The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-12-25
THEIR FIRST NEW YEARS
GREETING PRESIDENT WASHINGTON
AND HIS WIFE.

Mis3fgHE
The first presidential New Years recen
tion was held by General Washington i,
the executive mansion in the then aristo
cratic purlieu OF Cherry street. The hous
itself wa one OF the finest mansionsin New
York. 1t stood on the corner Of Cherr,
street and Franklin square, a wher,
Harper's publishing house now stands. /
was a handsome, substantial structure q
brick and stone, with q hospitable lookin,
door In the center and broad light room
stretching far back on both sides Of q loft,
hall. To the right were the drawing rooms
and here in stately elegance the first lad
In the land received her New Years guest,
for the first time.
General Washington himself, always tn,
central figure, no matter what the sur
"roundings, stood beside his wife, III,
superb physique and his noble face
crowned with light brown hair, scare,
threaded with silver and illumined by hi,
mild yet brilliant blue eyes, gained added
charms from his rich coat and breeches q
black velvet, his silver knee and shot
buckles studded with gems, his Whit
satin vest enriched with silver lace ana
buttons, and his hair, powdered, gathered
into q silk bag and further ornamented
with q ribbon bow.
No less imposing vas Lady Washington
who, In gorgeous attire, received EACH
guest with dignifed grace. Her beautiful
gown OF white satin fitted her stately form
to perfection. The long, pointed waist
the elaborate train, the fichu of sheerest
lace, folded demurely upon the breast, and
the beautiful, becoming ~headdress are IA.
mtliar to every one. She also wore q neck.
lace and stomacher Of rare Jewels.
1t was not customary for General Wash.
Ing nor his wife to shake hands at their
receptions, but on New Years day this
formal regulation did not prevail, and
after b elaborate courtesies were ex.
changed Mrs. Washington extended her
mittened hand, heavy with gems, and
lightly but gracfously touched the hands
OF her guests. From 1 o'clock until 8 a
steady stream OF brilliant personages
poured through the rooms.
General and Mrs. Washington stood at
the farther end of the second drawing
room. A hveried servant at the door re-.
celved the name of theguest and announced
1t IN trumpetlike tones. The refrain was
then taken up by q second "psmpered men.
ial" and repeated to General Washington.
who In turn presented the caller to his
SVAAObx C6OAv AAH AI6 OWA SdkuCALlOnQ nnffI
hers had been made.
The two parlors in which the reception
wa held were large, long and lofty. The
ceilings were OF white and gold, as were
the paneled walls; long mirrors framed in
the same delicate tints reflected the beauti-
ful gowns, the delicate hues of which
showed to admirable advantage aeainst
the deep scarlet cushions of the furniture
. All tho hQQy1fioo ~ thu ra~rlll.~----
came In gorgeous attire to usher in the
new year with wishes couched in courtlv
phrase. Lady Kitty Duer, the daughter Of
Lord Stirling, was one OF, the first arrivals
on that long gone New Years day. accom-
panied by her soldier husband. Colonel
William Duer. Lady Kitty, who was
neither very young nor very handsome.
was one OF the sweetest looking women in
New York. Her tall and graceful figure
gained additional height and grace from
her beautiful gown Of pink brocade. fall
ing In long loose folds from her shoulders
In the back and opening in front over a
p%etticoat of white satin, from which it was
Topped back with punches of pink roses.
Her low cut corsage showed to advantage
her fine neck and shoulders, set in a frame
OF rare old lace, and her hair, drawn up
from her forehead over a cushion, was
powdered and dressed with strings of
pearls held in place by diamond clasps.
The president of the senate and his wife
Lady Christina Griffin, next appeared on
the scene. Lady Christina, who was rather
austere and gaunt in appearance, was re-
served in ann and in i'll health. She
was not very beautiful nor very fashion
able; indeed, she was eminently plain and
a wee bit "dowdy,"I fear, for she wore a
gown OF gray stuff with q white silk ker-
chief about her presumably thin shoulders.
and ONE plumes Of funereal black in her
hair.
A vivid contrast to her and her taciturn
lord were the secretary of state and Mrs,
John Jay. Mr. Jay was q most charming
man, OF faultless manner, and had, we are
told, "benevolence portrayed in every fea-
ture." He dressed plainly for the times,
but with great taste. His coat of dark.
plum colored velvet, trimmed with gold
lace, his breeches of satin, his long silk
stockings of pale lilac, his diamond buck
les at knee and instep, made q most elegant
attire. Mrs. Jay, who was perhaps the
leader Of social life in New York, was yery
young, very beautiful. very charming, and
what we would now, for want of a better
word, call stylish"
She dressed always most showily, but
with great elegance. Her costume now
lacked none Of its usual splendor, The
long trailing robe of pale blue satin was
brocaded with large plush roses, so natural
that one almost detected their perfume.
The very low corsage was bordered with
superb gems, and strings of diamonds and
pearls were twisted in her beautiful hair,
which fell in most delightful ripples about
her throat and shoulders. Her jewels were
among the most celebrated in New York,
and on this occasion she wore most of them,
Another notable belle and beauty was
Mrs. Rufus King. Her features were
faulty faultless," her clear brunette
contrasted strikingly with her
wildly blue eyes, and her beautiful black
hair and fine teeth were famous for their
perfection.
The women of the day inclined to the
most magnificent fabrics and to luxurious
dressing in all directions. They wore their
hair very high OF the top of the head and
covered it with superb orna-
ments. Many of them, instead Of powder.
used a pomade to make the hair glossy,
and where the hair was of a blond tint the
effect was very becoming. Cosmetics were
little used, for several foreign noblemen,
who even thus early began to have "Rec-
objections Of America" comment on the
that the women were pale and had lit
tie color.
Beautiful as was the dress OF, the belle Of
q century gone, the apparel Of the contem-
porary beau was even more charming. If
3 man could not be courtly and handsome
satin. soft lace, gold embroidery and
buckles, surely he was not worthy
name. White silk stockings seem to
have been the favorite envelope for the ex-
tremities, possibly because they apparently
their size. Coats were of every
color, even of red. Indeed, the latter
'eemcd a notable favorite. The cooked hat.
enriched with gold lace and cords, wa AZ
elaborate as the headgear Of a tailor
made" wfman of our times. The vest.
usually Of white satin, frequently heavily
embroidered with gold, silver or colors,
always ornamented with noticeable and
often valuable buttons, had long flaps its
entire length, and was, after the coat, the
pronounced article of attire.
Rufies of lace, fine rs that worn by
their sisters. their cousins or their aunts,"
fell about their well kept hands and adown
their snowy shirt bosoms. The widest
-.