Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-10
THE WORLD OF SOCIETY
The Army and Navy Reception at
the White House.
RULERS OF LAND AND SEA.
A Throng of Guests-Many Noted People
Present-Reception at the
Teas and Other Observation-Disclosures
Notes Of Interest.

The presidential right arm had about all It
could attend to last night from to IL. Few
more crowded receptions have ever taken place
In the White House than the army and navy
levee. The bright clear night, the fact that it
was the last OF the card receptions SO far as the
residents here we're concerned. and the pres
ence OF many outsiders especially invited to wit
ness this grand dress parade of our brave de-
tenders by land and by sea were the main
reasons of the great crush The MOONLIGHT was
another condition happily present, and the
surroundings of the Executive Mansion never
appear to better advantage than when fair Luna
Is attending to her duties in this acceptable
way. Yet last night nobody seemed walking
toward thlsgoal OF politicians with any especial
idea OF admiring moonlight effects on the
home OF the President. The crowd was vastly
more interested in trying to get inside. The
big house, with the lights twinkling from every
window and the conservatories sparkling like
n great gem, became a sort of will-o -the-wis
Tor those who sat In their carriages an hour
and some half hour longer before they crossed
its threshhold. The early birds got the best of
1t last night, as they usually do. The corridor
was well lined with gallant forms under shining
uniforms and fair women in their best bibs and
fuckers at o'clock. At the same hour the car
riaSes were in double lines clear around to the
18th street door of the Treasury Department
with all who were coming there were none
going till 10 o'clock. People who lived within
easy distance walked to and from the reception.
own sweet will
The officers had their eyes gladdened by the
generous profrslOn of the national colors dec
Grating the east room Very well it was that
the flags were hung high The attractions On
the floor permitted nothing to be seen under
six feet. The Presidents flag was draped be-
tween two others of the stars and stripes over
the middle door. The Secretary of the Navy's
flag was Topped over one of the mirrors and on
the other mirror of the west side of the room
the artillery and cavalry flags were draped.
American shields capped the futed columns
tnat were also twined with smilax. The mantel-
pieces were banked with maiden hair fern. On
one big anchor, made of white roses, stood
out In bold relief; on the other three stars, the
middle one of yellow roses and the two smaller
0nss In acacia blossoms, were equally effective
There were decorations, and pretty ones. too
III the other parlors, and they did not entirely
waste their sweetness on unappreciatiye ewes
either In the blue room the pantels were
banked with purple orchids and the doorwavs
mad parted curtains OF smilax.
When the hands Of the tall clock in the hall
pointed to the son and daughter of the Presi-
dent came down stairs leading a procession of
friends especially invited to the blue room. In
this company were Mrs. DimmIck, MIR. Jay
Gould, Mr.. Edward Gould, Miss Gould, Miss
kerens, daughter of Mr.. r. G. Kerens of St
Louis. who Is now guest at the White House;
Miss Foster, Miss Nanamaker. Miss Morgan
Miss Halsted, Miss Miller, Miss Sheriff., Miss
Grace Davis, Miss EIkins. Mrs Hazen, Mrs.
Schoheld, Mrs. Andrews, Miss Kilbourne. Mrs
Bugher, Miss Rusk, Miss sherman, Mrs and
Miss Breckenridge, Mr.. Samuel Thomas of New
York, Mr.. de Lamar and q number Of other
gentlemen.
Col. Ernst and Lieut.. Parker then followed
in the advance of the President and Mrs Har-
risou. The Vice President and Mrs. Morton,
the Secretary OF the Treasury and Mrs. Foster,
the Secretary of War and Mrs. Elkins, the
Attorney General and Mrs. Miller. the Post
master General and Mrs. Russell Harrison
Secretary Tracy and Mrs. Wilmerding and Sec
rotary and Mrs. Rusk followed after them.
1t was hoped last night that all the cabinet
ladies' would receive. but Mrs. Wanamaker and
Mrs Noble were both obliged to send regrets
Mrs. Blaine came in late, but did not take her
place in line, although asked to do SO by Mrs.
Harrison.
The crush in the blue room was something
to be remembered There did not seem to be
a foot of unoccupied space anywhere within its
restricted boundaries, but packed as it was
there were sad. disappointed lingering glances
from everybody who was not urged to come in.
Every now and then few forms would squeeze
themselves out and take long breath when
the green room was reached. Those who
wanted to take home their gowns uncrushed
refrained from gong back Of the line, even
when they were asked, but these few cases
were exceptional. All the diplomatic corps
made a point of being there even for a few
u
ception the President and Mrs. Harrison took
occasion to have little chat with those who
gathered about them. The rests, however
were few and far between. as the incoming
throng did not dwindle until nearly IL. Then
the end of it could be seen. The was SO
large that the brass buttons did not show as
well as they might. When anybody asked any
body else who were there everybody answered
everybody" Gen. Scbofield and his fair young
bride were the first to represented to the Presi-
dent and wife. They stood the crush in the
blue room as long as they could, and that was
not very long, before going out to the east
ROOM where they held ievee. About half
past Mrs Blaine and Mrs. Damrosch came in
Their arrival created little ripple of excite
ment. They passed behind the line but only
stayed a few minutes
Mrs. Harrison donned a new gown last night
1t was princess of pearl white satin trimmed
down the 'front.' where the skirt partly opened
to show a petticoat of pleated chiffon with
bands Of grebe, The same border contin-
ued around the edge of the skirt and also made
a becoming finish to the neck. The sleeves
fitted to the wrist closely and were pulled high
on the shoulders. She carried bunch of white
| roses. Mrs. Norton wore pale blue brocade
with jacket bodice. the skirt Of which was
slashed in squares. A fall of pointe de Venise
trimmed the low neck. She wore her neck lace
of diamonds-triple strands of large solitaires--
and more fine stones in her hair.
The other ladies receiving in the line were
Mrs. Foster. for whom 1t was the first appear-
ance there since New Year day; Mrs. Miller,
Mrs. E!kins. Mrs. WilmerdinS and Mrs. kusk.
Mrs. Foster wore pansy satin combined with a
light mauve brocade and crepe dc chene, Mrs.
Miller wore white brocade and lace Mrs.
Elkins. whose gown was of white corded silk
with gold passementeries and an effective trim
| ming of white ostrich tips; Mrs. Wimerding,
who had on white brocaded silk with low
| corsage edged with fine lace, superb diamond
pendant and necklace. and Mrs. Rusk who
wore light blue brocade and duchess lace.
The house was filled from the east room to the
furthest point in the conservatory at IL o'clock,
when the President and Mrs. Harrison. after a
promenade through the rooms. went upstairs.
Mr.. Sousa and his red-coated band, who had
given delightful musical evening to the COM
pany, did not play Home. Sweet Home" until
the presidential party had settled themselves
| corridor. Appetizing odors all over the house
| turned many a mind supperward. and the
anxiety to get somewhere where this not IN
| usual desire might be gratified caused as much
haste and hurry to get out of the White House
| as there was to get in earlier in the evening.
1t was long past midnight before the chosen
company upstairs got out whose carriages
were waiting at the south entrance fog them,
and worse still was the trial of patience on the
part OF those whose teams were waiting in
front The vestibule was crowded with closely
wrapped forms and even down under the avn
| ing there were others who thus hoped the
| sooner to catch their drivers eye. The major
| ity Of the guests, however, remained very
| sensibly in the pariors until it was possible to