The Portland daily press., 1892-01-01

color, even Of red Indeed, the latter
seemed a notable fayorite. The cooked hat
enriched with gold lace and coris, was a7
elaborate as the headgear of q tailor
made" woman of our time The vest,
usually OF white satin, frequently heavily
embroidered with gold, silver or colors,
always ornamented with noticeable and
often valuable buttons, had long flaps its
entire length, and was, after the coat, the
most pronounced article of attire.
Ruf1ies of lace, fine as that worn by
"their sisters, their cousins or their aunts,"
fell about their well kept hands and adown
their snowy shirt bosoms. The widest
latitude in color and fabric was permitted,
and though General Washington, Mr.. Jay,
Robert Morris and other distinguished
men confined themselves to black, white
or scarcely visible colors, many of the
celebrities Of the day wore hues as vivid or
as delicate as the most dainty debutante.
Mrs. Washington never requested her
weekly visitors to be seated. Indeed, all
the chairs were removed from the room
and only sofa remained, and before this
she stood. On this New Years day the
usual custom prevailed throughout the
afternoon. From 4 until 6 there was u
temporary lull in the arrivals, and General
Washington and his wife improved the
momentary quiet by partaking of some
slight refreshment.
Shortly after 6 o'clock the stream of
callers began to flow again, and the guests
who now came in splendid attire, surpass-
ing that of the afternoon, remained for
long periods, as the seats had been replaced
in the rooms. There was never music at
the usual Friday receptions of Lady Wash
ington, nor was an exception made on this
more important occasion. The subdued
tones Of the courtly gallants, the pretty
ripple of laughter from even prettier lips,
and the continuous rattle and rumble of
arriving and departing equipages alone
broke the silence. But one innovation was
made in favor of New Years. Refresh
ments were served at o'clock, and though
to uswho often "view with critics eye"
party supper Of game, salads, terrapin,
oysters, ices, ETC., ad infnitum, the prof
fered entertainment looks very simple, it's
simplicity provoked no comment. Tea and
coffee, plum cake aud plain cake were
served
The Washington menage was famed for
its chipa its silver, its glass and linen
The family plate, most Of which descended
from the Custis side of the house, was
magnificent. 1t had been brought to New
York by Mrs. Washington, ard on her ar
rival was all melted down and reproduced
in more elegant and harmonious forms.
Each piece displayed the arms Of the Wash
ingtons, and much of it is still in the pos
session of the Custis family The massive
salver, 221S inches long. and 1715 wide, is
oval and perfectly devoid of all ornamen-
tation save a rim of beading at the outer
edge. Upon thisw served tea and coffee
in cups Of cobweb fineness, so thin that the
liquid within showed from without its
exact height in the cup. Two men serv-
ants, dressed in plain livery, passed the
cups that cheered but surely did not in
ebriate. Though hot punches, sangaree
and wines of every sort were drunk in
great quantities and at all times, Lady
Washington seems to have been as unwill-
ing to serve them as was one of her recent
successors.
Imagination can scarcely paint a more
charming scene than her parlors must now
have shown. On whichever side one
looked beauty and wisdom, birth and
wealth, bravery and distinction marked
the brilliant assemblage There was a
SoS1scly uiShiOy aHu DIeSulnS, an lnuSScrlD-
able atmosphere of elegance, that were
surely part of ssohe grace of day that is
dead" for we never see them now. AL
though music enlivened the reception the
guests were not without occupation. Con-
versation had not then become a lost art,
and on such occasions as this it reached it's
highest perfection. AS o'clock struck,
Lady Washington rose, and, stepping for.
ward with complacent smile, said, 1.-The
general usually retires at o'clock and |
always precede him." and with the deep
and graceful courtesy that. with other
beautiful things, has fallen into the limbo
of desuetude, she withdrew, and the first
presidential New Years reception was a
thing of the past.-Home Journal.