The critic., 1891-01-31
IN THE SWIM.


The receptions contemplated at the llx-
ecu i've Mansion for the 81, 7th and 10Th
of February are, on account Of the death
of the Secretary of the Treasury, indeli-
nitely postponed.
Nv
The reception by the Vicc-President aud
Mrs. Morton this evening, and the carl
reception at the POstmaster-General's ON
Monday next, will be omitted on account
of the death of the Secretary of the Treas
ury.
~.
The reception of the Vice-President and
Mrs. Morton for Saturday, February I,
will take place, but the one which was to
have taken place tonight has been post
poncd to February 10.
~
Mrs. Winthrop will not receive this
afternoon, on account of recent death in
the family.
&wN
Miss Thompson of Culpepcr Court
house, Va, Is on brief visit TO her
uncle, Senator Barbour.
s%~
The reported presence of members of
the Diplomatic Corps at any of the enter
tainments last evening must be erroneous.
The fact that the President and his Cab
net have Just been plunged into the deep
est grief by the sudden death of the Sec
retary of the Treasury virtually places the
members of that body in official mourn
ing. In any event, the representatives of
foreign Governments residing here would
hardly be guilty of so flagrant n proof of
disrcspect to this Government rs TO ignore
such calamity in our highest Official
circle. The Diplomatic Corps is always
M al al
under circumstances like the present and
observe with scrupulous dclicacy all the
requirements of official and social courtesy
and respect.
sSx
The ladies residing on Connecticut ave-
nue., Jefferson Place and Sunderland
Place receive this afternoon.
IVA
Mrs. William NJ. Merrici of "The
Highlands Howard County, Nd, is
spending a few days with Mrs. Zane, No.
1915 Nineteenth street During the life
time of her lamented husband, Judge
Merrick, the eminent jurist, Mrs. Mer-
ricks home was one of the great social
centres in Washington and the seat of
refined and princey hospitality. Her host
of friends Will be gratiiied to learn that
she is now in the enjoyment of much bet
ter health than she has been for some
years.
Mrs. Augustus Cleveland Tyler was
called away from the city this morning,
and the invitations to the o'clock tea
she was to have given on Monday, Feb
ruary 9 have been therefore postponed to
Monday, February o, at 8 o'clock.
a"~
That delightful old part of Washington,
on II and q streets, above Seventeenth and
south of the Avenue, presented much of
its pristine life and movement yesterday
afternoon. The receptions of Countess
Estorhazy, Mrs. Wilson and other ladies
in that neighborhood were largely at
tended.
Wv
Or. and Mrs. w. A. Hammond gave a
beautiful bal poutire last night in their
rately and elegantly decorated for the oc-
casion with q profusion of tropical plants
and flowers. The spacious drawing-rooms
presented a brilliant and gay appearance.
The costumes of the guests were many
Of them, costly and all in exquisite taste.
The effect was immense in the wealth of
color and radiance. AS it was the only
thing of the kind given this season 1t at.
tracted unusual attention and was in
every respect, perhaps, the most gorgeous
affair of the winter. The Hammond
mansion is admirably adapted for enter
tanning on large scale and is one of the
most beautiful and artistic houses in
Washington. A fine orchestra, an elabo-
number Of bellies and beaux, celebrities
and notable people in society formed
combination of social attractions rarely
seen,