New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-12
WASHINGTON SOCIAL LIFE.
LENT" AT THE Ma
TIONAL CAPITAL.
THE END or THE SEASON on TUESDAY NIGHT
a PUBLIC RECEPTION AT THE WHITE
HoUsE-A WEEK OF DINNERS LUNCH



EoNs AND RECEPTIONS.
Washington, Feb. II (SpeciaD.-Presbyterlan Lent
set in with Ash Wednesday-that Is. defined by
a Presby teran woman-"the forty days OF Teasing
and prayer" The dearh OF dances through the
season makes their absence now hardy noticeable
so that things are to go quite as before. This
IS very much of Presbyterian Administration
and 1t looks If the "feasting and prayer"
Lent would greatly modify the old order of fasting
and prayer, 50 strictly observed a few years ago
In Washington number of the luncheon and
dinner hostesses this week and many of the guests
had previously gone to early morning service. Ac-
cOrding 10 the Presbyterian observance of Lent,
they were the better fitted by prayer to enjoy the
good things of the word.
The season by the calendar went out on Tuesday
evening. but with gay ending. and none Of
the festivities marking the wind-up OF former
seasons. That the season should end with Literally
nothing the social slate for the last evening
except public reception at the White House is
something hitherto unknown in the annals of the
capital. But there not single evening party.
and as the public reception the only one given
this year it was. of course, a crush.
Receptions at the White House can scarcely be
included among gay parties Those given to official
people more or less formal those given TO the
public are more or less avoided by everybody who
can go at some other time. and thus avoid the
crowd In days gone by ii was the custom FOR
the pubic each season, and the mistress of the
White House received the pubic every Saturday
afternoon. The every Saturday receptions ended
with the Administration of President Arthur, when
his sister. Mrs. McE,roy. made them attractive
alike TO official people and other people. and nearly
rs many of the former OF the latter contributed
TO the crowd" From that time until the present
winter the average number of Saturdays to the
public has been three, the dates of which were
named in the official programme at the beginning
of the season. 1t was in President Arthurs Ad-
minstratiOn that the number of dinners at the
White House reached high-water mark. evening
public receptions dwindled to one each season and
the custom Of three evening official parties began
TO a certain extent. President Cleveland, in MS
first term, made up for lack of evening and every
Saturday receptions TO the public by insitutlng the
custom of o'clock trl-weekiy Handwriting in the
East Room-a custom closely followed by his first
successor Benjamin Harrison. but discontinued
now by Mr. Cleveland. However. must 80 back
to President Grants Administration. before evening
official parties had n hold at the White House. 10
find time when pablo receptions were IN their
glory and genuine democracy in official society was
not a theory but fact Then everybody went 10 pub
lie receptions the highest officials without fear or
favor of the crowds" delighted go. and they
themselves large part of the crowds
The humblest citizens, quite as much without fear
or favor of official society. also delighted to go.
because the White House the common ground
respectablN; and good behavior.
The late Mrs. George Bancroft. an accomplished
woman Of wide experience in the latter days OF
her life would often lament what she declared 10
be the slow but sure decline Of the most Charming
social life of her time. "Ah. my dears." Mrs. Ban
croft would say her friends Il see the change.
and feel 1t more and more every year. Things are
not as they were when were al poor people
together. and had the most delightful parties IN
stuny little rooms. Now you have great houses
and grand parties but no social life. An my dedrs'
1t is the money. The money is creeping In. creep
ing in Why. in those days 1t made no difference
whether had money or not, and nobody cared Tor
great houses as you have now, like palaces. The
most brilliant and women were takers at our
parties, and there social life that Is stu
a charming memory. Yes. my dears. you may de-
pend upon 1t. the money is creeping in
Whether it is the money creeping in or what
not it is fact that the most striking feature OF
social life in Washington to-day is the undemocratc
democracy OF official society
The reception on Tuesday evening came close to
being a gay party. The admirable arrangements at
the White House and the good temper and good
manners Of the American people apparently under
no restraint. but free and easy and for the time
quite at home made the occasion one OF general
enjoyment and gave the end OF the season It's near
est approach to gayety. The White House was. IN
point of decorations. the same as at official parties
Beautiful flowers. bright nights ana poiu.ar music
by the Marine Band gave 10 400 persons pe4s-
ure which had only draWback-the necessarily
quick manner OF passing them through the Blue
Room. whore the reception was held -
Colonel Wilson made the presentations by name In
the first hour but gave IL up IN tle Seconn' W oiIer
10 gain time and get everybody in WITHIN me two
hours. But the President welcomed the guests win
his heartes handgrasp. and Mrs. Cleveland gave
them her sweetest smiles, along win hahd-ahahs
white satin with trimmings OF Duchesse lace. and
diamond necklace The women IN me g as D
back MORE ana point laee Mrs ,nInr Mr.
Lamont yellow satin. win goa anu pearl
fringe trimming Mrs Bissell PIN, strPed bro
Mrs smith white MORE embroidered in silver.
Miss Norton black satin and duehesse lace Mrs;
to the fatigue Of two hours handshaking. Besides
The Vice President and Cabinet officers IN the blue
Room: there were notwithstanding Hainhn OF
he MT and Mrs Wa naa % r Mrs
Marshal and Mrs. Wilson. Mrs John NJ. Wilson.
, aGq 1ac Mrs ah aepy Miss Waer and from the
Diplomatic Corps the Minister OF Mexico and the
In the early evening the Secretary Of the Treas,
Wy and Mrs Carlisle gave dinner her e 9eno Mss sl
Freyer Of Albany is making visit in Wssn ,ba
one given by the wives and daughters Of Repres-
entatlyes, at the National Hotel and dance at the
Mrs Lamont gave %pche?n to eGm E%
York. The table flowers were yioets. Among the
guests Mrs. Brice Mrs Hawley: Mrs. Hale.
Mrs Proctor Mrs Greelsy Mr. yr LSr gnr ME- Mr..
Belden, Mrs. Leiber, Mrs. Manning and Mrs Au-
denred.
Another pretty luncheon also on Tuesday was
given by the wife OF Representative Oates TO a com
pany OF young women asked TO meet MISS ierbert
The table flowers lilies OF the valley. with
ferns The company included Miss Draper, Miss
Stewart. Miss sherman. Miss Faulkner. Miss Cor
man. Miss Mills. Miss Morgan. Miss Gray , Miss
Tuggles Miss Condjt Smith Miss Berry. Miss Riggs,
Miss Lockwood. Miss Yarr, Miss Hutchinson. Miss
Dent and Mrs. Carver
on Monday evening the Secretary OF Agriculture
and Miss Morton gave dinner In honor OF the
President and Mrs. Cleveland The centreplece on
the table horn OF plenty. made OF carnations.
and filed with fruits The name cards were chips
OF oak. and the Ices In the form and color
or vegetables The guests besides the President and
Nrs cleveland were the Secretary or state and
AIRS Gresham. the Secretary Of the Treasury and
Mrs Carlisle, the Secretary OF War and Mrs La
mont the Secretary Of the Navy and Miss Herbert.
the Postma ster-Genera and Mrs. l}ssel the Secre-
= fhn Infnrlnr nd Smith. ASgiRtnni-