Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-15
DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION.

The first official reception of Presi-
dent and Mrs Cleveland for this season
took place last evening. Hundreds Of
palms, large and small, were placed
about the brilliantly lighted rooms.
The executive mansion has rarely
been so beautifully decorated as it wss
last evening for the diplomatic recep
ton. The walls and ceiling of the east
room were festooned with smilax and
the same graceful vine entwined the
magnificent crystal chandeliers. The
large east window was arranged with a
tropical profusion of palms, crotons and
ferns of many varieties.
The north mantel was banked with
red roses, white hyacinths and Golden
Gate roses in beautiful arrangement.
The south mantel was banked in bride
roses, with rich hued pansies clustered
among the roses.
Tue brilliantly Illuminated room was
filled with richly dressed women and
handsomely uniformed men some time
before the hour set, 8 o'clock.
The President and Mrs. Cleveland,
with all the ladies of the Cabinet, form
ID line in the blue room, where the
presentations were made, first to the
President, and then to Mrs. Cleyelanc,
oy Col Wilson, tue guests continuing
lnto the east room. Passing down the
line of Cabinet ladies, the guests usual.
Iy only bowed unless they were persont
Hay acquainted with some of the ladies,
when they shook hands. Mr.. Cleve.
laud shook all by the hand, as did also
Mrs. Cleveland Behind The receiving
Inc was brilliant bevy of young ma
irons and debutantes, making beauti
ful background.
La the blue room the decorations
were entirely of palms and ferns, ex.
reptiug the eagle just over the door
way, of russell immortelles, with out
spread wings OF white, and underneath
red and wi ite scroll bearing the in-
cription, "E PluribuS Ununs.
AT 9 o'clock the Marine Band, under
he direction of Prof. Fanciulli, render
I'd the march which signalled the ap-
pearauce OF the President and Mrs.
Cleveland and the receiving party.
Mrs. Cleveland wore gown of rob
in's.egg blue pompadour silk, brocaded
in roses The bodice was of the new
rose velvet, with magnificent rose point
looped about the shoulders and fasteu-
ed with superb clusters of diamonds
and jeweled butterflies. One of the
butterflies was placed in her hair,
which was arranged in its usual simple
but effective fashion. A superb dia-
mond necklace clasped the beautiful
throat. and the gloves, which com
peted the toilet, were of robin's-egg
blue.
Mrs.. Stevenson was in black mousse
line and satin with diamonds of unusual
beauty and orilliancy. Mrs Olney stood
next in line, in a beautiful creation
of delicate lavender satin brocade, v h
trimmings of velvet of darker shade.
Mrs. Carlisle was very handsome in Ii
Inc brocade, point lace and diamonds.
Mrs. Lamont was gowned in black satin
with trimmings otjet and chiffon; Mrs.
Harmon, in yellow brocade and jet;
Mrs. Wilson, in black satin and bro
cade; Miss Herbert, in a gown of white
pompadour silk, with tulle and pearl
passementerie; Mrs. Francis, in white
satin and chiffon, and Miss Morton, in
lavender satin and black lace.
All the members of the diplomatic
corps, after being presented to the Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland, passed be.
hind the line, where they were imtne-
diateIy joined by the young ladies Of
the Cabinet families and guests of the
| WhiIe House.
Some of the most beautiful gowns
worn this season were seen for the first
| time last evening.