The Portland daily press., 1892-01-01
THEIR FIRST NEW YEARS.
Greeting President Washington and
His Wife.

How and Where They Held Their First
Reception-So,ne of the NotabIes Pres
ent-The Splendor of the Dress of the
Guests-Tea and Cake, but No Music.
The first presidential New Years recep-
ton was held by General Washington in
the executive mansion in the then aristo-
cratic purlieu of Cherry street. The house
itself was one of the finest mansions in New
York. 1t stood on the corner of Cherry
street and Franklin square, near where
Harper's publishing house now stands. 1t
was handsome, substantial structure Of
brick and stone, with hospitable looking
door in the center and broad light rooms
stretching far back on both sides of lofty
hall. To the right were the drawing rooms,
and here in stately elegance the first lady
in the land received her New Years guests
for the first time
General Washington himself, always the
central figure. no matter what the sur
roundings, stood beside his wife, His
superb physique and his noble face,
crowned with light brown hair scarce
threaded with silver and illumined by his
mild yet brilliant blue eyes, gained added
charms from his rich coat and brooches of
black velvet, his silver knee and shoe
buckles studded with gems, his white
satin vest enriched with silver lace and
buttons, and his hair, powdered, gathered
into silk bag and further ornamented
with q ribbon bow.
No less imposing was Lady Washington,
who, in gorgeous attire, received each
guest with dignihed grace Her beautiful
Of wi ccfi har 4o1x
to perfection. The long, pointed waist,
the elaborate train, the fichu of sheerest
lace, folded demurely upon the breast, and
the beauti Il, becoming headdress are ia
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 at 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 3 a
steady stream of brilliant personages
poured through the rooms.
General and Mrs. Washington stood at
the farther end of the second drawing
room. A .liveried servant at 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, reserving 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 a
petticoat of white satin, from which it was
Topped back with punches 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 a 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 scene. Lady Christina, who was rather
austere 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 eminently plain and
a wee bit ''dowdy," fear, for she wore
gown of gray stuff with 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 a most charming
man, of faultless manner, and had, we are
told, "benevolence 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 most elegant
attire. Mrs. Jay, who was perhaps the
leader of social life in New York, 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
faulty faultless," her clear brunette
complexion contrasted strikingly with her
wildly blue eyes, and her beautiful black
hair and fine teeth were famous for thei,
perfection.
The women of the day inclined to the
most magnificent fabrics and to luxurious