The Washington times., 1895-01-27

handsome prizes were awarded as follows:
Mrs. Du Bots, ladies' first prize; Miss Laura
Morgan. second best ladies' prize. and Miss
Lee the consolation. Mr. Ford. gentleman's
first prize: Mr.. White, second best, and Mr..
Edwards. consolation. Those present were
Judge and Mrs. Wells, Misses Lee, Miss
Adams. Miss Berry, Miss Mattie and Mr.. van
Rensselaer, Morgan, Misses chapman, Mrs.
Houk, of Tennessee; Messrs. Hampton, I'D,
ward, Ford, Lee, Webber, Wells, White, and
Medley,
One immensely clever woman who has JUST
returned from long residence In Paris, COM
mented recently ON the vast change tnaf mas
taken place in this matter. when lett
Washington. the first year OF the Cleveland
administration. a fashionable bouquet meant
a few ghasfiy camslias wired together on the
end OF a toothpick surrounded by an uncom-
promising row of sIif green leaves resting
On a wide border Of awful openwork, stamped
white paper lace. Who would think OF send
ing or ordering such bouquet at the present
time? II any one thought of interior decora-
tions II meant crows foot garlands, spruce
and pine traes stiffly set about the place. Inc
widest Imagination did not grasp the idea OF
palms in private houses. and banking manteis
with cut flowers was then luxury un-
dreamed OF. When dinner party was 10 %
given the fiower-loying propensities OF the
guests had to be satisfied with a small insig-
niflcant centerpiece of short-stemmed Mowers
crowded anonymously together in bowl
or oftener in decorated vase in the center
of the table.
"The graceful luxuriance of ieathery ferns
studded with perfect specimens OF long
stemmsd roses, was but midsummer nights
dream Of the future. Then IL bride elected
10 tad nd updar a vy01dfnR hell
it was made of stiff, oiorless, bristiing white
inmorteIles that looked as though they had
been treated 10 a bath OF whitewash- WhaE
more ghouiish mummy of the floral kingdom
could be- chosen for a corpse? A chime OF
bells had not at that time even entered INTO
the imagination OF either local florist or en-
tertalner. The graceful decorations OF
smilax were then in a state OF earliest In
fancy. Asparagus vine had not even been
born to Washingtonians.
"If one went to a funeral what was the
sight that greeted the eyes in the matter oil
floral offerings? A few primly executed de-
signs in white and purple jmmortelles with
pillows emblazoning the impossible eondi-
tions OF "Rest'' Such thing as having the
easket covered with natural flowers IN every
variety and color, as is now the case, would
have raised a cry ofdesecrat1on. The cnange
that has taken place is far more stupendous
than you who have continued TO live In W ASH
ington have the least idea 1t IS simply mar
velous Now the floral decorations OF the
private houses are NOT to be exceeded any
where in this country or Europe III IS true
that in Paris the florists have a knack or put
ting together loose buncnes OF flowers Tor
debutantes and brides to carry that cannot
SIS yet be equaled elsewhere. but will come
in the near future"
Mrs. Uhl. wife of the Assistant Secretary Of
State, gave a luncheon yesterday at which
the decorations were in violet and yellow
There were corsage bouquets OF Parma vio-
lets and bonbon boxes combining the two
colors as souvenirs of the luncheon
The guests were Mrs. Fuller. Mrs Lamont,
Mrs. John N. Wilson, Mrs. Ruggles, Madame
Cana. Madame Arriaga, Mrs. Guzman, Miss
Hamlin. Mrs. Thurber, Mrs Dabney, Mrs
| Rockhill, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Titiman, Mrs.
! Wilcox and Mrs. Brice.
| Solicitor General and Mrs. Maxwell gave a
dinner party last night. The cen1erpiece was
/ OF Harassi lilies, rising three feet above the
/ table tied with broad white ribbons. THIS
/ rested on q cloth OF lace insertions over green
/ silk The end pieces were OF similar design.
/ Lilies of the valley formed a chain effect in
/ tertwinad with smilax. about the edge OF the
/ table. Gala lilies bearing the name OF each
| guest lay at each plate
/ The guests were Secretary OF the Treasury
| the Turkish minister, the Spanish minister
Mrs. Nellie GIANT Satoris. Senator and Ars.
| Mcmillan, DIR. and Mrs. Hammond, Repre-
sentative and Mrs. Cultivate, Mr.. and Mrs
Wnittemore, Miss Lse, Hon. Mr.. and Lady
| Georgiana Cough. Mr.. and Mrs. William C.
| Endicott, Representative and Mrs. DAME
| Lockwood, and Senator and Mrs. Gray.
/ The dates for the Cabinet dinners in honor
i of the President and Mrs. Cleveland yet TO be
! given are January %. by the Attorney Genera
/ and Mrs 0lney; February ). by Postmaster
/ General and Mrs. Bissell; February II. by
/ the Secretary OF the Treasury and Mrs. Car
| Isle. and February 10, by the Secretary o
/ Agriculture and Miss Morton.
The home of Mr.. and Mrs. W. Taylor Greene
/ was the scene last Wednesday evening OF ;
/ very pleasant party given in honor OF th'
nineteenth birthday OF their guest, Dir. vii
liam Robert Morris.
/ Mr.. Morris was the recipient OF many band