Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-07
SOCIAL MATTERS.
First State Dinner Mt the White Housc-Some
Personal Mention.

Personal Mention.
The first state dinner of the winter. the cabi-
| net banquet, was given last night by the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harrison Forty-four guests sat
about the great expanse of nower-decked linen
| in the state dining room The decorations Of
| the room harmonized exactly with its perma-
nent coloring- A good many palms and other
tropical plants were disposed to advantage
amid the lace draperies at the windows or on
| either side of the Bullets. The west mantel
was massed with white flowers, set in abundant
foliage and the opposite mantel was banked
with Bon Silene roses, with pendant fringe Of
grasses and asparagus. The table was widened
by the addition Of triangular sections at each
corner. The fine damask which now in Mrs.
Harrison's housewifely pride fills the White
House linen closet had q chance to be spread
before q company OF officials. who found their
artistic tastes satisfied with it. The Indies noted
with pleasure the prettily embroidered W. H..
the house monogram in each corner OF the
cloth. Its floral burden was an oblong
cushion Of orchids in green and white tints,
rising about foot high from bed Of their own
rich foliage mingled with other greens. At the
corners there were round baskets, also filed
with orchids, and between we're circles Of Bon
Sllene buds. The gilt candelebras had their
pink tapers burning under pink shades. The
candied fruits. bon bons. relishes. &C., were
placed in low silver dishes and formed no small
part of the secondary decoration. The ladies'
corsage bouquets were q few long-stemmed
Catharine Mermet roses, tied with wood green
ribbons. The mems boutonniers were a small
orchid. The company arrived with satisfactory
promptness. All went upstairs to remove their
wraps, and there met with a welcome from the
President and Mrs. Harrison. They all came
down stairs. and when the host and hostess
were assured that all of their expectant guests
were assembled in the east room the President
escorted Mrs. Harrison down stairs, the Vice
President and Mrs. Morton, and Secretary and
Mrs. Blaine following after them.
When the butler announced dinner the Presi-
dent gave his arm to Mrs. Morton, the Vice
President taking Mrs. Harrison, and led the
way out to the dining room. The procession
as it passed along the brightly lighted corridor
was really very fine sight. There is an oppor-
tunity for elegant dress to show off and
At the table Mrs. Morton had the place of
honor at the Presidents right hand and Mrs.
Plaine sat On his left. Directly opposite, Mrs.
Harrison had the Vice President on her right
and Secretary Blaine on her left hand. Mrs.
Window sat ut MIR. Biaines right and he es-
corted her to dinner, Secretary Window taking
in Mrs. Blaine. The other guests went in as
follows: Secretary Noble and Mrs. Reed, Secre-
tary Proctor and Mrs. Miller, Postmaster Gen
eral Wanamaker and Mrs. Rusk, Secretary
Tracy and Mrs. Noble, Attorney General Mil
Ter and Mrs. Proctor, Secretary Rusk and Mrs.
Dawes. Speaker Reed and Mrs. Gray, Senator
Dawes and Mrs. German, Senator Allison and
Mrs. Owen and Senator Evarts and Mrs. Cogs-
we'll. Az the cross sections Of the board Rep
resentative Holman and Mrs. Springer, Repre-
sentative McComas and Mrs. Russell Harrison,
Representative Owen and Mrs. Wilson Of
Philadelphia, Senator German and Mrs.
Owen, Senator Gray and Mrs. McComas
Representative Springer and Mrs. Mckee,
Senator Plumb and Mrs. Holman, Representa-
tive Coggswel and Mrs. Dimmick. Mr. Murat
Halstead took no lady in to dinner. but he sat in
an envied position at table, between Mrs. Mckee
and Mrs. Dimmck. Mr.. Mckee escorted Mr.
Halstead in the wake of the procession. but he
had a good time at the dinner nevertheless
When coffee was served after dinner the serv-
ants followed the guests wherever they hap
pened TO have strolled. and the grateful black
liquid was partaken Of by some in the conser-
yatories but by most in the more comfortable
surroundings of the parlors.
The electric light illumination was q general
topic of conversation among the guests, and
Mrs. Harrison could not fail to hear many fat
tering things said of the changes which have
been made during the last four months in the
entire house.
1t had a court train of pansy velvet and the
petticoat was of silver brocade. White ostrich
tips heightened the shoulder effect and her
hair was dressed high, with a white aigrette
fastened by a diamond ornament. She wore
other flashing gems in a necklace and corsage
ornaments.
Mrs. Morton's gown was Of silver gray bro
cade. the front of the petticoat being in pink
silk draped with founces of black thread lace
The low-neeked waist was edged with black
lace and steel passementerie. She wore q disl-
mond necklace that had three enormous
pendants
Mrs. McKee's dainty gown was of biscuit
eolored crepon combined with soft lace.
Mrs. Russell Harrison had a Frenehy light
brocade and pale blue silk combination and on
her white neck cleaned her superb diamonds.
Mrs Blaine gown was stately and rich, be-
ing of black mourning silk and net, and it was
generally remarked how well she looked.
Mrs Window had on dove gray brocade
with filmly lace hounces on the front
Mr.. Miller's toilette was in her fayorite
colors, black and gray brocade with black
ostrich feather trimming.
Mrs. Eusk WIS in cream-colored silk and lace
Mrs. Mobiles trained gown was of white rose
striped brocade. The bodice was low necked
and the front of the skirt had an embroidered
crepe de chine drapery over yellow silk
Mrs. Proctor was in black lace and silk
Mrs. Wilson. who is Mrs. Wanamaker's guest,
was invited to take the latter's place as she was
brocade.
Mrs. Germans elegant gown was of gray
satin brocaded in black velvet flowers
Mrs Dimmick was in black velvet with os-
trich feather trimming.
Mrs. Reed wore pink brocade and pale blue
silk. Mrs. McComas was in white silk and
point lace and Mrs. Owen had on an art gown
of old rose silk.
This week has been SO far and will be very
busy during the visiting hours. The calling
hours seem TO be getting later and later. No
body starts out now until and consequently
but few visits can be made until night falls
Along street yesterday Mrs. b. H. Warder
Mrs. Geo. Il. Loring, Mrs. Edmonds, Mrs
Gen. Browne, Mrs. n. A. Anderson. Mrs. Rad
cliffe, Mrs. Casey and Mrs. Frank Loring were
all receiving.
Mrs Moore held her first at home in her new
house on 10th street and had assisting her Mrs
Carpenter and Miss Condit Smith.
Mrs. Busey had another Of the pleasant re-
captions of the day.
Mrs. Vim. H. Clagett also opened her house
and was receiving with her daughter Miss Nav
Clagett. They had Miss Ethel Janney to assist
them.
Nine. Romeros first afternoon at home was
as usual a large reception. The drawing rooms
the dining room and the ball room make such q
spacious suite that it is well nigh impossible to
crowd them. A stringed band played in the
ball room and few of the younger set failed to
enjoy q dance there. Nine. Romero received
in the front drawing room and had selected
company of gracious ladies to assist her. She
had on q garnet brocaded velvet with pretty
soft lace ON the front Of the waist. Her mother.
Mrs. Allen Of Philadelphia, who il now paving
her visit. enjoyed meeting her friends. Nine.
Zegarra Mrs. John w. Foster, Mrs. James r.
Barbour, Mrs. Jules Guthridge. Mrs. b. De
Ford Webb, Miss Hutchinson and Miss Thomas
room Miss Ida Thompson presided at the head
of the table, pouring from the gold service cups
Of fragrant coffee, and Mrs Willard Warner
inc