The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-18
SOCIETY AT THE CAPITAL.
Mrs. Lamont the FaVOTite Of Mrs.
Cleveland.

The Four Hundred Of the omoial World
Not Inclined to Take Mrs. Lamont's
Elevation Graciously-Mrs, Lamont,
However Stands the Scrutiny and
Comes Out of Her First Bout With
Society Stamped as Charming"
Mrs. Cleveland's Receptions.
Washington, Dec 11.-Society has
opened up with all of its variegated color
ing. The homes of the cabinet officers for
the first time We're thrown open to the
public on Wednesday. This day has been
set apart by society in general for the
lat homes" of the cabinet Offices wives.
Last Wednesday for the first time Mrs.
Lamont's new home on Lafayette square,
directly opposide the white house, was
inspected by the fashionable denizens of
the capital, lies danes du monden went
10 criticise but came away to praise. 1t
had been whispered about that Mrs.
Cleveland had chosen Mrs Lamont as her
representative in society when not APP
pearing herself.
This caused as much consternati tion in
official society as President Cleveland's
announcement that he had placed Dan
Lamont at the head of the war depart
ment, did throughout the party.
But as Lamont has proved equal to his
opportunities, and ranks all other officers
in the Presidents estimation of value, so
has Mrs. Lamont stood the scrutiny OF
the fashionable set. and has come out of
her first bout, qualified by the authori-
ties on feminine cleverness, as simply
charming
SOCIETY DIsPLEAsED.
AS the country at large seemed at first
to resent the eX-private secretary being
made minister of state, so did that
most caustic side of life called fashion
able society,"" resent in open terms the
enlargement of the wife's social functions
Without the characteristics which
marred the womanhood of Queen Anne's
faVorite, Mrs. Lamont, in other respects,
is the Lady Churchill of this administra-
tion. During the past summer while La
mont was directing the war policy OF the
government, il ii has one, Mrs Lamont
was presiding sweetly but tyrannically
over Mrs. Cleveland's tea kettle. But
with the opening of official life
her sphere is enlarged she ranks all other
women in point of prestige and hereafter,
at least for the next four years, those
whom she sees are seen and those whom
she does not see are cut.
At this stage too much cannot be
learned about this little woman for, be-
fore the winter is over, she will not only
be setting the fashion as TO when aud
how to smile, but will even have her
corsets copied by the fashionable maya
zines of the land.
Hereafter il will be almost as great q
compliment TO tell woman that she is
the "image of Mrs Lamont as it was TO
find likeness to Mrs. Cleveland during
the first administration.
So, the good women who are not vet
prepared to take as an example para
mount the wife of the ex-priyate secre-
tary had better begin 10 take in their
skirts where hers are taken in, adopt her
manner of smiling, and let the hair grow
gray instead of using soda, for Mrs. La
mont is gray and only 3d.
MRS. cLEvELAND's RECEPTIONS.
Mrs. Cleveland will continue the policy
inaugurated during her first regime of
receiving those who are desirous of meet
ing her. 1t is only necessary for one
wishing to see Mrs. Cleveland to make
the request by letter. Mrs. Cleveland
has two secretaries who do nothing but
answer such requests, appointing an hour
of future day when the visitor is ex-
pected. When she first inaugurated
this system it was found that a hun
dred or more sometimes had received
the same date, and what was thought
would be a tetera-tete visit, would turn
out to be large reception. The ushers
at the white house had orders to show
callers into the blue room where they
waited, taking turns in being shown into
the green room, where IL was Mrs. Cleve-
lands custom to take her place. The in
Productions are made by the chief usher
who allows an interval of few moments
to occur in order that each guest might
have the opportunity for little chat with
the first lady of the land. The ordinary
Saturday afternoon receptions are ex-
haustiye and yield little pleasure
and are satisfactory to neither hostess
or guest Her first leveo will be
held on Dec. 10, and will be a very exclus-
i've affair, as the following form of invi-
tatiOn will show:
Mrs. Cleveland will be most happy to
receive Justice and Mrs. --- Tues
day afternoon, Dec. 10, between the hours
OF and So
1t is usual for the Presidents wife
to inaugurate her receptions by receiving
the justices and the ladies Of the court.