The evening times., 1896-01-13
MRS. CLEVELAND'S MONDAY
Informally at Home to Her Friends
in the Red Parlor.
Mrs. Lannon'S . Luncheon in Honor OF
Miss WOodward-Other Gay
Events of the Week.

Mrs. Cleveland will give but one public
reception during the season. This will be
ON saturday afternoon, February l.
owing to the multitude of her official
and domestic obligations, she has been
compelled to draw the line at all outside
entertainments, even though 1t he an in
yitation from member of the Cabinet
circle.
When this decision was first announced
it gave rise to considerable feeling among
the women in official society, some OF
whom construed as an indication OF per
sonaI indifference what is really con-
sistent devotion TO domestic duty.
Few mothers OF young children pay more
careful attention TO the requirements Of
family life than Mrs. Cleveland, and while
she never neglects the more Important social
obligations, in the shape OF official recep-
tions and state dinners, she does not permit
the minor features of social life to en-
croach upon what she considers her duty
to her children and her home.
Every Monday. from 8 to p. H., Mrs.
Cleveland is Informally "at home'' to her
personal friends in the Red Parior. A ver-
bal invitation to these pleasant gatherings
is highly valued.
A feature of the reception is the cozy tea
table in one corner of the parlor, presided
over by some one among the young ac-
quaintances OF the hostess, whom she espe-
cially delights to honor.
The quaint old silver tea service in use
was once the property of George Washing
ton. and in the early days of the republic
was used by Lady Washington in the dis
pensing of hospitality.
1t might be considered toomassive for the
modern small tea table, but it has been
carefully preserved and adds a historic at
tractiveness to Mrs. Cleveland's'a homes"
Some of the delicate porcelain cups,
with deep-rimmed saucers. also used upon
these occasions. are portion OF set
purchased during the same period. An
other relic is the tall porcelain cpergne
of green md gold. ornamented with spread
eagle surrnounting the national shield.
Probably the most valuable OF these
treasures is the long French gilt mirror,
which is set in the center OF the long board
used for state dinners.
For while this was laid aside, in the
desire for variety of decoration, but through
the efforts of Mrs. Harrison it was re-
Everyone who has attended the Off
ciaI functions is familiar with this beau
tiful piece of foreign workmanship, but
few are aware that it was made TO Or
der in Paris, when the Executive Mansion
was in Philadelphia, and brought here by
order of Gen. Washington when the seat of
was removed.
A society woman has figured out the fact
that there are twenty-five matrons and
maids in Washington court circles who
are equipped mentally and educationally
to make their own living if they so desired.
They paint, play instruments, write,
and evep sew. They make themselves per-
feet by practicing these clever arts for
sake, but should the wolf
of necessity ever come their way they can
utilize their gifts to keep him from their
door.
There are probably five times as many
women in trifle lower stratum society
who do these things as cleverly and would
like to make their talents pay, but how
can they expect remuneration for their
songs and pictures and embroideries when
society can get these things done for it
heir talents without pay?
One OF these days things W illbe SO arranged
as to suit everybody, but it probably won't
be in this world.
Mrs. Lamont gave a handsome luncheon
today in honor OF Miss Wood ward and Miss
Bryant.
The centerpiecc of the table decorations
was OF white roses and maiden-hair ferns,
arranged, and at each plate was
a dainty corsa ge bouquet of violets tied with
violet ribbons.
The guests were: Miss Woodward Miss
Bryant, Miss Herbert, Miss Gray, Miss Mo-
MILAN, Miss Josephine Boarlman, Miss
Edith Patten. Miss Helen Hay, Miss Ander-
son, Miss Cameron, Miss Cassels, Miss
Miss Fuger, Mrs. Davis and
Mrs. Williams.
Still other teas were given by Mrs. Henry
Ellis of 925 Twenty-second street in honor
,f Mrs. Alexander Peake of Richmond and
Mrs. Amos Robinson, who was assisted by
Mrs. Swan, Mrs. Wasserbach, Mrs. Cush-
ng, Miss Mahon and Miss Wheeler.
The pretty afternoon tea at the home of
Mrs. George R. Vending, by the wife and
daughters of the brilliant orator, was one of
afternoons affairs. This was
! red tea, and effective in coloring and ar
angement. The grouping Of tall palms in
he drawing rooms furnished a backing for