Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-05

How and Where They Held Thoir llrtt
Reo.ption--some Of the Notable. Pres
ent-The spiendor Of the Dess Of the
Gue.ts-rea and Cake. but No music.
The first presidential New Years rcoep-
tlon was held by General Washington IN
the executive mansion In the thon aristo
cratic purlieu Of Cherry street The house
itself was one " the finest mansions Ia New
York. 1t stood on the corner Of Cherry
street and Franklin square, near where
Harper's publishing house now stands. IL
wins q handsome. substantial structure Of
brick md stone with n hospitable looking
door In the center aud broad light rooms
stretching FAR back on both sides Of n lofty
hall. Tothe right were the drawing rooms
and hero In stately elegance the iIut lady
in the land received hoF New Years guests
for the first time.
General Washington himself. always the
central figure, no matter what the sur
roundlngs, stood beside his wife. His
superb physique and his noble face,
crowned with light brown hair, scarce
threaded with silver aud illumine1 by his
mild yet brilliant blue eyes, gained added
charms from his rich coat and brcoches OF
black velvet, his silver knee aud shoe
buckles studded with gems, bis white
satin vest enriched with silver lace aud
buttons. and his hair, powdered, gathered
Into silk big and further ornhmented
with ribbon bow.
Nc les imposing was Lady Washington.
who, In gorgeous attire, received eAch
guest with digulted grace. Her beautiful
gown OF white satin itted her stately form
TO perfection. The long, pointed waist.
the elaborate train, the tehu OF shecrust
lace, folded dcmurcy upon the breast, and
the beautiful. becoming headdress arc ia.
millar to every one. She also wore neck.
lace and stomaeher Of rare jewels.
IL was not customary Tor 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 oourtesies were OK.
changed Mrs. Washington extended her
mittened hand, heavy with gems. and
lightly but graciously touched the hands
OF her guesta. From o'clock until ga
steady stream Of brilliant pcrsonages
poured through the rooms.
General and Mrs. Washington stood at
the farther end OF tho second drawing
room. A liveried servant at the door TO
ceiyed the namo OF the guest aud announced
Il In trumpetllke tones. The refrain was
then taken up by second "pampered men
ialn and repeated TO General Washington,
who In turn presented the caller to his
wife. rcserying his own Salutations until
hers had been made.
The two parlors In which the reception
was held wero large, long aud lofty. Tho
ceilings were Of white and gold, rs We're
the paneled walls; long mirrors framed In
the same delicate tlnts 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 attiro to usher In the
new year with wishes couchcd la oourtly
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 enc OF the sweetest looking women In
New York. Her tall and graceful figure
gsllned additional height and grace from
her beautiful gown Of pink brocade, fall
ing Ia long leose folds from her shoulders
f. the back aud opening Ia front over a
pcttleoat OF white satin, from which it was
loOped back with punches OF pink roses.
Her low cut corsage showed TO ADVANTAGE
her fine neck aud shoulders, set la frame
OF rare old lace, aud 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 Grliln, next appeared on
the scene. Lady Christina. who was rather
austere and gsunt In appearance, was re
served Ia manner and In 81 health. She
was not very beautiful nor very fashion
able; indeed, she was cmnently plain aud
wee bit ''dowdy," fear. for she wore d
gown OF gray stun with white silk ker
chief about her presumably thin shoulders
aud some plumes Of funereal black IN hei
hair.
\ vivid contrast 70 her and her taclturu
lord were the secretary Of state and Mrs
John jay. Mr.. Jay was most charming
man, OF faultless manner and had, we ar,
told, "beneyolence portrayed In every fea
trre" lie dressed plainly for the times
but with great taste. His coat Of dark
plum eolored velvet. trimmed with gold
lace, his brooches Of satin. his long sill
stockings Of pale lilac, his diamond buck
les AZ knee aud lnstep, made a most elegant
attire. Mrs. jay, who was perhaps III,
leader OF social life In New York. was very
young, very beautiful. very charming, aud
what We would now, for want OF u better
word, call "stylish."
She dressed always most showily, but
with great elegance, Her costume nov
licked none Of IT, usual splendor. III,
long trailing robe Of pale blue satin wa
brocaded with large plush roses, 80 natura
that one almost detected their perfume
Tue very low corsage was bordered viii
superb gems. and strings Of diamonds ant
pearls were twisted la her beautiful hair
which fell In most delightful ripples abou
her throat and shoulders. Her jewels wor'
among the most celebrated In New Yurl,
aud on this occasion she wore most Of them
Another notable belle aud beauty WA
Mrs. Rufus King. Her features wer
"hultily faultios," her clear brunette
complexion contusted strl,ingly with he
wildly blue eyes, and her beautiful bAci
hair and ilnu teeth were famous for thei
perfection,
The women Of tho day inclined TO tn
most magnificent fabrics and 10 luxuriou
drgalng In all directions. They wore thal
hair very high on the top OF the hNud uni
frequently covered II with superb orng
monts. Many OF them, instead Of powder
used a pomude 10 make the hair glossy
and whore the hair WAS OF n hioud tint th
effect was very becoming. Cosmetics wer
little used, Ion several foreign uoblemen
who even thus early began 10 have Rec
objections Of America comment on tn
fact that the women were pale and had III
Tie color
Beautiful a. was the dress Of the belle %
q U... 80 e.