The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-21
WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
There Are Two Sets Of 1.-THE Way
They Entertain.

With Little Pleasure-And Still They
Like It.
Washington, Jan 0.-Washington is a
queer place socially. One who mas never
visited at the capital can have no idea of
the methods pursued in the social cam
paigu which is waged here from Dec.
until Ash Wednesday. The city is largely
made up of Episcopalians and Catholics,
so much so that society comes to a dead
halt the night before Ash Wednesday.
But in the short time in which the wheel
turns there are more entertainments than
In any city in the country, including New
York. Society here presents an anoma-
lous state Of affairs to any one but resi-
dent, and it is hard for a fashionable
dame living anywhere else than on the
continent OF Europe to conceive of the
visitor being forced to pay the first call
There are two distinct sets in Washing
ton society. First, that which is made
up OF the members IN Official life, and
secondly, those Of the Old army and navy,
and the old residents Of the district. The
latter are more exclusive, and while their
entertainments lSck the glitter and brill
hanCy Of the congressional circle, yet
there is 81 elegance which Is only found
In older COMMITTEES throughout the
south Sozs q TIE most fashionable
women @ TIE any 2EC navy among the
old residents wAc never call at q cabinet
home, have EsvsE net > senator's wife,
and profess ROT % know that representa-
tives exist IL Is IN this society that the
residents Of Alexandra and Georgetown
move. Persons living IN these two places,
who can date their lineage to the time
of Washington and Jefferson, belong TO
this inner circle. But while this society
is undoubtedly more elegant, more exclu-
sive and more Self-satisfed in their ex-
change of luncheOns, teas, dinnerfparties
and receptions, yet TO the visitor the con-
gressional circle is by far the more inter
esting. The conversations among the old
residents of the district is largely made
up in bemoaning the fact that the capitol
was ever placed in Washington, and when
they see the home of Dolly Madison turned
into a scientific club and paint Of yellow
the home of Charles Sumner turned into
hotel annex, they sigh at the generation
of the present day, but when movement
was started few days ago to tear down
the Old Court Church, with all
presidents up to the time of Lincoln had
attended, their Indignation broke into
open revolt and the movement was
quelched almost as soon as started. But
IL is not this society that attracts
the sightseeer or tourist. When
they go to an entertainment they
go largely to meet a class of political cele-
brities in social life. The social follow
ing from the south, west and east wants
to know on entering the House whom it
will see. Senator German has a fascina-
for all. Joe Blackburn, of Kentucky, is a
notable figure in the drawing room. Tom
Reed, more often than any other member
of congress makes a white shirt front at
a handsome dinner and pays for an elab-
crate spread by making the meal half as
pleasant as sermon.
The attaches of the English embassy
are frequenters at public receptions,
while the Japanese, Chinese, Spaniards,
Italians and Mexicans and members of
five various legations in the city, accept
whatever invitation that comes first. 1t
is the cosmopolitan aspect of congress
ional social life at the capital that makes
1t attractive. There is no place where
fads are followed faster, hobbies ridden
harder and eccentricities applauded more
than in Washington. A member of this
Heterogeneous mass describes this cos
mopolitan aspect as Bohemian
OF course, in this life Mrs. Cleveland is
the apex of the pyramid. She gives four
elaborate receptions every winter. The
first reception, which was given a week
reception are invited senators and their
wives, justices of the supreme court and
their wives, the correspondents at the
capital and whomever MIR. Cleveland de-
sires especially honored from the House
of Representatives and from the army and
navy.
The second series of these receptions is
TO be given to congress. OF course,
great many besides the senators and rep
n a * 70 l,os
vited, and in this the honor lies.
The third reception will be given on
Feb 3, in honor of the army and navy
and the marine corps. This is the most
interesting of the series and the smallest
of the three.
The last reception, Feb 6, to the public.
One who has never attended a recep-
tion at the white house can have no ade-
quate idea of the popularity of the chief
executive, no matter how unpopular he
may be in political life.
Mrs. Cleveland receives her guests in
the blue room, which adiOins the cele-
hrated east parlor She is always as
sisted by the wives of the members of
the cabinet, and a number of young So
ciety women and a mingling of society
men Everything is carried on with the
utmost precision. The private, the state
dining room and pantries are converted
into cloak rooms. Every person has his
wraps checked and fall in line for the
blue room. AT the last reception it took
an hour to get from the west stairway
TO where Mrs. Cleveland was receiving.
Each person is announced by an officer
of the army. Mr.. Cleveland shakes hands
and then Mrs. Cleveland gives a Igracious
bow, smiles the smile which has made
her famous, and extends her hand in such
charming way that it has become a
fashion To initiate her. 1t is not the most
improved method either 1t is such a
grasp of the hand as one might imagine
Martha Washington to have made in her
old court gown. Her hand makes a semi
circle, which suggests a delightful sur
prise at seeing you present. The guests,
as soon as they file past the reception
party, have the white house at their COM
mand. which, when most crowded, is
comfortable. The observatories, which
extend from the west wing almost
TO the war, state and navy build
ing, are thrown open to the public and
Illuminated by electricity. The Marine
Band is stationed in the grand hallway.
While deafening to those entering the
white house, it makes delightful music for
the guests in more remote apartments.
At the diplomatic receptions ambassa-
doris, minister's and attaches mingle in
among the guests and form delightful
topic for gossip. One can get a better
idea of contemporary customs of the day
while at this rpppnfiOn nj 40 -