The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-01-01
THEIR FIRST NEW YEARS
GREETING PRESIDENT WASHINGTON
AND HIS WIFE.

How aud Where They Held Their First
Reception-some of tho Notabics Pres
ent-rhc Spicndor of the Dress Of the
Guests--Tca and Cake, but No Music.
The first presidential New Years recep.
IL was held by General Washington in
b. executive mansion In the then aristo-
81 ~ purlieu of Cherry street. The house
vas one of the finest mansions In New
I. r-S. 1t stood on the corner of Cherry
{. ct and Franklin square, near where
7 arper's publishing house now stands. 1t
sa handsome, substantial structure Of
ok aud stone, with hospi,able looking
y in the center and broad light rooms
ching far back on both sides OF n lofty
Tot the right were the drawing rooms,
here in stately elegance the first lady
ne land received her New Years guests
the first time.
;cneral Washington himself always the
.tral figure, no matter what the sur.
indings, stood beside his wife. His
J perb physique and his noble face,
crowned with light brown hair. scarce
threaded with silver aud illumined by his
mild yet brilliant blue eyes, gained added
charms from his rich coat and breeches of
buckles studded with gems, his white
satin vest enriched with silver lace and
buttons, and his hair, powdered gathered
into silk bag and further crnamented
with Il ribbon bow.
No less imposing was Lady Washington,
who, in gorgeous attire, received each
guest with dignifed grace. Her beautiful
gown of white satin fitted her stately form
to perfection. The long. pointed waist,
the elaborate train, the fichu of sheerest
lace, folded dcmurely upon the breast, and
the beautiful, becoming headdress are fa.
miliar to every one. She also wore neck.
lace and stomacher OF rare jewels.
1t was not customary for General Wash.
ing nor his wife to shake hands ut their
receptions, but on New Years day 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 l o'clock until Ia
steady stream of brilliant personages
poured through the rooms.
General and.Mr Washington stood Mt
the farther eud OF the second drawing
room. A liveried servant Mt the door re.
ceived the name Of the guest and announced
it in trumpetlike tones. The refrain was
then taken up by a second 'pampered men
ial" and repeated to General Washington,
who In turn presented the caller to his
wife, rcserving his own salutations until
hers had been made.
The two parlors In which the reception
was held were large, long and lofty. The
ceilings were Of white and gold, as were
the paneled walls; long mirrors framed in
the same delicate tints reflected the beauti-
full gowns, the delicate hues of which
showed to admirable advantage against
the deep scarlet cushions Of the furniture.
All the beauties OF the republican court
came in gorgeous attire TO usher in the
new year with wishes couched in courtly
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 Duer. 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, fall.
ing in long loose folds from her shoulders
in the back and opening in front over
petticoat of white satin, from which it was
looped back with bunches of pink roses.
Her low cut corsage showed to advantage
her fine neck and shoulders, set In frame
OF rare old lace, and her hair drawn up
from her forehead over 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 scenc Lady Christina who was rather
austcre and gaunt in appearance, was re-
served in manner and in i'll health. She
was not very beautiful nor very fashion
able; indeed, she was eminenty plain and
wee bit 'dowdy," fear, for she wore
gown of gray stuff with a white silk ker-
chief about her presumably thin shoulders,
and some plumes of funereal black in her
hair.
A vivid contrast to her and her taciturn
lord were the secretary OF state and Mrs.
John Jay. Mr.. Jay was most charming
man. of faultless manner, and had, we are
told, "benevoence portrayed In every fea-
ture." He dressed plainly for the times,
but with great taste. His coat of dark,
plum colored 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 a most elegant
attire. Mrs. Jay, who was perhaps the
leader OF social ll1e In New 1ork, was very
young, very beautiful. very charming. and
what we would now, for want of better
word, call stylish"
She dressed always most showily, but
with great elegance. Her costume now
lacked none of it's usual splendor. The
long trailing robe of pale blue satin was
brocaded with large plush roses, so natural
that one almost detected their perfume
The very low corsage was bordered 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 notable belle and beauty was
Mrs. Rufus King. Her features were
"faultily faultless,". her clear brunette
complexion contrasted strikingly with her
vividly blue eyes, and her beautiful black
hair and fine teeth were famous for their
perfection.
The womun OF the day inclined to the
most magnificent fabrics and to luxurious
dressing In oil directions. They wore their