house
Just around tho corner from Don Came
rou's mansion. the diplomatic corps and
other society leaders used 10 pay ner the
handsome compliment If proceeding IN
a body FROM the White House t. her
pariors O. wish her many rec.-ns of the
day. An OH lady who remem uers Mrs.
Madison quite well tells me that favorite
Of AZ White House favorites was a good
deal such a woman ss Mrs. Logan-a
woman of plenty Of heart and sincerity,
al frankaess aud tenderness. and yet
with lots o. tact and a s0lendit memory
for faces and names TINS old lady also
remembers that forrv Years ago Is was
the custom of the s5-te-y i4tis o. make
Of she New Year reception ~ cine White
House an occasion FOR the display II
their new gowns and bonnets aud other
winter dnery. Just "a Easter sunday a
now the recognized occasion for the dis
play q spring bonnets.
"A one looks At the well dressed and
vel bred crowds ~ people-even toe
hunblest members 4 the greas public
hooking VII and acting weii-at the
noisrn View Years reception. IN is
Led 10 the thought that our soci-
sty is growing better in form and
substance. Notwithstanding the criticisms
Of aouae rnorslists snf would be reform
srs. fancy that in manners she people
VINO make up the thron<s ne the capital
ara now much of al Improvement on
those II Jackson time. At any rate. Il
would 81 ain8ost impossible now to dupli-
carp a scens which living eve witnesses
vouch for "a having been enacted AZ the
white House whan Oi3 Hickory first
came 20 power So grea- vac the curio>l-
tv III the people - SEE f.le new presadsn5
thaf thev -.im bed o1 the hne darssk
covered chairs IN tle east room vith
Their bocts sl covered with the red -lay
Il Mar lsnd and Virginia. on the same
View y err day The friends sn6 admirers
II Jackson drank ssversl harre.s II
W1fre House punch. and a,ade the his.
tcr-c halls rirg v.th tbeir shouts ~ zlee
oI anCfher occasion thev ara no y eola
--aeSs whfch View N-rK sas-vursn haf
sanf the rrssiisnt. AMI vnich he 1s3 or
i-raa -ut f1to p0rui 7iev-s Pr the ST.
ss--afrr,sus ~ hie sI'ers Naf o-fv 3id
she -r7ri r-rEe it=elf rith CHEESE. o1t
e trerrlss vhss it tiirs -at into Ere
-.-uanz ~ tise ssst ro0w. sling the
.--srzior With chess~ factory 9a~-r.
~h5r- 4if--s -1rue out ~ be- So ssid.
r.r asvar1 weeks
sixty ~r,r- az, Chr stu1as vas svsn
-11re - ,rB5s7 ss IRE national cap ~
lszn Il Is nus ksnlosa ev.srT hsuse Ia
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