The Washington times., 1895-01-27


some 1000 persons, representing the great
American public, passed through the White
House and shook hands with Mrs. Cleveland
and the ladies of the receiving party.
In the morning things looked decidedly un-
propitious for the reception and more than
ever it was subject OF regret that it was to
be the first and only public reception given
by the Presidents wife during the present
winter. The weather-vanes later went pirou-
citing around and daunted themselves in the
right direction and after all the fears, signs,
and regrets, fair weather was ushered in.
1t dtd not take the public long to make the
most Of its opportunities in this respect. and
before o'clock the line OF those awaiting adj
mission to the reception had begun to form
in front of the White House. This line kept
receiving additions in the liveliest manner,
until by 3 O'Clock it extended three and four
| abreast from the portico to the outer gates.
The arrangements for preventing the usual
! overcrowdiDg OF the inner corridor were
more efficacious than upon any previous oc-
! casion of public reception. This was man
aged by closing all doorways leading into the
/ corridor except the one through which the
! people passed to be presented. In this way
! the corridor was kept clear as few cared to
! leave the line before being presented, and
! after tnat was accomplished all opportunity
]
them. Thus. though few persons were dis
/ appointed in not being allowed opportunity
/ to return TO the corridor for a second fleeting
| glimpse OF the receiving party and the guests
/ asked back OF the line in the Blue Room, it
was generally conceded to lie good plan. as
I it saved an infinite amount of dissatisfaction
in the end aad prevented repetition OF the
frightful crusnes that are generally incident
to public reception.
| The decorations were substantially the
same as those used at the state dinner on
! Thursday evening. except that the massing of
plants in the windows and down the middle
of the East Room were removed to give all
| the space possible for the people.
After the public had passed through the
Blue Room and greeted, aud been gre ted in
turn. by Mrs. Cleveland, they passed on to the
Green Room and thence to the East Room
Notwithstanding the oft-ropeated command
to pass on and make room for the newcomers,
the Green Room soon became q densely
packed mass of humanity, each and ali strug
Cling for place in front in order that a view
might be commanded of the Bluo Room,
Mrs. Cleveland, and the receiving party gen.
orally.
This state OF affairs extended to the East
Room, where on either side OF the doorway.
the people stood five and six rows deep,
many of them even mounting on top OF the
heavy chairs that were pushed into position
x
a chance to look over the heads OF those in
the front rank.
As by no possible craning of necks would Il
view of the East Room have been visible at
this distance the desired object was not al
tanned, but the people held on to their place
of supposed vantage ON the chairs at the
risk OF breaking their own or their neighbors
necks, and never descended until the rccep
ton was thing OF tho past
10 one was admitted within the doors OF
tie White House until 8 clock, at which
time promptly on the stroke Of the clock the
signal was given the Marine Band that Mrs.
Cleveland was really to descend from tho
upper corridor. Then, leaning on the arm of
Col John NJ. Wilson, who made the intro
ductions. Mrs. Cleveland dess sended the stair
way in u gown OF white crepe, ACCORDION
plated. with q Jacket of openwork gold en-
broidery over Il lace corsage. with full vest OF
the same. This fullness was fastened at the
waist by sash of white satin ribbon that tied
in n long bow, the ends extending TO the hem
of the gown on the iest side.
Directly behind Mrs. CIeYeand came Mrs.
Harlan, wife of Justice Harlan, in gown OF
black moire antique Mrs. Harlan WAS
escorted by Ieut. j. q. Gilmore. Mrs. Man
derson. in a gown OF yellow satin hrocaled
in lace effect in white with corsage trimmings
Of point lace. and Mrs. Mills, wife OF Senator
Mills, in 4 gowa OF black moiTe ANTIQUE
trimmed with woke OF yellow satin under
under insertions Of black lace diverging down
the gown from the waist line. walked behind
: Mrs. Harlan. These three ladies' were the
ones asked to stand in line with Mrs. Cleve-
land.
As they entered and took their places in
the Blue Room. they were followed by the
guests OF the President and Mrs. Cleveland
and the young ladies asked to stand back oi
the line to assist in entertaining the guests
to whom q similar invitation wss extended
{ after they had cen presented to the receiv-
: ing party. These ladies were Mrs, Perrne
r in a gown of pansy velvet with sleeves and
trimmings OF lighter shade OF brocade
Miss Dimock. OF New York, light blue satin
0 brocade with bodice of accordeon-plated
chiffon; Miss Benedict, of New York. in black
moire antique with bodice OF white chiffoI
with collar and girdle of cerise velvet; Miss
Patterson, in black satin with bodice of lig h
:, blue satin bIocade and velvet and yellow
i sash ribbons; Miss Walker, in white benga
r line with bodice Of white and gold bayadere
a striped crepon; Miss Enioe, in black lace
with collar OF cerise velvet: Miss Lucille
+ Blackburn. in gold color satin with corsagt
of black ACCORDION chiffon with full
sleeves of yellow satin; Miss Keats
Rodgers in black brocade with corsage o.
dark green velvet and lace; Miss Boardman
in black silk with bodice of white silk nowereC
Il in gray-coored velvet; Miss Fuller, in white
silk and lace with gold trimmings; bIis
Rochester, in light-blue brocade the Misse
: Gray. daughters of Senator Gray, in gra,
silk striped in pink and light-bue chiffon ant
crepon. After the reception was over an,
while the band was playing Home. Swee
! Home,'' Mrs. Cleveland and the receivin;
party passed from the Blue Room to th
Q upper corridor. where the Presidents wifi
9 PLAYED the part of hostess at an afternoon te
n at which they were the only guests.
t The LIST OF gayeties for the present wee
q is by no means very large one, though
d Doubtless the list will be augmented by mum
erous additions before the week is half over
The fashion OF issuing invitations on shor
= notice, especially dinner invitations, is on th
r. increase this season. Among the leading
events will be:
r This afternoon from to the German am
g bassador will give a tea in honor OF the En-
/ peror's birthday. Society generally will b
y represented at this entertainment.
II MONDAY
:, n Mrs. Schoneld Hoge and Miss Hoge wi
!. give tea from to O'Clock.
o In the evening Senator and Mrs. Brice Wi
+ give musicale.
= = Miss Voorhees, will give tea from to
, o'clock.
In the evening Attorney General and Mrs
Olney will give dinner in honor of tn
President and Mrs. Cleveland
= Senator and Mrs. Cali will give Dime
- and dance.
ID The first of the Tuesday cotillion5 will b
given at the National Rifles Hall.