The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-12-30
THEIR FIRST NEW YEARS
GREETING PRESIDENT WASHINGTON
AND HIS WIFE

Reeeption-Some of the Notables Pres.
ent-The spleudor Of the Dress of the
Guests-Tea and Cake. bot No Music
The first presidential New Years recep
tion was held by General Washington ~
the executive mansion ia the then aristO-
cratic purlieu Of Cherry street The house
itself was one Of the finest mansions in New
York IL stood on the corner Of Cherry
street and Franklin square. near where
Harper's publishing house now stands. IL
WAS handsome, substantial structure OF
brick and stone. with hospitable looking
door in the center and broad light rooms
Z stretching far back on both sides Of a lofty
hall To the right were the drawing rooms.
and here in stately elegance the first lady
in the land received her New Years guests
for the first time.
General Washington himself, always the
central figure. no matter what the sur
rOundings, stood beside his wife. His
superb physique and his noble face,
crowned with light brown hair, scarce
threaded with silver and illumined by his
mild vet brilliant blue eyes, gained added
charms from his rich coat and breeches Of
black velvet, his silver knee aud shoe
/ buckles studded with gems. his white
satin vest enriched with silver lace and
buttons, and his hair, powdered, gathered
into a silk bag and further ornamentsd
with a ribbon bow.
No les imposing was Lady Washington.
who, in gorgeous attire, received each
guest with dignifed grace Her beautiful
gown Of white satin fitted her stately form
10 perfection. The long. pointed waist.
the elaborate train. the fichu OF sheerest
lace, folded demurely upon the breast, and
the BEAUTIFUL, becoming hesddress are IA
miliar 10 every one She also wore a neck
lace and stomacher of rare jewels
X was not customary for General Wash
Ing nor his wife 20 shake hands az their
receptions, but on New Years dav this
formal regulation did not prevail. and
after the elaborate courtesies were ex
changed Mrs. Washington extended. her
mittened hand, heavy with gems. and
lightly but graciously touched the hands
Of her guests. From I o'clock until 3 a
steady stream Of brilliant personases
poured through the rooms
General and Mrs. Washington stood at
the farther end OF the second drawing
room. A liveried servant at the door re
ceived the name Of the guest and announced
il in trumpetlike tones The refrain was
then taken up by u second ''pamperei men
ial' and repeated to General Washington.
who in turn presented the caller 70 his
wife. reserving his own saiutati0us until
hers had been made.
The two pariors in which the reception
was held were large, long and lofty. The
ceilings were Of white aud gold. as were
the paneled walls; long mirrors framed in
the same delicate tiuts reflected the beauti-
full gowns. the delicate hGes Of which
showed 20 admirable advantage against
the deep scarlet cushions Of the furniture.
All the beauties Of the republican court
came in gorgeous attire 20 usher ia the
new year with wishes couched in courrlv
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 Dner. 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. fail
ing in long loose folds from her shoulders
ia the back and opening in front over
petticoat OF white satin. from which il was
lOOped back with bunches OF pink roses.
Her low cut eorsage showed % advantage
OF rare old lace. and her hair drawn up
from her forehead over n 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 glunt in appearances, was 70
served in manner and ia iIl health She
was not very beautiful nor very fashion
able; indeed, she was eminently plain and
n wee bit -dowdy," I fear. for she wore a
gown OF gray stuff with a white silk ker
chief about her presumably Thin shoulders,
and some piEmes OF tunereal black in her
hair.
4 vivid contrast 70 her and her taciturn
lord were the secretary Of state and Mrs
John Jay. Mr.. Jay was most charming
man, OF fsultless manner, and had, we are
told. '-benevOleuce portrayed IN every fea-
ture-" He dressed plainly for the times.
but with great taste. His coat OF dark,
plum eolored 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 most elegant
attire. Mrs. Jay, who was perhaps the
leader of social life in New York. was very
young, very beautiful. very charming. and
what we would now. for want of a better
word, call stylish"
She dressed always most shOwilv, bu,
with great elegance. Her costume now
lacked none OF its usual spiendor. The
long trailing robe Of pale blue satin was
brOcaded with large plush roses. 50 natural
that one almost detected their perfume
The very low corsage was 5ordered 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 uotable belle and beauty was
Mrs Rufus King Her features were
"faultily fscltless." her clear brunette
complexion cOntrasted s.rikingiy wi-h Der
vjvidly blue eyes. and her beautiful black
hair and Gce Teeth were famous Tor their
perfection.
The women OF the day inclined to the
most magnificent fabrics and 70 luxurious
dressing in all directions They wore their
hair very high oa the top Of the head and
frequently covered {, with superb orna-
rents. Many OF them. instead Of powder,
used pOmade 70 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 Dobiemen,
who even thus early began 20 have Rec
ollections OF America" comment on the
fact that the women were pale and had lit
tie color.
Beautiful as was the dress Of the belle OF
a century gene, the apparel Of the contem-
porary beau was even more charming. II
man could not De courtly and handsomes
in satin. soft lace. gold embroidery and
jeweiesi buckles, surely he was not worthy
the name White silk stockings seem 20 /
have been the favorite envelope for the ex- !
tremities, possibly because they apparently !
Increased their SIZE Goats we're OF every !
color, even Of red Indeed. the latter |
seemed notable tavorite. The cooked hat. |
effect. The cymbals are made OF cast on |
pieces OF sheet iron, covered with a special I
preparation TO give them luster. Thus, by |
using waste material alone, this popular
toy can be manufactured and retailed at
thirteen cents At wholesale they cost !
ninety cents dozen Over 5000 Of these /
playthings are sold each year by peddlers !
and toy dealers.
Now, where do all the toys come from, |
Who makes them, Where are they mades |
During the Christmas and New Years sea
son IL is estimated that establishments like |
the Bon Marche and the Louvre sell each /
<,50, 900 worth Of toys. and the chairman Of |
the Parisian syndicate OF toy manufactur-
erS estimates that the total sales during /
the holiday season are not FAR from s, ,00o.
90
According TO recent statistics there are 4
In Paris alone nearly 500 manufactures OF I
TOYS, mostly situated in the districts Of the 4