The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-02
A BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
The New Years Reception Given ut
the White House.
SEVEN THOUSAND PERSONS WAITED.
Reception Rooms Presented Scene
Of Dazzling Beauty.
WEN THOUSAND PERSONS WAITED.
DIPLOMATS IN FULL COSTUME.
President ana Mrs. Cleveland shook
Hands with Every CaIlcr-.Irs.
Clcveland's Simple Gown.

Washington, January 1.-Seven thousand
persons waited outside the White House
today for periods varying from one to six
hours. But patience had its reward in
every case, for the president and Mrs.
Cleveland shook hands with every one OF
them.
The closing New Years reception of tie
present administration was the most brill
liant of Mr.. Cleveland's whole eight years
In office. and old Arthur Simmons, the
presidents famous colored messenger.
whose service in the White House dates
back thirty years, shook his head as he
viewed the far-reaching crowd from an
upper window and declared it de biggest
inception sens de wah."
The gray sky that threatened, but which
did not fall. served merely as a foil to the
brilliant pageant that moved for hours
through the forest of tropic plants that
filled the softly lighted parlors inside the
executive mansion. The diplomatic corps,
as usual, furnished the high lights In the
picture Foreign uniforms and decorations
OF every sort, from the silver and white OF
The German military attaches to the green
and crimson silks of the Chinese minister,
almost served to pale the Paris gowns of
the receiving party and of the guests be-
meath the line. Only shade more sub
dued We're the uniforms of the army and
navy, Il study in blue and gold accentu-
ated by the yellow plumes of the cavalry
and the scarlet facings of the artillery. AS
u Background for this display was set the
dead black of the evening dress of the
statesmen and diplomats. worn in accord.
ance with their social law in such matters,
and the sober morning costumes of the
civil officials The center OF tho picture
WIS Mrs. Cleveland. the most simply
gcwnod of tho receiving party. Her dress
OF pale MORE had high rouching OF smoke
gray lace at the throat and wrists. 1t was
caught with butterfly bows OF same on
shoulders and on the plain smooth hanging
skirt. Her hair was coiled ut the back and
brought in full waves from her forehead
over her temples. She was slightly
flushed by the rapid exercise of hand
shaking, but smiled as cbeerfuly and
shook hands as vigorously with the last OF
her 1000 callers as he had with the first
Washington, January New Years
day broke raw and cloudy over the Nation
al capital. but the weather was not all
lowed to mar the success Of the great an
nral reception given by the chief magis-
trate at the executive mansion to official
and unofficial Washington.
The White House reception inaugurated
the social festivities of the winter and is
in many respects the most important f,nc-
ton of the year. 1t Is the occasion when
the president his cabinet and their fami.
lies formally exchange greetings aud joy
Gus good wishes with the high dignitaries
OF the government and diplomatic represen
tatives of all the nations of the world the
officers of the army and navy and the gem
eral public. The reception this year was a
brilliant success For three hours. from
ii O'Clock until p. m. in the afternoon,
the reception continued. Long lines of
carriages moved slowly through the splci-
Gus grounds to the porte cochre whare
their occupants alighted and made their
way through the brilliant and beautifully
decorated parors, to whore the receiving
party stood in tho blue parlor. In the
anteroom tho full marine band played.
The official programme was carried out
with strict formalty. The cabinet and
the diplomatic corps, the judges of the SUI
preme court the senators and represeufa-
lives and other dignitarios Of the govern-
ment arrived in regular order ana after
passing through the parlors and exchlng- |
ing New Year greetings with the receiving |
the full brilliancy of the occasion occurred |
The elegantly sowned ladies'. the members |
OF the diplomatic corps in full court cos
tune and the Officers of the army and navy |
in uniform, moving through the throng |
made Kaleidoscope picture. The gem
eral public stood in line for hours outside |
the White House gates until tho officials |
had all betn received. Then for over an
hour they streamed in.
The decorations of the interior of the |
White House We're altogether floral. Indeed |
little else than flowers could be added TO |
the simple yet elegant permanent adorn-
mcnt OF the receiving suite without sem
sibly detracting from the effect Of the
whole. These however, were used in pro- |
fusion. and at the same time with such
fine taste and SO correct an estimate of the |
colcrs of values of the different apartments
az 10 add vastly TO the appearance of the |
noble suite.
The first of the apartments to be entered |
by the callers upon passing through the
lobby, the red room, so called from the !
prevailing tone OF the hangings and uphul-
story, was least lavishly bedecked with |
flowers, probably because it was intended
only for waiting room.
But Just adjoining it, the blue parlor, ia
nous in the history OF receptions. was dec
Grated with exquisite taste. Tall palms
interpsersod with foliage plants and gigan-
curtains. which shut out the light OF day
from the rooms. Solid hunks OF the rarest
flowers covered the mantels, and beauti-
full and unique runner OF ivy crept along
the friezc. the cornice and around the door
ways and over all strcamcd the soft light
from hundred electric globes, suspended
In crystal chandeliers and placed around
the walls The effect OF the lighting upon
the delicate blue tapestry which covered
the walls and the blue upholstery OF mas
sive furnishings was extremely effective.
Very appropriate were the decorations of
the next suite. the green room. They were
Of an emerald east. and while there was an
apparent absence of flowers. an inspection
Of what seemed only foliage disclosed the
scent Of many rare end curious orchids
and prettily marked grasses and small
palms, all embedded In green jardinieres.
Tho east room WIS the glory Of the house