Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-20
THEW0RLD0F SOCIETY
The Brilliant State Dinner at the
White House Last Night.
A NOTABLE AssEMBLAGE.
Lavish Display of Floral Decorations-EIe-
CANT Costumes-Mrs. Romero's Hospitable
Reception-Personal Matters of General
Interest.

yiolets, and their delicate perfume filed the
house. such quantities of these costly bios
SONS have rarely ever been seen at a dinner.
Along the old-time gilt plateau were three oval
piaeques. the two end ones entirely Of purple
violets- The center piece was an oval basket OF
green, upon which lay with outstretched wings
our national emblem-the American eagle. His
eagleship was made of violets, but white ones,
and his noble form could be distinctly seen
from the furthest corner of tho table. After
reading The STAR last night the guests would
probably have been better pleased to see the
proud bird in an upright position, soaring as II
were, but finding him tiattened out on his back
gave the opportunity for many little wittlcisms
around the plateau fair Columbias in
shining gilt each held in small glass
vases above her head two fragrant
heaps of yiolets. thus encircling the table with
them. At the ends OF the cloth there were rings
OF yiolets The boutonniers were of violets,
bat the ladies found at their places big Vatican
bows of violet satin ribbon. Upon one end of the
long streamers was the lady name and the date
painted III oddly shaped gilt letters by Mr.. D..
l. Pruden, whose taste and skill always finds
graceful expression at the state dinners. A
vIgnette OF the south front of the White House
was on the other end of the ribbon. little
girl and boy are represented IN 1t playing on
the lawn. Future historians and art collectors
may insist that these little people were Master
benjamin and Mary Lodge Mckee. Several
courses OF the new china and all the new glass
were used last night, adding form of enjoy
mens to every guests appreciation of good
dinner. The tapers in the silver candelabras
were violet color and they burned under white
shade. The state dining room had only purple
blossoms in the flowers decking the mantels
and bullets.
President and Mrs. Harrison met their guests
In the east room, which was more profusely
decorated than at any time previous this season
Each mantei and window recess were banked
With foliage plants and pink and white azalea
bushes The chandeliers, the tall mirrors, the
columns had all n decking or draping OF smilax
or asparagus The center door had a drapery
formed OF smilax ropes Topped back at either
side.
When all the guests had assembled, and some
we're fashionably late. not arriving until nearly
clock, the President, giving his arm TO Mrs
Morton, led the way to the dining room. At
the end of the procession was the Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs Harrison At table the President
had Mrs. Morton on his right and Mrs. Elkins
on his left hand Mrs. Harrison on the oppo-
site side had the Vice President on her right
and the Secretary of War at her left hand.
The other guests were the Attorney General
and Mrs Miller, the Postmaster General and
Mrs Nanamaker, the Secretary OF the Navy,
the Secretary of the Interior and Mrs Noble,
the Secretary OF Agriculture and Mrs. Rusk.
General and Mrs. Schoield, Senator and Mrs.
Cuiiom. Senator Gibson Of louisiana, Senator
and Mrs Walthall, Senator and Mrs. Gallinger
Representative H. A. Herbert Of Alabama, Rep
resentative and Mrs. John E Reyburn of Penn
sylysnia, Commodore and Mrs. Ramsay. Z. s.
navy; Mr. George W. Childs Of Philadelphia
Mr.. and Mrs. George Il. Roberts of Phila-
delphia. Mrs. Sheridan, Mrs. Dimmick and Mr.
and Mrs Russell Harrison.
At the last moment Secretary Blaine sent over
word that he could not attend the dinner. Mrs
Blaine had previously sent regrets because of
indisposition- Regrets were also received from
Secretary and Mrs. Foster, Speaker and Mrs.
Crisp and Mrs. Wilmerding, all on accoun. of
illness.
The gowns worn by the ladies were very ele-
CANT. Mrs Harrison, in harmony with her ia
bic. wore violet velvet, a rounded bodice with
pulled sleeves and full court train of velvet
with a pettieoat of white satin, upon which cas-
cades of lace were held with punches of white
ostrich tips Fine old point trimmed the
bodice.
with low-necked waist that had deep f1ounce
of red crepe falling over the hips and short
pulled sleeves Of the crepe.
Mrs. Russell Harrison had on one of her
Paris gowns, white satin and pearl trimming
and wore her diamonds
Mrs. Dimmick wore white silk and MORE with
lace.
Mrs, Noble wore dark ruby velvet and black
brocaded satin
Mrs, Wauamaker had on a superb gown of
mauve brocade-
Mrs. Ekins was elegantly dressed in silver
blue poult de sole combined with light brocade
and fine lace; pearls and diamond ornaments
Mrs Miller wore steel bengaline and pink
satin with lace.
Mrs Rusk had on a princess dress Of pale
blue brocade.
Mrs. schofeld wore white silk and lace and
twist and bow of pink ribbon in her hair
Mrs Cullom, pale blue satin and lace
Mrs WaltnaH wore an elegant gown Of mauve
SATIN trimmed with point lace and pearl passe-
meptries.
Mrs. Ganinger wore rose pink brocadea
Satin
Mrs. Phil Sheridan wore black silk, with
black Brussels net and jet trimmings
Mrs Roberts, dark red velvet and white
satin.
Mrs Ramsey. light blue satin and MORE.
Mr. Sousa had his relocated musicians under
hne control and from the first notes of the
presidential polOnaise till the dinner was over
tney Hooded the house with melody They
rendered Ma Belle Adorie" for the first time
In this country
The President today entertained Mr.. and
Mrs. F. ". Breed Of Massachusetts, at luncheon.
Mrs. Romero was at home yesterday after
noon and in spite Of the fact that the weather
presented the worst combination possible the
legation was thronged. Minister romero also
spent the afternoon in the drawing room. The
crowded rooms, bright lights. the pretty
toilets. and the music and dancing in the
bail room made up gay scene. Mrs. Romero
wore dark olive satin, brocade6 in a pattern
of birds and flowers She had assisting her
the pretty blaek-eyed wife of the Gillian min
lister. who wore black and coral satin. Mrs
Menocal. IN black silk lowered in yiolets. and
Mrs. Allen. mother of the hostess in black
eatin and lace who has just come on from New
IorA for her winter visit At the tea table
Miss Ida Thompson poured tea, wearing ligh,
blue crepe and brocade, and Miss Painter did
tie hoEOrs az the chocolate service. She was
dressed IN blue crepe. At the big bowl O,
Mexican punch Mrs. Jules Guthridge. becom.
ingly dressed in white wool, filed her
post most accep:ably. The other assist
ants we're Miss Soale in old rose silk. Miss
Dahlman Of Milwaukee, her guest, in yellow
bengaline, with cocks feather trimming; Mrs
Baldwin. in poppy red gauze; Miss Lansing
pink satin and lace; Miss Nelson, in gray wool
and silver beads, Mrs Turnbuli of Baltimore
white gauze; Miss Hutchinson, gold-embroi
dsrsd black net; Miss Grace Hutchinson pale
blue figured satin, with a yoke Of Russian point
and jet edslngs; Miss Brown. in blue crepe anc
Irish point; the Misses Wheeler one in pinL
and the other in white silk and gauze; Miss
Thomas, in pale yellow silk; her sister, in ligh,
green, and Miss Reynolds in blue, and Miss
Emliy Chauncey Reynolds. in old rose brocadeC
silks AS there were plenty Of men present in
the afternoon dancing in the ball room wen
On without a stop
Mrs Leland Stanford has invitations out 70,
sluncheon Tuesday. February 9.
Mrs Lewis Field Marshall will give q tea or
Saturday.
Mira Charles Gibson will not receive tomor