Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30

President and Mrs. Cleveland will ex-
| change New Year greetings with the repre-
sentatives Of all the foreign countries with
| which we hold pleasant relations, and with
| a representative section of the American
public. according to the same old program
which has been considered the dignified and
proper thing since the White House has had
an occupant. Unless death or sickness in
terrupt, the White House will present the
same familiar scene this coming first day of
the year as 1t has, say. for the last ten. Those
| who have watched the pageant once are as
well able to describe it as one who has seen
1t dozens of times. The only change In the
shifting Of the panorama is the introduction
of new figures. This time 1t will be a new
deal all around, and it is doubtful II a doz-
en- Of those who took a prominent part in
the reception of New Year Of '92 will be
seen again in their old places. Nobody,
however. who is keeping up with the process
sion has time to waste any sentiment over
the changes wrought by the whirligig of
politics. but somehow or other the topic has
been uppermost lately and has invited dis
cussion. Last year, for the first time in
many, the White House and all other Off
cial homes were closed on New Year on &C
count of the recent death of Mrs. Harri-
son. But on Monday. in all human proba-
bility, the play will be given again, and all
the change the stranger will observe will
be the entirely new cast. After all that is
what makes Washington social life the
unique, fascinating study 1t Is. The new
people provide fresh Impressions and brand
new experiences for those to whom the show
might otherwise become a dreary. uninter
esting repetition. SO let the band play.
Roll up the curtain and let us enjoy what
the gods have provided.
The White House, old as 1t Is and as
sha bby as 1t seems when a bright light is
Introduced into its dark corners, has some
thing very attractive about 1t to visitors
Who have not been there in long time
Virtually the house has been closed to 50
cial gatherings for the last year and q hal.
excepting the events that Immediately fol-
lowed the Inauguration of Mr.. Cleveland.
The freshening up process has this time at
tackled the red room, and when the ambas-
sailors and ambassadresses and all the
rest Of the foreigners meet there next Mon
day morning, ten TO one they Will spend the
waiting minutes admiring the improve
n.ents. The high ceiling has bright, jew
eled effect. There is new warm-tinted
| carpet, the furniture has new red satin bro
caded coverings, the new window curtains
are of the same material, and the woodwork
Of the room is mahogany, carved to har-
| mpnize with the mantelpiece, which has al
ways been the feature of the room.
The floral decoration of the state parlors
on New Year Is very elaborate, ana This
| time will be no exception. The mantels Of
the blue and east rooms are usually the
show-on places for the best the gardener Of
| the mansion can do.
! President and Mrs Cleveland, the Vice
President and Mrs. Stevenson, and the cabi-
! net members and their ladies will exchange
/ the compliments OF the day when they meet
| upstairs. but that will not prevent them
! from going formally through the same cour-
| tesy again when they reach the blue parlor.
! Then the president, his wife, Mrs. Steven
| son and the cabinet ladies will form a line.
! and then the diplomatic reception will be-
! gin. The Secretary of State takes hand
| in this as he introduces each foreigner to
| the President. After this formality is over,
Col. Wilson, commissioner of public build
! lngs and grounds, Introduces all the rest OF
| the official grandees to the President. Capt.
| William l.. Pitcher of the eighth infantry is
/ billed to perform the same pleasing duty for
I Mrs. Cleveland on this and on all similar
f, occasions during this administration.
The program of the official reception, be-
gfnntng at IL. will cover one hour and
! a hall and the same time is allotted to the
public the whole reception to be over at
! The first OF these receptions at the out
| set of q new administration requires some
very nice handling. Those who are unfa-
millar WITH the little details of position.
precedence dress and all the rest of the
small things .ha. torment good people
| sometimes have 10 be given the necessary
| information. but 1t must be done very
adroity. 1t Is understood that the CABINET
ladies and the others invited to the blue
parlor have been told that high-necked
| dresses are the proper thing for the occa-
| sion, and high-necked gowns Will be worn
| exclusively. This very good aovlce VIII
| prevent the incongruous mixing up of de-
collette ball gowns. reception dresses and
| all the rest of the elaborate and extremely
plain toilettes usually seen at these New
| Year receptions. 1t Is wise precaution
| and will start things going right.
A number of ladies are asked pehlnd the
4, line. This list Is long and includes all the
| ladies and guests in the Vice Presidential
and cabinet households. and the wives and
daughters of many Senators and Congress
men, as well as a number OF Mrs. Cieve-
lands acquaintances in private life. Inc
Vice President and the members of the
cabinet are also asked to remain in the
blue parlor during the reception
The Secretary of State and Mrs. Gresham
win entertain the diplomatic corps at
breakfast on New Year day, after they
leave the White House, following in this
regard a custom as long established as the
other forms of the day.
The Vice President and Mrs. Stevenson
will receive callers at their hotel, La Nor
mandie from 2 O'Clock until .. and will be
assisted by their daughters and other mem
beers of their family, and number of la
dies mostly Illinois friends, wives OF Sem
ators and members.
All the cabinet ladies have arranged for
receptions during the afternoon, and among
| the other official receptions or the day Will
| be that held at the residence Of Gen. Scho-
field.
| Speaker Crisp's wife will receive with
Mrs. Stevenson.
January 1. 1894. will usher in a lively
| week in social matters. After the varied
pleasures of the day, society will be re-
galed by brilliant event at the British
embassy, when the third daughter of Sir
Julian and Lady Pauncefote, Miss Lillian,
will be presented. Miss Lillian has been at
| tending the holiday dances and last season
participated to a small degree in the great
occasions at the embassy.
Senator and Mrs. Brice will give dinner
party the first of their winter series, on
New Year.
Some of the other leading events Of the
week are in the following list:
Tuesday-Mrs. Moore, a breakfast in hon.
or of Mrs. Lamont.
Wednesday-The marriage of Senator
Faulkner and Miss Whiting at Hampton
Va, will attract a large gathering of friends
from here.
Mrs Stevenson and the ladies Of cabinet
families will receive and generally their
hours will be from till ;.
Senator and Mrs. Dolph will give a din
ner
The first OF the Bachelors cotillions will
be given at the Rifles hall.
Thursday-President and Mrs. Cleveland
will give their first state dinner, in honor
Of the cabinet.
Representative and Mrs Draper will give
q dinner
Solicitor General and Mrs. Maxwell. a