St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-04-02
Letter From Washington.


ever name you may please to call her,
has prolonged her stay in this city be-
yond expectation. We recently attended
A reception which she gave to the public
one afternoon, in the spacious rooms OF
the 13.story hotel known as the Cairo.
This hotel was built by the well-known
contractor Schneider, and has a summer
garden upon the SUBMITS during the
warm months Julius Palmer OF Boston,
the business manager OF Mrs. Domnis.
had arranged the manner of receiving
the callers so carefully that there was
little crowding and jostling, and good
order prevailed. Only two ladies were
admitted at once, and cards with their
names and residence were required IN
order to gain admittance. Mrs. Dominis,
dressed plainly in black, stood near the
center OF the ROOM her lady companion
at some distance on her left and her
| Hawaiian secretary at the same distance
on her right, while a small band in the
rear played softly on the mandolin and
vioins. Mr.. Palmer compromised the
matter between the American and the
Hawaiian introduction by advancing to
within respectful distance of the lady,
bowling and saying, "your majesty, will
,,nr ol1o,u mo n Introduce you tn Mrc
Brown of Baltimore and Mrs. Smith of
New York; turning aside, he said, her
majcsty's companion" and then her
maesty's secretary" The callers, mostly
ladies', with now and then gentleman,
passed round the room forming semi
circle and stood watching the entrance
Of new guests. 1t was exceedingly enter.
tanning to notice the many and widely
different greetings of some hundreds OF
persons who were presented. Curiosity
was the leading motive which prompted
the majority to attend, Tor so much SYM
patty has been expressed for Hawaii by
the American people generally, and
dcnunciation of Mrs. Dominis and her
ingrattude to the American missionaries
who accomplished such grand work in
the elevation and education OF the people
of that island, that many visitors here
and residents Of Washington desired to
see this woman and Judge of her charac-
ter and intelligence for themselves.
Rumors have been current during the
winter that she is here for diplomatic
reasons; if she, herself, is not able to
come to the throne again, it is conjec-
tured that she would like to have her
niece placed upon it. Naturally, her
movements are watched carefully and
her conduct scrutinized. The different
manner of approach and greetings of the
callers at her reception, in most instances,
clearly indicated in what light she was
regarded. 1t was intensely amusing to
watch this moving throng and hear
their remarks. Individuaism often came
to the front. Some shook hands politely
Others bowed in digni6ed silence, followed
by Others who walked briskly up in regu
lar American style and said: "IIow do
you do, and how do you like Washing
ton and our country" Mrs. Dominis
confessed to two ladies that naturally
she preferred her native island and next
to England she liked America best
Her maiesty's companion was pro,
nounced by many ladies as the brightest
and most intelligent women of the two
Some young girls, who looked "very
English" made a courtesy and nearly
bowed the knee to her ex-royalty, to the
great disgust of their older American
friends. In the hall some caller:
remarked: She does not look so mucl
like heather as we expected" while
another observed: "Do not be deceived
she is here for purpose and is trying
hard to obtain an interview with Presi
dent McKinley.' The coup d'etat stock
stroke Of her agent in procuring seat
for her in the diplomatic gallery at The
Inauguration of President McKiule y
created quite ripple OF excitement al
the time.
This reception was in striking contras
to one given by New England lady
which we attended sometime since w,
refer to the closing reception of Mrs. Eek
Secretary Olney before their departure
for Massachusetts,. Mr.. Olney renteC
the large beautiful house OF Bcllam,
Storer, partly furnished with some ole
furniture which he had collected durin!
travels abroad. Mrs. Olney showed he
Yankee ingenuity in utilizing some o
those articles by placing ported plants
tropical palms and ferns in and arount
them, setting them off to good advan
tage. The large brass image OF Buddhi
in the spacious dining hall is said to b.
perhaps thS lnuSl Naluaolc one III tIl
United States, certainly considered fine
than the one in the museum here il
Washington, The old carved table ant
very large carved book case attracte,
attention. Mrs. 0lney is quite an idea
hostess; she has a charm of manner an,
, warmth OF greeting that is very winning
Mrs Cleveland and many of the dplo