Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-02
LIKE FARMLAND.
|SHg WHITE HOUSE A BOWER OF
FLOWERS AND PLANTS
ne President and Mira Harrison Receive
brilliant Observation-Disclosures Bsnqusn
WHILE Hss House 10 Burning.


" ,sHrxorox. d. O., January 1.-The year
1885, opened wet, disagreeable. and gloomy,
ed with the streets 30 filed with slush and
melting snow that pcdestrianism was di,n-
cuit and decidedly unpleasant. Eew-Year's
dav. however, was generally observed,
Notwithstanding the weather. The Prcsi-
dents reception was, Of course. the sociai
feature OF the day. and the fact that the
Chief Magistrate of the nation gives the
anniversary his official sanction explains
10 A larye extent why the custom OF
"calling" on the first day OF the year CON
tinues 10 be so universally observed III
Washington.
rHr HISTORIC WHITE HOUSE..
which has been the scene o. 80 many brii-
liant spectacles, never looked pretuer tha n
4 did to-day, special pains having been
faken with the decorations and everything
done 10 make the mansion as attractive a.
poxalble The Government conservatofles
and lighthouses were taxed TO their utmost
capacity for flowers and plants, and the
supply being inadequate TO meet the Presi-
| dents desire. recourse was had 10 private
dealers. In fact, 1t was found necessary 70
no TO New York and Philadelphia for some
Of the flowers used in the devices.
1AsrKruL DECORATIONS.
These were all Of a patriotic character,
being fac-ssmiles Of the flag of the Union
And the national coat-of-arms. both Of
which were prominently displayed In DIFF
ferent parts OF the house. The decorations
were confined 10 flowers and plants. but
the general effect of the scene was bright
ened by the system of electric lights which
has Just been introduced IN the house.
While there was liberal dispiay IN the
Red and Green Parlors. II did not compare
NTH the beautiful profusion of flowers and
plants IN the beautiful Blue Parlor, where
The receptiori proper was held, or the large
and stately East Room, where callers IN
Cered afterwards TO exchange friendly
greetings.
FORESTS OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS.
Indeed. the walls of the latter room were
almost obscured by mass Of large-ieafed
palms and other tropical plants; Inc WIN
dow recesses were similarly hlled IN WIN
green. On the Inantels beneath the ioui
large mirrors were banks Of the choicest
exotics in variegated colors, and from the
three large chandeliers. with their myriads
of crystals siringsyof sinilay. and delicate
ferns were suspended IN graceful folds;
The unusual beauty OF the decorations ana
their tasteful arrangement were subjects
of general praise.
HAL TO The CHIEF"
The reception began at IL o'clock. the
receiving party taking their places IN
the Blue Parlor. At that hour, 70 the
familiar strains OF HAL TO the oniei,
was stationed in the vestibule just inside
the main entrance, Vice-President Morton
and Mrs. Morton. and all the members OF
the Cabinet, with the ladies of their tani-
lies, with the exception OF Mrs; Blame;
had previously joined the President and
Mrs. Harrison. and followed them GOWN
Al
gentlemen, with the exception OF the
President. retired 10 the rear OF the Blue
Parlor, where large number OF invited
guests had already gathered.
THE RECEIVING PARTY
then formed in line between the entrance
and exit doors in the following order:
The President and Mrs Harrison. Mrs.
Morton and Mrs. Window, Mrs. Proctor.
Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Wanemaker. Mrs. Noble
and Mrs. Rusk. The following-named
ladies also assisted in the reception, taking
places in the BlueRo back of the line
Mrs. Mckee. Mrs. Russell b. Harrison,
Mrs. Dimmick, and Mrs. George W. Boyd.
az Philadelphia, Miss Blaine. the Misses
Window, Miss Miller Miss Wanamaker,
the Misses Halstead, Miss Rusk, Miss JEAN
cite Halford. Mrs. Blackburn, Miss Aid
rich. Mrs Blair, Mrs. Carrier, Mrs. Gray
Mrs. Hearst. Mrs. Jones, of Arkansas; Mrs.
J.F. Andrews. Mrs. Cogswell. Mrs. Dazell.
Mrs. Hit, Mrs. Groswener. the Misses
ridge. Mrs. General Sheridan, Mrs.
Andrews. Mrs Joseph C. Breckenridge,
Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Raining, Mrs. Solely,
Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Van Keypen. MIS-. Har-
mony, Mrs. Catlin. Miss Rachel Sherman,
Mrs n. l.. Anderson. Miss Rutter, Mrs.
Ransdell. Mrs. Bates. Mrs. Haywood, Mrs.
William T. Harris. Miss Warheld, Miss
Rherrill. Miss Thompson. Mrs. J. w. Eos
Ter. Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. White, Mrs.
John Hay, Mrs. and Miss Wsrder, Miss
Kitchener, Mrs. Clarksou. Mrs. +. q. Gard
ncr. Mrs. Alexander, and Miss Alice San
ger.
THE DIPLOMATS.
The members Of the diplomatic corps
were first received. They were nearly Oil
present. All wore full court costumes,
which in many cases. notably those OF the
Russian, German, Austrian, French. and
Chinese Ministers, were Of the most cor:
Ceous description. They were presented
by Secretary Blaine and Assistant-Secre-
tary Wharton and made brilliant specta-
Gle with their glittering jewels, gold braid
and clanking swords. Baron fava. OF italy,
dean Of the corps by virtue OF seniority Oh
service. led the procession, followed 10y
Senior Romero. Of Mexico. Nearly all Of
the diplomats were accompanied by ladies'.
SIR Julian PauncefOrt, the British Minister
was accompanied by his family and all the
members OF the British Legation with theIr
families The Chinese Legation, however
was most numerous and the Deautiful
silken court robes were much admired,
Accompanying the corps were memoers
OF the International Monetary Conference
and members OF the American lnterna
tional Railway Conference.
THE SUPREME COURT AND TIE NJ. c.'s.
They were followed soon after by the
Chief Justice and Associate Justices OF thu
United States Supreme Court. the Judges
Of the United States Court of Claims, anc
the judiciary of the District OF Columbia
These were followed soon after 10y the
Senators and Representatives IN Congress
and officers of the District government.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
As usual the army and navy and tht
Marine Corps were strongly represented
Major-General Schoheld headed tne arm,
line and Commodore Ramsey the navy
All the officers were in full-dress uniform
and their presence added brilliancy anc
animation to the scene.
FIRK-ALkRM.
While they were being presented and JUS,
after the departure of the diplomats. word
circulated through the rooms that Score
tary Blaine's house was on fire. General
alarm was manifested at the report, as II
was supposed the entire diplomatic corps
were Secretary Blsine's guests at break.
fast at the time. Couriers were dispatched
90 the scene, and general relief was expe-
rienced ut their report that all was well al
Mr.. Blaine's present residence, and that his
guests were at that moment in the full en-
joyment Of his hospitality.
The story originated from the fact that
the FIRE was in house built by Mr.. Blaine
but occupied by MIR. Letter, Of Chicago.
TIE sMALLER POTATOES.
The reception was interrupted for
short time only by this incident and there
were presented in rapid succession the Re
gents and Secretary of the Smithsonian In
stitution, the Civil Service Commissioners
the Interstate Commerce Commissioners
the Assistant Secretaries of the Depart
uents. the Assistant Postiaaster-General
the Solicitor General the Assistant Attor
ney- General. the Commissioner OF Labor