Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-01-02
rHrBAY IN wAsHISaroH.
Reception by the OEficsnls-Brfii-
liant eintierings.


which continued throughout the day,
naturally having depressing effect upon
those who had prepared programme OF
visits. The White House WAS as usual
the central point OF interest. There hove
been of course many similar occasions at
that historic mansion, but those whose
memory and experience add weight to
their judgment agree that no one OF its
predecessors has exceeded in brillianoy
the first official reoe Ution given by the
head OF the present administration. Ger
tainly never before has thare been ct the
White House receptions such large and
distinguished representation from the
other nations OF the world. This was Que
TO the presence, in addition TO the regu-
lar diplomatic and consular officers Of
other countries, of the delegates TO the
International Maritime Conference and
the delegates to the Pan-AmeFican Con-
ference. The presence of these dis
tipguished foreigners was naturally the
leading feature Of the reception.
The mansion had been specially pre-
pared for the occasion and when the re-
ception was at its height presented a
| spectacle Of unususl beauty and splen.
der. The full Marine Band, in gay uni
| forms OF red and blue, was stationed in
the vestibuio Just inside the main en-
frances with but intermiesions played
lively ana Inspiring music from the time
the President took his stand at The head
| OF the receiving line in the Blue Parlor
until the last of the callers had taken his
departure, q period OF little over three
hours. The interior decorations, while
not elaborate, 1ers very etfectiye, con-
sissing OF a liberal distribution of tropical
and Towering plants in all places where
they could be displayed to advantage.
The general effect WAS also bright
ened by the brilliant illumination of
ell the psriors, the bright gaslight
being reflected from myFiads OF rides
cent crystals and numerous French
plate glass mirrors. Tall India rubber
plants mingled with delicate ferns and
Ivy lined the main corridor and filled
every Rloove. In the East Room oppo.
site tho corridor was a large bank of
tropical plants tastefuliy arranged, reach
ing nearly to the ceiling and the many
broad mantels Of the East Room were
orramented with choice plants in gilded
pots. Tho red and green psrlors also
contained protusion Of plants and
flowers, but the Blue Parlor where the
reception was actually held, gave indica-
| tlOu OI uhNllB 1oCoiNS0 BEChNcE ohNAo
of attention from the decorators. In this
room, in addition to liberal display Of
rare plants, ferns and emilsx, there was q
profusion OF cut flowers including
roses, pibsettns tulips, oameliRs, hya-
cinths, ezsleas, carnations, jnponinas aad
bsgonias. These were banked in bright
designs upon the mantels and served to
form huge bouquet on the central divan.
| Inn Of
room was concealed by number OF tall,
large leAyed plants, which formed beau
tiful background for the receiving party.
The reception proper did not begin until
II o'clock, but the Vice president and the
members of the cabinet with the ladies
Of their families arrived shortly before
that hour and were shown directly into
the Presidents presence in the private
parior upstairs. When everything was in
readiness tho President and party ds-
seconded to the Blne Parlor and took their
places in line. The Marine Band signaled
their arrival with the familiar air "Hail
to the Ohief." This party entered the
Blue Room in the following order: Dol.
Ernest, U. 8. A., and Lieut.. Parker U. 3.
, N; the President and Mrs. Mckee the
. Vioe-presiden. and Mrs. Morton; the
Secretary Of State and Mrs. s. B. Rlkins;
the Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs
Windom the Attorney general and Mrs.
, Miller; the Postmnster-general and Mrs
, Wansmaker; the Secretary Of the NavJ
and Mrs. Tracy; the Secretary Of the
Interior and Mrs. Noble, the Dec
rotary OF Agriculture and Mira. Busl
and the Secretary of War and Mrs. Logan
a Col Ernest Of the army and Lieut.. Parkel
: of the navy, acted as masters of oere
monies, the former making the pressnta
: tlona to the President, except in cases o
especial presentations, and the latter re
pesting the introductions to Mrs. Mckee
who occupied the place next to the Presi
: dent. The other ladies assisting wer
1 ranged next, in order as follows Mrs
! Morton, Mrs. Window, Mrs. Miller, Mrs
8 Wanamaker, MIRA. Tracy, Mrs. Noble ant
q Mrs. Rusk.
! The toilettes OF the ladies' wer
/. sinRularly rich and becoming and wer
, greatly admired on all sides. Mrs. McKe
a wore beautiful dress OF white armur
l liz, with square neck and full elboy
r sleeves, made la Martha Washington
k the front being embroidered in whit
a ''Mousseline de boie.n Her ornament
. were diamonds. Her manner wa
3 gracious and cordial and added to he
a delicate beauty created decidedly favor
able impression. She carried a larg
bouquet of Catherine mermot roses an
followed the example of her mother il
J. acknowledging general introductions b
l. q bow instead of by shaking hands. Th
n President, however, adheres to preceden
l. and shook hands with each one Of tn
It thousands who called. Back of the II
II ceivipg line we're large numbs
!. of specially invited friends, includin
., nearly all the debutsntes OF the season
le Among them were the following. name
ladies; Mrs. Harlan, Mrs. Logan, Mri
Hale, Mrs. German Mrs. Mcmillan, Mr.
Hleoock Mrs. Plat, Mrs Pugh, Nfi
Quay, Mrs. Cockrell, Ers. Reed, Mrt
N Carlisle, Mrs. Burrows, Mrs. Springer
at Mrs. Lodge, Mrs. Buttesworth, the Mise
3 Blaine and guests, Miss WsnGp,aker an
y guests, the Kisses HslsFeRd the Mise
10 Window, the Misses Ernest, Mrs. Glover
IS Hiss Miller and Miss Rusk, Mrs. Druu
Mrs. Ernest, Mrs. j. V. FinalRy, Mrs. I
Nj. G. Brown, Mrs. william u. Barri
Mics Maude Gouverneur, Miss Anna Wi
y son, Mrs. s. b. Elsins, Mrs. ChErl'
u Emory Smith of Philadelphia, Mii
4 Shepard of New York, Miss Grace Dav
D Miss Hslford Rnd guest, Mrs WilmerC
ing, Mics Tracy, Mrs. and Miss Rsusdel
:, Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Emmor
. Blsioe.
:, The members OF the diplomatic corr
- were first received. They were presen;e
a. by Secretary Blaine, assisted by 9th,
:, officers of the State Department. A
y were in full court costume and added
brilliant coioring to the scene with the
jeweled orders and protusion OF gold lac,