The herald., 1894-01-02
SWELL NEW YEARS RECEPTIONS,
Festivities at the National
Canital.
The Event of the Season in Official
Society.
Frssidens am Mrs. Cleveland Keep
Open Ho, ss 90 All Comers-A
Esma1 Crank CFeatss
n Diversien.
IBy the Associated = ress.

= Diversion.
EBy the Associated ress.
WAsHNaToN, J, an. New Year's
opened bright and crisp. The day was
more generally obj erved here than in
most other cities. " hile the custom OF
receiving New Years talls is falling into
neglect among the more fashionable set,
official society continues to observe it.
These receptions, however, do not begin
until the afternoon, and the event OF the
morning and early afternoon wtml the
reception at the white house. Tbs ex-
ecutive mansion was tassefully but not
elaborately decorated for the ocs 'sslon
with wreaths Of smilax twined about
the chandeliers, and potte folia ge and
Aowering plants suitably diE'poHee. about
the blue room, from which d sylis Int was
excluded. and blaze of light II ON the
great q vstal chandelier took it's place.
The blue room was more deliberately
decorated than the reet of tt house,
being frightened with palms, tropical
plants, Chinese primroses, rose e. macs,
carnations, tulips and white ny scintha;
At III a. m. the president isceiSeo
the vice-president, members OF sae CAD
met and diplomatic corps; at IL; 10. the
iudees of the various courts, led by
the justices of the supreme court; about
IL rs, members Of congress, ex-mei nbers
of the cabinet and ext nited b tates
ministers; ct IL 40, officers of the army
and nayv: at noon, the regents OF the
Smithsonian institution, civil sertuce
commissioners, interstate CONNIE rec
commissioners and heads OF depa rt-
ments and bureaus; at 1876, Veterans
OF wars; ct 1885 to 2 O'Clock, citizen o
generally.
AS the hour for beginning the re-
ception drew near there was tangle
Of handsome carriages drawing mp. to
tne marble poT sioo, ss.eseSy o. Hnem ne-
longing to foreign diplomats, having
heraldic insignia on the boxes.
Promptly at IL o'clock the Marine
band struck up Hail to the Chief. and
the receiving party came down the
main stairway to the blue room. The
president led, with Mrs. Cleveland on
his arm. This was her first public ap-
pearance since the birth of little Esther,
and she was the observed of all OBJ
servers as she came down bowling and
smiling. The president was attired In
conventional black, with q Prince Albert
coat. Mrs. Cleveland q hair was brushed
mn and back, as usual. Her high neck
gown was almost entirely free from
Jewels, and Jewelled comb in her hair
was the only noticeable ornament.
Following the presidential couple
came Vice-President and Mrs. Steven
son, Secretary and Mrs. Gresham, Secre-
tary and Mrs. Carlisle, Secretary and
Mrs. Lamont, Attorney General and
Mrs. Olney, Postmaster-Ge snd
Mrs. Bissell, Secretary and Miss Her
bert, Secretary and Miss Smith and
Secretary and Mrs. Morton.
Inside tho blue room the president
stood at the head Of the receiving line,
giving each hearty handshake and q
sshsppy New Year" Next to him stood
Mrs. Cleveland. and then the ladies OF
the cabinet. Back of the line, but tax
ing no direct part in the reception, be-
yord furnishing an effective and "fetch-
ing'' background, stood two or three
score ladies and young girls, official and
personal friends of Mrs. Cleveland and
the ladies of the cabinet.
Mrs. Cleveland never looked hand
somer than in her gown of vivid ma
genta moire, with bodice OF Irish point
lace, finished with an artistic mass OF
chiffon at the front. The skirt was en-
tirely without trimmings. Her hair
was done in . simple knot at the back
of her head. She carried no flowers.
Mrs. Stevenson wore gown OF hello
trope velvet, skirt plain and jacket bo-
dicion head MORE of the same shade,
edged with faille chiffon.
Miss Mary Stevenson was attired in
lilac silk, with puffed satin sleeves OF the
same shade.
Miss Letitia Stevenson wore a girlieh
gown of white ACCORDION pleated chiffon,
over white silk, finished with satin rib
bon.
Mrs. Gresham wore q splendid recep-
ton gown of blue velvet, en- train, fin
iehed with gold and heavily trimmed
with point lace sleeves full, skirt elab.
orately trimmed with lengthwise bands
of lace. Es.
Mrs. Stevenson and the ladies of the
cabinet generally held receptions at theil
homes during the afternoon, at which
greetings were exchanged with many
callers. Mrs. Steyenson's parlor at the
Normande was prettily decorated with
palms and flowers. Those assisting in.
cluded Mrs. Crisp, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs
Cullom, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Lindsay
Mrs. Saringer, Mrs. Funk, Mrs. Judge
Weldon, Mrs. John @. Black, Mrs
Frank B. Vroorman. Mrs. George
Vending, Miss Winston, Miss Carr o
Durham, N. c., and the Misses Scot
and Stevenson.