Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-01
The New Year Reception at the
White House. {.
HANDSOME GOWNS AND GAY UNIFORMS
The Diplomatic Breakfast and
Other Functions.
AT CABIN EFT HOU U S E S

President and Mrs. Cleveland have again
exchanged New Year greetings with the Of
fetal and diplomatic world of Washington,
and another scene full of life, intense per-
sonal interest and brilliant coloring has
passed into history. 'Ninety-tive brought
Cleveland weather with it. crisp air and
clear skies. No New Year reception would
be endurable. much less perfect, without
the sunshine. Today it streamed galore
through every south window and percolated
in tiny streams across the floors. If 1t was
pleasant to see the sun inside, it was hap
piness and comfort for the hundreds who
were waiting outside for their part in the
pageant to commence. Before 10 o'clock
Capt. Dexter and his army of assistants,
the florists and the servants of the house
hold, were all busy in their respective baili-
wicks. Lieut.. Daley had fifteen of his men
in fatigue uniform, distributed at points on
the main floor, while thirty-tour uniformed
men, with five mounted officers, had charge
of the arrangements outside of the man
sion.
AT 1870 Sir Julian Pauncefote and family
arrived and at once repaired to the red
parlor where they had the pleasure Of
greeting all the rest of the corps as they
catered. The diplomats spent a merry
quarter of an hour together before The
coming down of the President and receiv-
ing party. Col. John NJ. Wilson, in his full
dress uniform, the picture of an ideal Off
Ger, was early on the scene and contributed
by his Glse direction in starting every
thing going the right way.
Within the House.
The mansion was very tastefully deco
rated and entirely with the plants and
ha
the White House florists. under the direc-
ton OF Mr.. Pfhister. The central point
was, OF course, the blue parlor. where the
doors, mantels and mirrors were draped
with garlands CT smilax. The window
inches were filed in with palms and rub
ber plants, against which nodded the long
stemned blossoms of the scarlet ponsetta
One of the mantels was banked with cut
flowers, in white and scarlet, and the
other filled in by row Of variegated
plants and primroses. Atop of the blue
divan was the usual tall bouquet of white
came1lias and hyacinth blooms and a
fringe of yellow trumpet flowers In the red
parior where the diplomats had a chance to
enjoy the sight more than the other call
ers, the mantel shelf had row of white
primroses, and on the tables were bouquets
of Gala lilies and white pOinSetta flowers.
In the green room pink primroses made a
soft-toned touch of color amid the greens
of the palms and maidenhair ferns. In
the east room the mantelS were banked
with blooming and foliage plants and small
palms, anG the deep window receSSeS all
round the apartment were JnasSed with
tall palms and rubber plants and scarlet
poinSetta plants.
The Reception Begins.
The reception commenced on time-at II.
When the great burst of melody came from
the band the President and Mrs. CIeve-
land and the cabinet officers and their
ladies came down the west stairway and
passed into the blue room. After the Pres
ident and his wife followed the Secretary
of State and Mrs. Gresham. the Secretary
of the Interior and Mrs. Carlisle, Secretary
and Mrs. Lamont. Attorney General and
Mrs Oiney, Secretary and Miss Herbert
Postmaster General and Mrs. Bissell and
Secretary Morton and Miss Morton. Sec
rotary Carlisle came later and Joined the
company in the blue parlor. After the cab
met officers and their ladies had formally
paid their respects to Mr.. and Mrs: CleVe-
land, the diplomatic corps passed through,
headed by Sir Julian Pauncefote, its dean.
The Secretary of State made the presenta-
ton to the President, who repeated each
name for Mrs. Cleveland. The diplomatic
reception did not occupy more than twenty
minutes, when the scene again shifted and
the reception of the great American public
commenced. Col. Wilson made the rest OF
the presen tations, assisted by Lieut.. Gill
more. who repeated each name for Mrs.
Cleveland.
Roth President and Mrs. Cleveland went
at their hand shaking in their usual hearty
fashion. The President gave the squarest
shake hands most OF his callers have en-
icved since they pressed his digits last
He wished everybody Many happy re-
turns" Mrs. Cleveland tucked up her
glove at the wrist and gave the vigorous
hanG-shake for which she is noted. She
down stairs, but the heat and excitement
sent the color to her cheeks. and her face
assumed it's usual brightness. The cabinet
ladies, taking pattern after her. all shook