Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08
PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION.


WAsHINGToY, Jan. 1.-The year 1891
opened wet, disagreeable and gloomy, and
the streets were so filled with slush from
the melting snow that pedestrianism was
difficult and decidedly unpleasant. New
Years Day, however, was generally OBJ
served, notwithstanding the weather. A
large number of residents kept ''open
house." and the streets were thronged
nearly all day with carriages containing
gentlemen intent on visiting all the ladies'
of their acquaintance in one day and wish
ing them the compliments of the season.
The Presidents reception was of course
the social feature of the day and the fact
that the chief magistrate of the nation
gives the anniversary his official sanction
explains to u large extent why the custom
of calling on the first day of the year con-
tinues to be universally observed in Wash
ington.
The White House never looked prettier
than it did to-day, Special pains were
taken with the decorations and everything
was done to make the mansion as attractive
as possible
The floral decorations were all of a
patriotic character, being fac SMILES of the
flag of the union and the national coat of
arms, both of which were prominently
displayed in different parts of the house.
The decorations were confined to flowers
and plants but the general effect of the
scene was heightened by the system of
electric lights which has just been in
troduced in the house. While there was
liberal display in the red and
green parlors it did not compare with the
profusion of flowers and plants in the
beautiful blue parlor where the reception
proper was held, or the large and stately
east room where the callers fingered after
wards to exchange friendly greetings. In
deed the walls of the latter room were
almost obscured by mass of tall large
leafed palms and other tropical plants.
The window recesses were similarly
filled in with green. On the mantels be
meath the four large mirrors were banks
of choice flowers in variegated colors and
from the large chandeliers with their
myriads of crystal strings of smilax and
delicate ferns were suspended in graceful
folds. The unusual beauty of the decora-
tions and their tasteful arrangements were
subjects of general praise.
The reception began at II o'clock, the
receiving party taking their places in the
Blue parlor at that hour to the familiar
strains Of "Hail to the Chief" played by
the full Marine Band, which was stationed
in the yestibule, just inside the main
entrance.
yice-president Morton and Mrs. Morton
and all the members of the cabinet with
all the ladies of their families, with the ex-
ceptlon of Mrs. Blaine, had previously
Joined the President and Mrs. Harrison,
and followed them down stairs to the re-
ception room. Here all the gentlemen,
with the exception of the President, retired
to the rear Of the blpe parlor, where a
large number of invited guests had already
gathered. The receiving party then formed
in line between the entrace and exit doors
in the following order: The President, Mrs.
Harrison, Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Window.
Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Wana-
maker Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Rusk.
Among the other ladies assisting Mrs.
Harrison were Mrs. Mckee, Mrs. Russell
B. Harrison, Mrs, Dimmick, Miss Gray,
Mrs. George w. Boyd of Philadelphia,
Miller, Miss Wanamaker, the Misses Hal
stead, Miss Rusk, Miss Jeanette Halford
and host of others.
The members of the diplomatic corps
were first received. They were followed
soon after by the chief justice and associate
justices of the United States Supreme
Court, the judges Of the United States
court of claims and the Judiciary Of the
District of Columbia.
These were followed soon afterward by
senators and representatives in Congress
and officials of the District government.
The doors were thrown open to the pub
lie at 1870, quarter of an hour earlier
than was expected. This was due to the
fact that the bodies and organizations pre-
viollsly received were less numerous than
usual and did not occupy all the time
allotted to them.
By this time the President was the only
one of the receiving party still in line
Mrs Harrison had to retire to sofa in the
rear because of fatigue, and the other
ladies We're called away by their own re-
ceptions.
The Vice-president and cabinet officials
all gave receptions during the afternoon.
Mrs. Gray heading the list of ladies assist
ing Mrs Morton.