New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
SPRING IN WASHINGTON.
WARMTH AND FLOWERS AND DECoRoUs
GATHERINGS.
EXCITEMENT ALL DEPARTED-wET WEATHER
PREVENTED THE ANNUAL EGG RoLLING-A
DINNER GIVEN BY THE BRITISH MINIS
TER AND LADY PAUNCEFoTE.

TER AND LADY PAUNcEFoTE.
Washington, April lathe week has been
one OF social inactivity and summer heat.
With the mercury well up in the eighties
there was, nevertheless the annual certainty
that this sudden spell Of unreasonable weather would
be followed by a cool wave
This year there was no egg-rollng festival. The
White house grounds had been soaked over and over
again by the persistent rains and though the sunshine
suddenly appeared TO lure the young mind into the
belief that the grounds were all right there were
in truth. extremely damp and in many spots held
pools and puddles OF respectable dimensions But
there was the blue sky above and the tempting out
look OF the apparently dry lawn in the Presidents
back yard as one small boy of four, not inapty
termed the grounds south OF the White House. BY
10 O'Clock the advance guard OF the young army, well
equipped with baskets Of beautiful eggs was pressing
hard against the gates The gardeners talked in vain.
Their words and warnings, persuasive and otherwise,
were Of no avail. Nothing short OF a proclamation
by the President himself made any impression. aud
finally turned the disappointed young egg rollers
about and sent them home again. For Goldman
nered' man. as he is sometimes called the President
has wonderfully warm. large place in his heart
for children. He felt the disappointment almost
as keenly the little folks. The proclamation was
in the spirit OF compromise, and In substance the
Presidents promise 10 give the children concert later
on, when the Marine Band has returned with the aur's
Of its musical tour, and when, Of course, the White
House grounds shall be not only perfectly safe for the
babies, but more beautiful than ever.
With the absence Of the President, the hustle and
stir Of visitors departed from the White House. Mrs.
and Miss McKee, Of Indianapolis DR.. Scott, Lieutenant
and MIS-. PARKER and the Presidents grandchildren
make the family life. The routine duties In the Ex
ccutive Offices go on much the same. Naturally, the
White House is quiet. The death Of Mrs. Halfocd has
added sorrow, and the tender sympathies OF many
friends go out the Presidents private secretary and
to his young daughter. Mrs. HalfOrd lived Just one
week after her arrival from Townsville, Ca, where
she had passed the winter.
Mrs. Halford possessed remarkable will power and
her unsehsh devotion to her husband and daughter
was the strongest trait in her beautiful character.
1t her first thought to lessen her husbands
anxiety, that his duties might be easier, and that
her daughters young life should be Joyous and free
from the sadness of her own illness. At whatever
cost to herself their home life should be cheerful and
happy. Her personal appearance at time indicated
the serious nature of her illness. Her luxuIiant,
sunny hair and brown eyes were as beautiful as In
her carly girlhood, when, from the delicacy Of her
complexion her young friends called her the "wlld
rose beauty They a singularly happy family.
Her marvellous WILL and strong love for her husband
and daughter, came between them and the shadow
that was always near, but which she herself kept
hidden.
1t is understood that many improvements will be
made in the White House next summer, Mrs. Nc
Kee and Mrs. Russell Harrison, who go abroad, will
sail on June Q. Before the President and Mrs iar-
rson 90 10 Cape May, where they will pass part Of
the summer, the plans for doing up" the Green and
Red rooms and state dinlng-room will be completed.
Scarcely anything has been done TO the state dining
room since it was put In order by Mrs. Hayes. For
some time It's shabbness has taxed TIE skill of the
florists who at state dinners conceal best they
all defects by the arrangement Of plants end
flowers. The extremely light tlnts in the
Green Room were beautiful but have long since
shown their perlshabe qualities. The room is
sadly in need of thorough doing up" BY reason Of
contrast with the recently decorated and furnished
Blue Room, 1t is shabbier than ever. The Pompean
shades of the Red Room lasting colors. But
this room will be freshcned up bit. and also the
private corridor and other parts Of the mansion, as
far as the appropriation will permit Tho prospect,
therefore, is that In July, August and September the
White House will be too much dismantled to be at
tractiye TO visitors who happen TO visit Washington at
that time.
Senator Morrills house has been like flower garden
all the week with the numerous floral gifts sent by his
friends in remembrance Of his eighy-ilrst birthday.
Though there was not the usual birthday party this
year. the Senator has had little celebration by him
self among the flowers while he answered The many
charming notes and kilograms OF congratulations. One
friend sent Florida Souvenir" rare bamboo cano
with carved ivory alligator on the top. Senator
Morrill, who has never used cane, Is not inclined
to begin so late In life to carry a stick, and the
ivory alligator is likely to have a place among
the beautiful and curious things in the Morrill, library
Mrs. Blair, the wife of ex-senator Blair, the new
Minister to China who passed the winter in New
Hampshire, is now In Washington where she expects
10 remain until the latter part Of May Mrs Blair
will not accompany her husband to China, but will &C
ont next year, when their son. who is taking course
OF law at the Columbian University will be graduated
and will then go with her. The closest approach 70
social gayety was on Thursday evening" at the British
legation when the British Minister and Lady Paunce-
fote gave dinner to thirty guests. The dinner was
followed by IN after-dinner reception, to which the
company was asked for 10 O'Clock. AT the dinner
the guests were Sir John Ross of Canada;
the Vice-P President and Mrs. Morton, Senator
and Mrs Mcpherson, Senator Cameron's wife
and daughter the Assistant Secretary OF state and
Mrs Wharton, General Beale the Russian, German,
Turkish and French Ministers, the Spanish Minister
and Madame Guanes, Miss Blaine, Miss Letter, Miss
Knowles, Miss Potten, Alan TOMBSTONE Cecil Spring
Rice. Mrs Hobson Mr. Won Wufen, the Count and
Countess d. ArschOtt of the Berlin Legation. Among
the later guests were Secretary and Mrs Noble the
Misses Halstead Senator and Mrs. Morrill, Miss swami
Senator Mrs. and Miss Mitchell, Mr. and Ms Lei5er
fofc will 20 to England carly in May. Later in the
summer Lady Pauncefote and her younger daughters
the autumn.
Mrs John sherwood, whose readings have been very
attractive has been In turn the guest Ut honor at a
number Of dinners and luncheon feasts Mrs. j.
Thompson Swami gave luncheon for Mrs. Sherwood
on Thursday The table flowers jonQuils and tho
name cards were in water coiors. The guests asked
to meet Mrs Sherwood were the Mexican Minister'S
wife, Mrs. George Boomer Mrs. y. 5. Lincoln, Mrs
Edward Halliday, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Tiffany. Mrs. Nun
son. Mrs Ricketts,, Mrs Wilcox, Mrs. J. Lowry Bell
Mrs. GrosvencT and Mrs. Williams. 49,,
on Tuesday evening Mrs Menocal wife OF Cm iSs
Engineer AlenOcal, gave a dinner IN honor OF the
Misses Mendonca, daughters Of tho Brazilian Minister
The table was beautiful with yellow tulips, ana
throughout yellow and white prevailed. In the COM
pany were Mrs. Louise Patterson, Miss Greer MIS-
Ford Thompson, Lieutenant Lambert and Mr.. Pacheco
OF the Mexican Legation. . .
DR.. and Mrs Charles b. Purvis gave a reception 70
celebrate the twentieth anniversary Of their marriage
Among the guests the Rev. Robert COlyer, Miss
susan b. Anthony, the Rev. Dr. Shipper and MIS- S
Mrs s. w. saxtOn. Mr.. and Mrs y. p. Mann.
Mrs. Walter Wood gave a o O'Clock tea Oh Tuesday.
The table was decked with spring flowers and the
Misses Letter assisted tho hostess Among Mrs;
Woods guests were the Belgian Minister, Mrs Scott
~ No Lon unvd( raj qn6