The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-01-05
WAS A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE
The Blue Room ThroDged With Unit
fJrms-But Few Congressman
In Attendance.

the inside canvas covers had been laid
carefully to prevent destruction of the
rich carpets by the trampling of the
thousands of feet which were to pass
over them. AS in past years decora-
tons were all floral. Consequently there
was something lacking in color but
from an artistic point of view this was
more than compensated for by the
beauty of the plants, neatly arranged
in pure white jar-dinniers of basket
work design.
The guests entered a the main door
of the mansion and crossing the lobby,
passed into the BEDROOM. where they
had an opportunity to divest themselves
of their wraps and coats before entering
the bluerOom, where the receiving party
was stationed. Two heavy couches had
been so arranged across the room as to
leave a small open place in the center.
thus shielding the president, mistress
of the White house and her servants
on the line of callers.
THE BLUE ROOM
The blue room was beautifully decor
ated with flowers a star-shaped white
blossom prevailing in such profusion as
to charmingly subdue all the prevalent
blue tint of the decorations and furnish
ings. In the lobby just within the main
doorway was stationed the full marine
band, making a gallant show in their
brilliant scarlet uniforms and discours-
ing with splendid effect a specially ar
ranged program of artistic merit The
music began with a grand inaugural
march by Faneuill, leader Of the band
The first to arrive at the executive
mansion were ladies of the cabinet who
were to assist Mrs. Cleveland in re-
ceiving. They were ushered upstairs.
where they removed their wraps and
were greeted by Mrs. Cleveland
Promptly at IL o'clock the receiving
party descended the western staircase.
First came Colonel Wilson with Lieu
tenant Gilmore, then President and Mrs.
Cleveland and then members of the cab
met with their ladies' They entered
the blue room and for few moments
there was a general exchange of COM
pilments of the season between persons
in the rooms.
GOWNS OF THE LADIES.
Mrs. Cleveland was attired in white
MORE antique, heavily embroidered with
silver and full sleeves. Her mother,
Mrs. Perrine, wore a heliotrope velvet
gown. ornamented with silver passe-
menterie Mrs. Gresham wore gown of
pldCk ana WIllt Sdlln. MIS-. OdillSle
wore gray MORE antique, trimmed with
sable and passementerie. Mrs. Lamont
was in buttercup satin, elegantly bro
caded in white with lace pattern. Mrs.
Bissell wore white satin brocade. Miss
Herbert was i'm light blue satin, richly
brocaded in pink Mrs. Olney wore pur-
pie bengaline, richly brocaded and
trimmed with lace. Mrs. Morton wore
toilette of black and white striped MORE
with point lace. A number of ladies,
including the wives and daughters of
prominent officials and personal friends
Of Mrs. Cleveland had been invited to
take positions behind the line with the
receiving party. so there was brilliant
array Of handsome costumes in the
room.
The program had been arranged, as
is customary, for the admission of the
different classes Of officials in the order
of their rank. Usually the vice presi-
dent is first to pay his respects to the
president, but this year Mr.. Stevenson
is south on account of the illness of his
daughter.
DIPLOMATS IN LINE.
The president took a position near the
west door. next to Colonel Wilson and
Lieutenant Gilmore, who were charged
with the duty of introducing callers to
the presidential party. Mrs. Cleveland
stood on the right of the president, and
the ladies of the cabinet, in line with
the members of the cabinet, Joined the
party in the rear and the reception be-
gan. The diplomatic corps was accord
ed first place in the ceremonies and
made a magnificent display as it en-
tered the blue room, headed by Sir Jul
iian Pauncefote, the British ambassa-
dor. with tall and erect figure, clad in
a brilliant diplomatic dress, and his
broad chest fairly blazing with dia-
mond stars Of various orders of knight
hood The Chinese attracted all eyes
by their rich silks and unique cut, and
everybody admired the pretty and pic
turesque figure presented by the wife
of Minister Yang Yu. The new Austrian
minister, Mr.. Henglemuller, was re-
spiendent in Hungarian uniform that
in color and richness outshone all
others.
JUDGES AND CONGRESSMEN.
Finally the diplomatic corps drifted
on TO the vast east room and mingled
with the crowd gathered there, and the
reception went on. BY rights the SUI
preme court should have come next, but
theywere belated and came in after 9TH
OF members of the judiciary-the court
II CLAIMS, the court Of appeals and the
district judiciary-being. in fact, pre-
ceded by a number Of senators and rep
resentatives.
After the diplomatic corps and judi