The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-20

surface, flock OF ducks, lIc lSSs dll''
! confections were fashioned daintlly
as fish or fowl, Mrs. Cleveland having
a bird on a nest, and Mr.. Cleveland, Z
/ seine filed with fishes. Above b..e ~
table a dome was suspended ILL., als red.
ferns and dotted with foFe .y.onent the
white and blue lights, " a9at ar1Is ferns
| states. os ~ room, and amid the
les1g ItI, If greenery, cages OF song
~, mT,Is' were hung, the little inmates
making the air vocal
Corsage bouquets of Arizona Elics
for the ladies and orchids for the men
were set beside the covers.
Al North Carolina young woman
furnishes me the following charming
account of the recent dinner given by
the Secretary of the Interior to the
President. Many readers of this cor
respondence viii be glad to read
description from the pen of an ac-
complished young lady who sees with
a woman's admiration OF the beautl-
full:
ION Saturday evening, February
18th, the Secretary of the Interior, ana
Mrs. Hoke Smith, entertained at dln-
ner the President, Mrs Cleveland,
members Of the Cabinet, Senator and
Mrs. Gordon, and Hon. Henry q.
Turner. of Georgia. To do justice to
the beauty and elegance OF the de-
corations and of the menu lies not
within the power of my pen. But ]
would like to give you faint idea OF
how lovely they were. The drawing
rooms of this hospitable home, elegant
in it's appointments, were fragrant
with cut flowers, and bower-like with
palms, trailing asparagus and ferns.
But in the dining room the beauty ana
gorgeousness of the scene has rarely
been excelled or equalled. From the
center of the ceiling, emerging from
large mistletoe cross of forty-flve
electric lights-red and blue, with
flashing white one in the center
swung long, graceful wreaths OF as
paragus plumOsa, caught up at the
ends of each, festooned with myriad
electric lights like flashing jewels.
Underneath this canopy OF delicate
green, numbers of bright hued cana
ries disported themselves as if pouring
out their little hearts in melody
Around the room the songsters and the
delicate green of foliage carried out
most beautifully the idea of summer
bower
"On the broad board, that shone
in the elegance of its cut glass and sill
yer, dainty linen and delicate china,
lovely lake mirrored in its bosom the
surrounding luxurious foliage, the deli
cate adiantum farleyeuse, superb
species Of maiden hair, while the
pure petals Of the beautiful Amazon
lily raised their heads above the water
of the lake From the pyramid center
dainty little rockery from which also
cleaned the Jewels like globes of cleo
trio lights, the slender leaves Of rare
foliage plants lifted themselves, while
the same sparkling globes CLEANED
half-hidden beneath the wealth Of
maiden hair, fringing the lake. With
in the water gold fish could be seen,
and here and there tiny ducks served
to remind the guests of our Presidents
favorite amusement.
s'The menu was most perfectly car
ried out. the ices being most eminent
II suggestive of the distinguished
guest-the shapes being those Of a
FISHING basket, with fish-rod and line
in excellent imitation, and also birds
nesting in an old tree trunk, against
which rested very clever representa-
ton of gun. The corsage bouquets
and bontOnnieres were floral works
of art. consisting of maiden hair or
chids, lilies of the valley and yiolets.
The brilliancy Of the scene can
hardly be over-estimated. Its gorge
BUSINESS reminded one of the ancient
feastsof LuculIus, and the aumptaous
banquets Of the Epicureans, and the
conception and perfect execution Of so
beautiful an idea show how ingenious
and perfect a hostess is the fair young
Southerner who has given the typical
cabinet dinner of the season She
realized that such an occasion was one
in which our national life might be
typified and her patriotism was evil
denced in the flashing colors Of old
glory, and in the cleaning representa-
tives of the members of our glorious
Union. Right gladly would the guests
accord to the cleaning white globe Of
the center gracefully called New
York, i'm honor Of the President the
name Of the grand old State OF
Georgia.
Mrs Smiths gown was very ele-
CANT pink satin, brocade with elaborate
trimmings OF point lace. Her JeWels
were diamonds But | would like to
say that those who know Mrs. Smith
think that dress but adds to the
presidential nomination hasneyerhelp
charm OF her personality and Is no
part Of it.
THE South is justly proud Of this
fair representative at our National
Capital, not only because of her in
telligence and beauty Of person. but
more because Of the beauty of her life
and character, which is the keynote
Of all true Southern womanhood, and
because her life in Washington means
what is purest and best, what is most
for the glory Of God in the high circle
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