Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-13
A BRILLIANT LEVEE.
The Presidents Reception in Honor
of the Diplomatic Corps.
A BALL IN RUSSIAN STYLE.
The Notable Assemblage ut the White House
Last Night-Prominent Men and Women
and Ele:alt Costumes-Mr. Alexandra
Greger's Unique Entertainment.
The Presidents first leyee Of the season Las.


night was a brilliant one socially and also in
numbers. II was in honor Of the diplomatic
| corps. There was a large company present anc
| at 10 o'clock, when some commenced to go
their places were so quickly filed by new arri-
| walls that no appreciable difference could be
| seen in the throng of ladies and gentlemen that
| at that hour crowded every room and hall
clear to the walls. A goodly assemblage was
already present when at o'clock the Marine
Band commenced to play, and q minute after
the shining gilt on the uniforms OF Col Ernst
and Lieut. Parker made them conspicuous hg-
ures way off in the semi-darkness OF the turn
in the west stairway. They led the receiving
party down to their stations in the blue room.
This is the part Of these levees that number
of people most admire. They like to see a GER
tain amount of pomp and circumstance sur
rounding the movements Of the chief executive
and his wife, and at no time does this so come
to the surface as at this formal procession
with the cabinet ministers and their wives
upon the occasions OF these the most ceremo-
NOUS functions we have Behind the Presl-
dent and Mrs Harrison walked the Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Morton, then Secretary and
Mrs. EIkins. the Attorney General and Mrs.
Miller, Secretary Tracy and Mrs. Russell Har-
| rison. Secretary and Mrs. Noble and Secretary
and Mrs Rusk. Secretary Blaine, at the head
of the diplomatic corps. Immediately came in
from the red parlor. Mr.. Blaine stood at the
Presidents left while Mr.. Sevellon Brown
pronounced each name to him, he in turn re-
peating it to the President.
Minister Romero came at the head of his col
leagues followed by the secretaries of his lega-
ton. Mrs. Romero accompanied her husband.
The entire diplomatic body was present, at
least the heads of each legation. They made
a brilliant cavalcade of color. All were in full
court or military dress. The courtly bows they
gave each Of the receiving party was a study of
forms of international politeness. The effect
Of much Of this diplomatic presentation is al
ways lost, because they pass too hurriedly.
Somehow or other the foreigners catch the
nervous energy which Americans inject into
everything they attempt, and the result leads
to many laughable collisions. The Chinese
minister and his secretaries were particularly
Respondent in the procession as it passed the
President and afterward made part Of the
scene in the east room. Mr.. and Mrs. Ye, the
| amiable representatives Of the Korean court
| were also present The new French min
lister, NJ. Patenotre, who is much
more English than French in appearance,
was conspicuous in the throng. NJ. Jules Boen-
foe and other members Of the legation were
with him. The now familiar faces of the Rus
sian secretaries, who later on were to play hosts
to all of fashionable Washington; Mr.. Won Mumm
and his associates in the German legation, the
suave ministers and social favorites, Mr.. lie
CHAT and Mr.. Claparde, Count and Countess
Sponneck, Madame Mendonca and her charm
ing daughters, with Mr. Mario Mendonca, Senior
Quesada, the stalwart form of Sir Julian Paunce-
tote, accompanied by his wife and daughter
and all his secretaries; DR.. Morales, the jap
anese minister and Nine. Tateno, the smiling
Marquis Imperialli, DIR. Guzman, Senior Sc
grario, the Spanish charge d affaires, his wife
and daughter, with the secretaries; Senior and
Nine Peraza, senior and Nine. Bolet- Monagas,
Senior and Nine. Mayorga. Mr.. Grip and Nav
royeni Bey were few Of the most familiar
faces Senior Montt, the Chilean minister, did
not make his appearance until the diplomatic
reception was over, when he entered in the
midst Of a group OF civilians.
In the first hour and a half Of the reception
there were several interludes, when the ladies
of the receiving party In the line had a few
minutes to sit down and rest The President
used these precious moments in passing from
one TO the other of them and having q little
chat. There seems to be no limit to the Presi-
dents endurance in handwriting. He never
complains of the least fatigue from it.
If Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Morton had chosen
their gowns last night with the idea of their
close proximity they could scarcely have made
better selections. Mrs. Harrison's gown which
she donned for the first time, was OF amber
satin that had wide stripes of MORE in it. The
skirt was plain all around, save double ruffle
Of lace across the front, joined by a narrow
band Of sable. The jacket bodice was cut in
point under which a deep ruffie of fine lace
fell. The sleeves were also of the lace, pulled
high over the satin and reaching to the elbow.
Around the neck was q narrow band Of the
sable, which was intensely becoming against
the plump white neck. A vest OF crystal and
pearl embroidered satin completed this elegant
necklace and a diamond rose and aigrette in
her hair. She carried Marechal Neil buds in a
bouquet and point lace fan.
Mrs Morton was in pale blue brocaded SATIN
1t had also jacket effect in the bodice with
broad square tabs. The neck was cut low and
around the shoulders. The vest Of the jacket
was of silver-beaded white satin. She wore a
necklace Of large pearls. diamond roses in the
lace on each shoulder and diamond ornaments
in her hair She also carried a blue fan.
Mrs. Elkins wore q trained gown of corded
white silk that had looped garlands all around
the hem, embroidered in gilt The bodice was
low necked and also had rich gilt embroidery.
All around the low neck were small white ostrich
tips, giving a becoming finish. She also wore
pearls and diamonds.
Mrs. Wanamsker wore black velvet jetted
with small nail heads. A yoke of Lavender
satin, also jetted. finished the waist. She wore
superb diamonds.
Airs. Miller wore pale lavender MORE and
pink brocade. The dress was princess and
opened down the front to show the pink petit
coat On the waist were dangling silver passe-
menteries.
Mrs. Noble wore q superb new gown Of black
satin, brocaded in sprays OF wisteria The
train was Of deep claret velver. The bodice
was slightly rounded at tho neck and had half
Mrs. Rusk wore pale blue brocade and point
lace. The bodice was a jacket.
Beside the cabinet ministers behind the line
there were Senator and Mrs. Leland Stanford.
DR.. Scott, Mr.. Russell Harrison. Mrs Rhine
lander Jones, Mrs. and the Misses Letter. all
the young ladies Of the cabinet Mrs. Elan,
Mr.. and Mrs. George Gould of New York, Mrs
GARRISON, Miss Lucy Corkhili, Mrs. and Miss
Houston OF New York, the Misses Hutchinson,
Miss Morris OF Baltimore. Miss Grace Davis,
Miss Batcheller, Gen. and Mrs. Schofeld and
many others especially invited by Mrs Mckee
to that enviable position.
Mrs Mckee wore a rich gown Of white
corded silk, with pearl passementeries.
Mrs Russell Harrison, who just arrived yes
terday, and looking handsomer than ever,
wore superb gown Of pale blue brocaded
satin, low necked, and had on her diamond
necklace and many other fine gems.
There were some splendid gowns worn. Mrs.
Romero was in pink brocade, q princess dress
opening to show q petticoat OF white satin,
over which fell tablier of pink and white
crystals. with u deep fringe. Mrs Stanford
wore black chantilly lace over mauve satin and
| some OF her magnificent diamonds necklace,
bracelets and spray in her hair; Mrs Eugene
Hale, black satin and diamonds; Mrs. Senator
Gordon. black velvet and diamonds; Miss Cor
don, blue tulle; Mrs. Dimmick, white silk;
Mrs. Parker, French gray corded silk and
pearls; Mrs. George Gould, maize brocade,
diamond necklace; Mrs. n. L. Jeffries, pale
blue brocade; Mrs. Lander. yellow satin and
chantily lace; Mrs Letter, black velvet and
Irish point; the Misses Letter. white tulle;
Mra Hemphill, bridal gown Of white satin;
Miss Hutchinson, pink tulle; Miss Grace
| m &.hs Ax,fl