The times., 1897-03-26
THE PRESIDENT ITS GUEST
A Brilliant Reception by the Ma
tional Geographic Society.
MANY NOTABLES
ATTEND
The Parlors of the Arlington Filled
by Rare and Fashionable A.
semblage-Cabinet Officers, Dip
iomnts, and the Literary Set-Some
Superbly Gowned Ladies'.

The National Geographic Society invites
its guests, as it gathers its subjects for
discussion, from all quarters Of the globe
It's reception given last night at the A Ring
ton was, a usual, one of the most brilliant
asScmblagcs OF the winter season Of Wash
ington, but it is perhaps not inyidious TO
other receptions under It's auspices to say
that the occasion of last night was both In
the surroundings ana the company the most
notable of these events for many years.
1t was of special interest from the social
standpoint, inasnuch as the new Admins
tratlon, with its new officials, new per
sonagcs of note and new women Of beauty
and fashion. was numcrously representedin i'll
the attendance.
President Mckinley, as the head of the
new order of things political and social, and
who has a warm and sympathetic interest
in the objects of this splendid society, with
its thousand of prominent names on its
roster, bonored the occasion by his pres
ence. He remained nearly an hour, and,
with MI Myron T Herrick, of Cleveland. a
guest of the White House, made the ac-
quaintancc of some and renewed an old ac-
uuaintance with many others OF the dis
tinguished company.
IN JUe respect Oh III ueCOldllOh VI tit
two parlors and the banquet-room, the
occasion was also unusually elaborate in
aesthetic appointment. Thetahles window
easements, mantels, and light fixtures OF
the parlors were banked and otherwise
covered and filled with orchids and Aneri-
Can Beauty roses. Over the mirrors We're
garlands of gOlax, tied with orange and
crimson ribbons. Masses Of aZaleas rested
on the Inantels. In the window reCeSses
OF the banquet-room there Were hundreds
of palms and other growing plants, smllaX
was hung in festOOns all around the walls,
and also adorned the chandeliers. On the
buffet tables were Bride roses, Anne rican
Beauties, carnations, orchids, tulips, and
iouuuilS The superb lighting Of the
apartments made the scene one or vivid
and exquisite effect which was, of course,
made infinitely more so when the rooms,
after 9 p m, had been filled by ladies
in some OF the most gorgeous gowns worn
this winter.
In addition to the pleasures of the meet
ings of old and new friends there We're
singing and instrumental music, and the
elegant buffet luncheon The names on
The musical program were Mr.. Oswald
Welti, violinist; Mrs Hormcss. Mr.. Crosby,
Madame Diaz-Albertini, and MI. Watson,
the accompanies being Mrs. Byrnes and
DIR. Caulfield There were five numbers on
the program, each Of which was, how
ever, encored. During the assembly and
after the set program the Metropolitan
Mandolin Orchestra furnished its excel
lent music
The crowd was estimated at about three
hundred and made quite comfoTtahlU-Iiil-
ing for the reCeption-ToOms and dining
hall. It included very many OF the dlplo-
matte corns. members Of the Cabinet, and
generally the literary folks of the city
and of other cities. 1t was expected that
the President would attend, and there were
bones that Mrs. Mckinley and Mrs. Myron
T. Herrick would be among the guests, but
ONLY the abSen ce of these ladies was there
any cause for disappointment, because APP
parently ali others of official or social in
terest or prominence availed themselves
Of the privilege of their invitations.
The President arrived about 10 p. III.
He was accompanied from the White House
hv Mr. Stanley Brown, Of the reception
committee, and Mr.. Herrick. The Presi-
dent gave no sign OF any of the fatigue OF
the dav He was in an excellent social
he came in, took off his OyercOat, reveal
ing his black suit, with a solitary white
rose on the left lapel, and went in with
Mr. Stanley Brown. He was received by
the reception committee, his presentation
being made by Mr.. Gardiner q. Hubbard,
the president of the society, TO the commit
tee members.
The ladies on the reception committee
u T,vtnr
Mrs. T.. w Clarke, Mrs. Richardson Clover.
Mrs. w EIoroy Curtis, Mrs. c. W. Hayes
Mrs. J. B. Henderson Mrs u. 7 Merit
WACO, Mrs. George Westinghouse Miss
AiIcen Bell, Miss Elsie May Bell, Miss Cor
nell, Miss May Catlin. Miss Helen Ffoulke,
Miss Eleanor X Sewers, and Miss Helen
Tisdel.
Miss \. L. C. Leitner was on the com
rnttee, but was not present President
Mckinley stayed through the musical pro
gram and departed, declining politely To
attend another function to which ne was
eagerly invited.
A large part of the arrangements for the
receptiOn fell to the share OF Dr. DAVID
T. Day, the chairman of the general COM
mittec: Mr.. Everett Hayden, secretary OF
the society, and Mr Colin Studds of the
committee.
A party Of Importance next to that OF
the President was that Of Senator Mark
Hanna. With him were Mrs. Hanna, SUI
perbly gowned; and Miss Hanna rms
marty was very much in demand, Mrs.
Hanna having been accompanied TO the
banquet room by Mr.. c. j. Bell, chairman
of the committee Of the Inauguration
which Senator Hanna is said to have made
a possibility. The Presidential party
and this Senatorial party were not In at
tendance at the same time. Gen. j Adj
olson Porter and Mrs. Porter were also
among the notabIes and were also an
independent party, Mr.. Porter evidently
will not shine in society as mere Presi-
Dental attachment, fashion which was
but lately much in vogue.
The National Geographic Society had as