Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-03
THEWORLD OF SOCIETY
The Distinguished Gathering at the
White House Last Evening.
THE SECOND STATE DINNER.
Honoring the Diplomatic Corps-A Brilliant
Scene-Reception at the Korean legation
MRS. Romero's Hospitable Home-MrA
Dixon's Tea-Gay Scenes.

Inc president and Mrs. Harrison at the Sec
ond state dinner Of the season last night enter
famed the diplomatic corps. inviting to meet
them the Secretary Of State and Mrs Blaine
ana several Senators and members of the for
elgn affairs committees with their wives. The
white House has not been as extensively and
tastefuliy decorated Mt any time this winter
as 1t was for this dinner, AS difficult it is {.
arrange flowers or plants in any novel way in q
room where certain forms have attained the
dignity of custom there was freshness and
change last night that every one appreciated.
The decorators in the east room were from the
Botanical Gardens. There were fewer palms
than usual and more blooming plants The
chandeliers were draped with ropes Of smilax
ana pyramids OF foliage plants almost reached
up to them. The rest Of the parlors were
decked by Mr.. Phster's men and the flowers
came from the White House Conservatives,
which are now especially rich in primroses
azsleas, white hyacinths, annunciation lilies,
jonquils and tulips The arrangement in each
of the rooms was uniformly pleasing. but the
state dining room was the particular gem. The
dinner was an orchid display as well as an
teinational bread-breaking. General infor-
nation on the orchid family is no longer con-
fined to few enthusiastic lovers of this air
plant So the fact that Cattega trianals
formed the centerpiece on the table, that the
round baskets at the corners Of the table were
iull OF deudrobium nobilis orchids and that the
pretty flowers that bloomed only to fade and
die, pinned in the lapel Of every dress coat
around the table, was a deudrobium war
dlan,im, does not sound as unintelligible
as 1T would have year ago. But in spite
of these big names the flowers themselves are
well worth study. The variety in the center
oval cushion is in everyday life known az the
lady slipper orchid, 1t has exquisite coloring
of pinkish mauve in the broad soft petals
The little orchids moro commonly seen filed
the end baskets and between them were
round cushions filed with the pretty nuns
flower. This variety also covered the
mantelpieces and made pretty bits Of soft
coloIing in other directions. The electric
lights in the chandelier shone thr ough a grace
full drapery Of asparagus and smilax and the
table was illumined by the Lighted pink tapers
which burned serenely under silver shades.
The ladies' places round the board were easily
found. for big Vatican bows of mauve satin
ribbon were laid on their plates One end of
the bow had their names and the date in gilt
letters and picture of the White House orna-
mented the other.
The guests commenced to arrive at 7:15
The President and Mrs. Harrison received them
upstairs. When nearly all had assembled they
came down and brilliant scene unfolded itself
IN tho east room. The ladies were bellies last
night sure enough, for there are comparatively
few ladies now in the diplomatic corps. Secre-
tary and Mrs. Blaine arrived on the minute of
7:3O and sending their wraps upstairs, went at
once to the east room. If we have had any
international disputes lately, a casual observer
would not have seen any evidences of it. The
Chilean minister and Madame Mont we're the
observed Of all, and there was a general feel
ing of pleasure that the health of the latter
permitted her to attend the first diplomatic
dinner since their arrival here. When din
ner was announced the President offered his arm
to Mrs. Romero and led the way to the state
dining room. Mrs. Blaine was escorted by Mr.
de Weckherlin, the minister from the Neither
lands; Secretary Blaine took in Nine. Guzman,
who made her first appearance in society this
winter, and Mrs. Harrison was escorted by
Minister Romero. The company received two
always welcome additions in the persons of Mrs
Russell Harrison and Mrs. Dimmick. who charm
ingly increased the number Of ladies and the
appearance OF the table. Count and Countess
Sponneck, having just heard by cable of the
death of the latter's father, sent their regrets
late in the afternoon. Mourning also debarred
Sir Julian and Lady Pauncefote from attend
ing and the Swedish minister was obliged to
send regrets owing to illness.
The guest list Was Secretary and Mrs. Blaine,
Senior and Mrs. Romero, Marquis Imperialli,
Mr.. G.. de Weckherlin, Senior Quesada, Mavro-
yeni Bey, Chevalier Won Tavera, the Nicara-
guam minister and Nine. Guzman, Senior
Hustado, the Korean charge d affaires and
Madame Ye, Mr.. A. de Claparde, Mr.. C. CHAT.
Minister Tsui, Senior de Souza Rosa,
Minister Price, the Spanish charge d'affaires,
and Madame Segrario, the japanese minister
anu Maoane dateno, the charge analres OF
Peru and Sonora de Yrigoyen. Senior
Batres, DR.. Morales, the Hawaiian min
lister and Mrs. Mott Smith, the Chilean
minister and Madame Montt. Mr.. Pate
notre, the charge d'affaires Of Costa
Rica, and Sonora de Calvo. Mr.. Won Mumm
Frye, Senator and Mrs. Henderson, Representa-
tive and Mrs. Blount and Representative and
Mrs. Holman.
Mrs. Harrison's gown was of old rose brocade
with a court train, high bodice with faring
collar and elbow sleeves. She wore her diamond
ornaments. Mrs. Romero was gowned in rose
pink brocade, that had founce of embroidered
chiffon across the hem caught at intervals
with punches of small ostrich tips. Mrs
Blaine wore an elegant gown Of black
brocaded satin that was cut slightly rounded
at the neck, sleeves Of black Brussels net.
Bunches Of black ostrich tips held festooned
founce OF black thread lace across the front of
the skirt Madame Guzman was becomingly
dressed in black silk richly trimmed in
black lace and black ostrich feathers.
Madame Segrario wore royal purple satin.
Madame Montt, garnet velvet and pink crepe;
Mrs. Mott Smith, pale yellow and blue brocade
combined with gold colored crepe; Madame
de frigoyen, pink brocaded satin; Madame
TatenO, pale blue corded silk with lace
trimmings; Madame de Calvo, white brocade
Mrs Henderson, yellow brocade with ostrich
tips; Mrs Sherman, pearl white brocade; Mrs.
Blount black velvet and point lace; Madame
Ye, pink lowered satin; Mrs. Frye black velvet
and pink crepe; Mrs. Russell Harrison,
rose pink brocaded silk trimmed with chiffon
trills on the low-neck waist, and Mrs. Dimmick
a becoming gown of black velvet lace and Jet
Yesterday afternoon was as busy as possible
and the pleasant weather made calling de-
light. Everybody seemed to be abroad. The
teas after O'Clock were the special motive. At
the Korean legation Mr.. and Mrs Ye were re-
ceiying their friends, who came by invitation,
from to Z. 1t was a really charming event.
the attractive young hostess having so many
now that it is a great pleasure
for her to receive them. She received many
congratulations over hertlucky escape from the
serious accident the day before when thrown
from her carriage rs well as upon the fact that
while she was greatly frightened she was also
able to overcome it all SO easily. She was
prettily dressed in pale yellow lowered silk.
Her shining black hair drawn back so smoothly
from her bright, interesting face was dressed
with gOld-headed pins and some very elegant
diamond rings glittered on her tiny hands. Mr..
lie enjoys his Inequalities quite as much as his
wife and the guests had warm welcome from
him. Mrs. Sevcllon Brown received with
Mrs. Ye. In the second parlor Miss Elise
Thompson presided over a daintily laid tea
table. Out in the dining room Miss Marie
Moore and Miss Cuthbert were vis-a-yis al the
table. Miss Beatrice Farquhar did the honors
Of the punch bowl, while Miss White, Miss
Towne and Miss katherine Riggs assisted the
hostess ut whatever point she desired them.
The entire diplomatic corps and nearly every
body prominent in society's ranks seemed at
ON iuna or tn ha