The Washington times., 1895-02-15
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND DoINGS,


ST. Valentines day and the last card re-
ception at the White House were simulta-
neously marked on society's calendar in
Washington. President and Mrs. Cleveland
welcomed the officers of the Army, Navy, and
Marine Corps as the especial guests of honor
last evening. AS usual there was a fine show
ing of gold lace, the clanking of many dress
swords, the glistening OF epaulets, and the
customary parade of bullion-decorated cha
peaux, as the officers, with the ladies OF their
families. passed through the Blue Room TO
greet the head of the nation.
The very decided moderation in the weather
brought out larger showing of the older
officers than would have otherwise been the
case. In the corridor the gathering of the
guests of honor began some time before 8
o'clock, as the officers of both branches Of
the service nearly always observe military
precision in the matter of their attendance at
any of the White House entertainments.
The reception to the Army and Navy is in
variably more of q clannish affair than any
other of the card receptions given by the
President. The esprit du corps among the
guests is apparent even to the utmost
stranger. Just as the reception to the diplo-
matte corps is the most brilliant Of the sea-
son so that to the Army and Navy is the most
social, the one least devoid of formality.
Even the Marine Band takes its cue from the
nature OF the occasion and plays throughout
the evening patriotic tunes that are full OF
"reminiscences 10 the old warriors and inspir-
iting in their effect upon the younger men
and women present.
The same idea was carried out in the East
MI ha HaaOrnfinnc n htc
crimson anchor in honor of theNayy on one
of the fower-banked mantels, and a large
floral star on the corresponding mantel on
the east side of the room. For the rest the
decorations were mainly Of palms. The pill
lars were bound with small palm branches,
and from the ceiling down over the big mir
rors half way down waved immense palm
leaves. Growing palms were in the windows
and corners of the room and the ceiling Was
festooned with garlands of asparagus vines.
The arrival of the President and receiving
party was preceded by the Secretary OF the
Navy, who escorted Mrs. Perrine into the
Blue Room back of the line, where they were
Interior and Miss Benedict. of New York, the
latter having arrived yesterday afternoon for
a visit to the White House.
Col John VI. Wilson and Lieut.. Gilmore,
Z. S. A, made the introductions. as usual.
Mrs. Cleyeland's gown was that worn by
her for the first time on the occasion of the
last state dinner, week ago. 1t was of rose
pink spangled in gold. with gold spangled
lace on the low-necked corssge. coronet
Of filigree gold was the only ornament worn.
Mrs. Carlisle's gown was of lavender bro
cade and satin, with point lace on the cor
sage, and diamond ornaments.
Mrs. Gresham's gown was of fowered chif-
fon over pink silk.
Mrs. Lamont's gown was of white satin
with thread lace on the low neck corsage
caught with diamond pins
Mrs. OIney's gown was of pink and white
satin brocade and Duchesse lace.
Miss Morton's gown was of gray satin
brocade trimmed with black lace.
Mrs. Bissell, Miss Herbert. and Mrs. Hoke
Smith were not present at the reception.
Lieut.. Gen. and Mrs. Schofield were present
and came IN for quite an ovation of congratu-
lations as the general wore for the first time
tonight the insignias of his new rank of
lieutenant general of the Army.
Mrs. Schofield wore most elegant gown
OF light blue satin, with diamond ornaments.
In the East Room the general appearance
of the guests at the reception was SO decid-
edlY Juvenile as to give 20 the fine apart
ments the appearance of a kindergarten en-
tertainment or child's party with here and
there an elderly member of the family 70 act
as chaperone. Nearly every officer was ac-
companied by some very young member of the
household, who certainly rewarded the efforts
in their behalf by enjoying the occasion to
the utmost. There was an aggregation of
good gowns that, combined with the pre-
dominance OF gold lace on the officers uni
forms, produced fine effect.
Among those at the reception were Judge
Advocate General and Mrs. Lieber, Surg.
Gen. and Mrs. Sternberg Rear Admiral. Mrs.
and Miss Crosby, Miss Jean Crosby, the Bra
lillian Minister and Mr.. Mario de Mendonca,
the Turkish Minister, the Mexican Minister,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lowrie Bell, Miss Anne Stafford,
Miss Frances Osborne, Mr.. and Mrs. c. S.
Dennis, OF Boston; Maj and Mrs. Parker,
Brown, Mr.. Eugene Fechet. Mrs. Isaac Hen
derson, Miss Margaret Cox, Miss Sallie Cox,
Dr. and Mrs. Larkin Glazebrook Mr.. and
Mrs. Harmon Brown, of New York;
Mr.. and Mrs. Malcolm Henry, Miss
Casey, Lieuts. Mcdonald, Logan, and
Davis, U. S. N; Capt. and Mrs. Barry,
Judge Powers, Col. and Mrs. Gilmore, Lieut..
Gordon Heiner, Mrs. Robert Heiner, Miss
Edith Heiner, Mr.. and Mrs. A. J. Halford,
Mr.. and Mrs. William E. Curtis, Mr..
Frank Martin, Col. and Mrs. Boil
ton, Representative, Mrs. and Miss
Bynum. Hon. Hosea M. Knowlton, attorney
general, of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Knowl-
ton, Lieut.. Commander William P. Randall,
q. s. NJ; Mr.. and Mrs. 81. Broesel, OF New
%St ths III. ouoh DOnmdp, Va NOW IOEh,
and Mrs. CLAWS, Gen. and Mrs. Vincent. SEN
ator and Mrs. Carey, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
G. Dultn, the Misses Larner, Capt. and Mrs.
Dunwoody and Miss Brewer.
The reception was large one, and the ar
ray of carriages drawn up outside of the
White House more imposing than at any
previous reception Of the winter.
The Misses Cabell gave Valentine lunch
con YESTERDAY in honor of Miss Stetson
whose marriage to Lieut.. Fletcher, u. S. N.
will take place in this city on the 18th inst.
The table decorations were all in pink and
emblematic of the occasion celebrated. At
each place lay dainty valentine tied with
pink ribbon. The floral decorations were of
pink carnations, corsage bouquets of which
were distributed at the conclusion of the
luncheon.
Among the guests were Miss Stetson, Miss
Proctor. Miss Julia Wilson, Miss Worthington,
Miss Saville, Miss Noyes, Miss Kaufman,
Miss Bentley, Miss Boutelle and Miss Rose
Macdonald.
EF;e, Do,aa;a& Nro-- Vo~I- ,.-;.-ol