Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-12
SOCIAL MATTERS.
Mn. Harrison's Brilliant Afternoon Reeep-
LONESOME Personal Mention.

There seems to be general desire that the
visiting hours of the afternoon be heightened
Ladies outside Of official circles, who do not
have as many demands upon their time. may,
with great convenience to themselves as well as
their friends, commence to see callers As early
as 2 o'clock instead Of and half-past 3, as
s the case at present; but the cabinet ladies
and many Of the Senators wives whose houses
are popular find that ii takes about all they can
do to receive visitors from to 5 O'Clock one
day each week, and for the Senator'S wives,
who generally return their calls, the quantity
OF bristol board required after each Of their
weekly receptions is quite formidable. These
ladies, as well as those in the Supreme Court
circle, consider themselves already sufficiently
burdened and they think that the time is rap
idly approaching when it will not be expected
that any further return is necessary from them
after these large afternoon receptions than the
receipt Of their visiting cards, brought
promptly BY q messenger. The cabinet and
court families are here nearly all the year
around. There are, therefore, plenty of oppor-
tunitles to call upon them at other than the Off
cial season and the same chance for them to re-
turn these calls if they desire. The senatorial
ladies, as q rule, think that they are also ex-
pected to do too much. Most of them throw
open their houses on Thursdays, provide gen.
erous entertainment and make a visit o pleas
ure and a delightful memory. Hundreds and
hundreds Of people who have no claims upon
them in any official or social sense take pleas
ure In coming to call week after week. No Sem
ator wife can call upon all the other Senator'S
families, the court and the cabinet and make calls
upon her personal friends (and these duties
are all imperative If she attempts any, and still
have any time left for the hundreds of others.
Nobody ever has done it or ever can within the
limits OF the season. The plan by which, as in
the case of the cabinet ladies, these calls are all
returned by card seems to be growing in favor.
Bright skies and balmy air made Saturday
afternoon an ideal one for Mrs. Harrisons re-
ception. 1t was just such day when the citi-
zens Of the District enjoy turning out By the
hundreds to do honor to the lady Of the White
House. 1t is the most satisfactory evidence of
the high regard in which che is held and the
only way that the public can give expression to
their pleasure in seeing her. Even to those to
whom these ceremOniOus functions at the
White House are oft-toid tales the Saturday re-
ception presented new charms, and everywhere
in the throng could be heard the same pleasant
comments. The crowd commenced to gather
early, but large force Of good-natured police
men under Lieut.. Guy kept the line as straight
as a string. Indoors the officers we're also in
uniform and, stationed at all the necessary
points, rendered the same effective service. The
fact that these officers were in uniform was gen.
orally commended. A part Of the Marine Band
under Prof. Sousa had a big section of the vesti-
bule to themselves, but they filled that part and
great many more cubic feet of space with the
sweetest, brightest music. The hands of the
tall clock in the hall were pointing to when
Mrs Harrison, escorted by Col. Ernst, came
down stairs. Mrs. Fuller and Lieut. Cowies
came next and then in twos and threes came
tripping along the young lady assistants. The
reception had commenced before the third lady
of the receiving line. Mrs. Brown, the wife Of
the new justice, came in to take her place.
Then the ladies gave their undivided attention
to bowling and smiling gracionsly to the hun
dreds OF persons who passed along for the next
two hours. There were not many waits for
the incoming throng and as few rests for the
receiving party. Nearly everybody waited in
the east room or in the corridors so as to catch
another glimpse of the bright scene in the blue
parlor.
The ladies behind the line took as much in
terest In what was going on rs did any one who
watched them. Many Of them were assisting
for the first time at such imposing cere-
mony. Lack OF the barricade Of sofas, against
which the ladies in front could lean, the girls
formed wall Of loneliness. Some of the pref
test girls out this winter were in the number
as everybody will admit when the list is scanned
The gowns were fresh, dainty and be-
coming Mrs. Harrison, i'll Difference to all her
youthful assistants, had on one of her dark
gowns black brocaded satin that had pink
ish mauve satin combined with it. She carried
a bouquet Of long-stclnmed roses. q;
Mrs. Fuller had on gown of silver gray bro
cade, with silver passementerie. Mrs. Brown
wore pale blue satin that had bouquets of
wild roses brocaded in it. 1t was combined
with deeper shade Of silver blue satin and fine
old point lace covered the high faring collar
She also carried roses the gift Of Mrs. Har-
rison.
Among the ladies invited to receive behind
the line were the Misses Pauncefote, Miss Edie,
the Misses Letter, Miss Parker, Miss Mitchell,
Miss Scidmore. Miss Grace Davis, Miss War
field Miss Warder, Miss Breckenridge, Miss
Cabell, Miss Casey, the Misses Blackburn, Miss
Dawes. Miss Edmunds. Miss Quay, Miss Sher-
man, Miss Stoughton, Miss Dalzell, the Misses
Jones, Hiss WaIthall. Miss Scranton. Miss Car
roll, the Misses Grosvenor, Miss Audenreid,
Lodge, Miss Pugsley, Mics Dingley, Miss Med
ringhaus, Hiss Harlan, Miss Fuller. Miss Dahl
gren. Miss kenna and Miss Lowery.
After o'clock Mrs. Harrison entertained her
recei7Ing party upstairs, where a half hour was
most delightfully."- spent. Tables were set here
and there and the house steward and walters
kept all the edlibles constantly replenisIed. The
guests served themselves or the half dozen
gentlemen who accompanied the party upstairs
did the helping for the ladies. The girls estab-
lished themselves in picturesque positions on
the sofas and chatted away as they nibbled at
the sweets. Mrs. Harrison was the charming
hostess. who was here and there and every
where, seeing to the pleasure of all her guests
The President also joined the merry thrOng. as
did Mr.. Russell Harrison, who had just come
On from New York for short stay. Mrs.
Mckee, Mrs. Russell Harrison and Mrs. Dim
mick held miniature courts of their own all
through the afternoon and were as usual the
helpful assistants of the corridor tea. Mrs A.
l.. Coolidge of Boston, who is guest will re-
main at the White House until after Tuesday
The short visit made by Mrs. Daniel s. Lamont.
who came into the reception with hrs. A. A.
Wilson, became quite an ovation for the ladies'
There was general desire on the part OF the
White House family to meet Mrs. Lamont. who
was 30 prominent socially in the last i'd
ministra.ion, and the wish was granted under
circumstances which have LETT very agreeable
impression on both sides. A fair share of those
most frequently mentioned in social gatherings
both in official and pri, ate life were present at
one time or other at the reception.
A large tea was given by Admiral and Mrs.
Worden on Saturday evening to introduce
their granddaughter. Miss Harriet Worden, the
daughter Of Mr.. Daniel 7. orllen of New York.
The young lady. who is tall and good locking,
entered society under most pleasing conditions.
She stood in the drawing room near her grand
mother and her dress CT white silk muslin was
highly becoming. She carried bunch of yio-
lets, ore of the many bouque which had been
piled back of her. Her father and grandfather
mingled with the guests in the different roorns,
while Miss Grace Wordcn and Miss Jackson
were generally in the second parlor. Ont in
the dining room Miss Bancroft and Mrs. Sidney
Ssauaton were head and foot OF the refresh
nicnt table.
1irs. Henry May was the hostess of another
Of the afternoon gatherings which made time
pass very rapidly.
Hrs. James +. Barbour had large reception
also, it being the second of her SATURDAYS at
home. Mrs. Webb. Mrs. ]. =. Jones, Miss
Soule and Miss Rasin OF Baltimore were her