Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

spendence )-NeW Years day in Wash ington was bright and beautiful, and, notwithstanding the various predictions that calls would not be in order many ladies kept up the old custom and While one-third of the social world received the other two-thirdS went calling. AS usual, the men were out in large num-. bers, and those who did not own their own carriage hired them, although many paid their visits on foot.
 Men nowadays complain that New Years calling is not what it used to be. The good old merry days have gone. Once on a time the masculine sex was allowed almost unlimited privileges in the drink ing line on the first of January, and It was considered all right if the gay youths went home on winding up their calls slightly the worse for wear and wine. Things have changed. Men are expected to do the honors of the day, but they arc expected to keep up an appearance or so- briety
 President and Mrs. Cleveland ex- changed the usual New Years greetings with the official world, the representa- lives of all the foreign countries with whom we hold diplomatic relations and with the public The reception was a brilliant affair. and while the ceremonies did not vary from past years, time and politics had provided an almost entirely new audience. The White House was decorated profuSely with palms. white camelias. lilies of the valley and hya- cinths. Some of the palms reached near ly to the ceiling. The walls were gar landed with smilaX. Every nook and cranny was filled with plants. The man tels were banked with flowers. Mrs CleVelands gown was of white and mauve striped satin The bodice had a high stock collar of mauve velvet and jabot of lace falling over a vest of white satin richly embroidered in silver and pearl beads. A few diamonds giistened in her corsage.
 As usual, Mrs. Cleveland removed her gloves and shook hands vigorously with everyone. The beautiful gowns of the receiving party and the gorgeous uni forms of the diplomatic corps and the army and navy officers made the scene u gay one. When at o'clock the re- ception closed 5000 people had called on the president Mrs. Cleveland was in excellent spirits when the receiving par ty went upstairs for refreshments, and she seemed to have supported the fa- tigue of the day exceedingly well. The president, however, showed signs of ex- haustion and walked with difficulty, although he afterwards told somebody that the mental pleasure of the occa- sion overbalanced his physical discom- forts. Several ladies tainted during the reception, which affords some intima- tion of the strain of public function like this.
 The vice-president and Mrs. Stevenson also held a reception. which was alto gether a brilliant affair and largely at tended.
 On New Years eve the magnificent home of Senator Brice was the scene of brilliant cotillion, given in honor of the Fist birthday of MT. w. Kirkpatrick I3rice The cotillon was danced late in the evening. led by Baron Ketteer of the German legation and Miss Helen Brice. Sixty couples composed the stately dance and there were nine favor figures. The favors were gay ribbons and sashes of bright colors, dainty French calendars, gorgeous "orders" for the men. ornamented with the American eagle; scent bottles. with silver tops, for the ladies, and a rabbits foot mounted in silver for each of the men, Then there were flowers, fans balloons for the ladies, and balloons with whistles for the men. Two orchestras discoursed tween tween dances Among thoss m pTsssnt were nearly all the ambassadors and diplomats. with their wives. besides Vice President and Mrs Stevenson, the Grants and the leading officials with their better halves.
 Col and Mrs Frederick Dent Grant are at present visiting Mrs. Ulysses s. Grant and they have come in for a great deal of social attention. Mrs, U. s. Grant and her daughter Mrs. Sartoris. located here permanently in the fall. Their handsome home has become social cen ter, and is a very attractive place. made more so by the large collection of me mentoes and curios which belonged to the ex-president The Grants are popu- lar in Washington, and Dame Rumor never loses sight of Nellie Grant So far, however, she has managed to defy the lon dit' of the fashionable world, and continues to remain heart-whole and fancy free, at least in outward appear ance
 Already the scene of so many bad stat ues, Washington is to have another whether a good or bad one is the ques- tion. This time it will be of General Sherman. The competition is very great, and some of the best sculptors in the country have submitted models and plans for the work which is to cost not exceed ing $98 900. The models will be on exhi- bition at the war department for two weeks, after which they will be carefully examined by board of experts, who will select the one they consider best. The board will be composed of such eminent scuptors as St. Gaudens and Olin War ner and such architects as Bruce Price Nand Colonel Post.
 Richard Mansfield Is in Washington with a splendid repertoire Not long ago. when the Holland Brothers were billed here for week, the posters had it this way: MT. Richard Mansfield has the honor to announce the appearance of the Holland Brothers" Mansfield's name is not so all-pawerful as he supposes. He Is a good actor; none but a fool would deny that but his conceit surpasses his ability, and he has, or rather assumes to have, British polish, to which he gratu- itously adds lot of English mannerisms that are offensive to American taste. He will not play next year, but will de- liver some lectures and devote himself to the Garrick theater. which he has leased and named, in New York Just now he is in difficulty. One of the actresses in his company is suing him for $500 back pay. She says he told her she lied when she approached him on one occasion for the money. And this has naturally added fuel to the fire of her indignation and resentment. Mansfield declares Miss Sanford must be out of her mind in ask Ing him for the money, claiming that he does not owe it to her.
 Della Fox is playing at the National theater to crowded houses She is a
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