The critic., 1891-01-07
~ THE SWIM.

- ihfa = " ' We
The President aud Mrs. Harrison gave
the first of the series of state dinners last
night, entertaining the Cabinet. There
were forty-siN covers laid aud the usual
abundance Of tropical plants aud floral
decoration. The inevitable MItine Band
was timc-honored feature of the enter
tamcnt The festivities at the White
House are said to be heavy There ~
an abundant display of culinary, mil
lncry, and decorative skill, but not much
feast of reason and flow of SOUL The
table is never "sct in roar CUnvcrsl-
ton is conventional and bciitting the aW-
full official gravity of the occasion, and the
business of II is gone through with in Il
degree of dccorum unGayorablc to social
sweetness and light
,*s
Mrs John W. Foster has issued cards
for reception on Monday, January ~
from to7 y. M, to meet the Misses Orr,
Mrs. Fosters house has long been reCOg-
uiZCd as one Of the most delightful In
Washington. As the wife of the former
Minister to Russia, Spain and Mexico, she
presided with great dignity and sulNity
over the social life of the Legation in -.
Petersburg. Madrid aud the city of Mexico.
Her home is filled with rare and hcauti
iul works of art and curios collected dur
inga long residence abroad. Her ncquani.
ancC with many of the most distinguished
people of the countries to which General
Foster was accredited rs Minister gives her
an ineNhaustible fund of "reminiscences and
anocdotc about life abroad and makes her
receptions attractive to foreigners and
Americans alike.
aSs
Mrs. Bcnct will receive on Thursday.
Mrs. Thomas Riggs gives ten this
afternoon to Introduce her daughter, Miss
Riggs.
The dances at the British Legation, given
now and then, form one of the plonSantcst
features of the season. The Misses Pauucc.
fote have formed for themselves u charm
ing circle of friends among our American
girls and have been indefatigablc in max
ing the drawing rooms of the Legation as
attractive as possible in every way to
society.
The first grand reception of the season
at the Mexican Legation took place yes
terday afternoon. The house was
crowded for three hours. The ballroom,
which is lined on all sides with mirrors.
was thrown open and Il fine orchestra was
playing the most enhancing dance music.
Mr.. and Madame Romero received their
guests most graciOusly, Mrs. Warner
late, and u pretty bcvy of young ladies
assisted in dispensing punch. The tea
was served from magnificent gold set
that quite east in the shade even the
gorgeous silver set and candelabrum on
the table, which was banked with rare
roses and loaded with dainty refresh
mcntS.
This is the day the ladies of the Cabinet
receive.
s"s
Among the teas given Yesterday after
noon was one by the Misses Merrick and
another by Mrs. William IL. Clagctt, both
extremely pleasant affairs.
w.
Admiral and Mrs. Greer keep up the
old-fashioncd and hearty custom of hav-
ing few friends to dine with them quite
informally OIL Sunday night. During
his recent cruise in European waters, the
Admiral collected number of beautiful
and rare vases china aud other things,
which are very valuable from bric-d-
6rdc point of view.
~,
"a roaring, ranting, young blade" who
was at a great "cakc-walk," as he irrev-
cicntly styles the average reception. the
other evening muttercd the terrific shb-
bNiN'ii '7dH7il NI'ii WV h''t l't0s,'tt
beyond ear shot, and then crcpt into his
fur-lincd overcoat and, arm-in-arm with
two of the "dcah boys picked his way
gingerly out beneath the stars. That he
was instigatcd by the devil and that he
uttered the cruel words with malice pre-
pensc and aforcthought," there can be no
doubt in the mind of any intelligent and
reflective person.
sas
II is rumorcd that bal poui,c Is to be
given toward the last of the month by one
of the notables in society. Already there
is a ilutter of excitement over the mere
idea. There is no costume or toilet 50 cal
culated to heighten the beauty of woman
as one IN which she wears her hair pow
dercd. The men, on the contrary, gcncr-
ally come to grief in the powdcring of
their hair or in the wigs bought or hired.
A grand miaHet dc Ia corr ought to form
feature of the ball, as ii is more in keeping
with the era Of the costumes, and gives
wide scope for the display of the grace and
dignity Of 'the olden time" as seen in that
stately dance.
s7s
Mr.. and Mrs G, C.. Glover gave buds
theatre party last evening at the National
to see S0thern in the "NIaister of Wood
barrow" The buds were Miss parkc,
Miss Ernst, Miss Wilson, Miss Karr, Miss
Carlisle and her friend, Miss Gilderslceve
of New York, and others.