The herald., 1897-01-27

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Washington law makers could only see
the marvels of that reservation and how
they are misimproved, the remedy
would be forthcoming. He could not
bring them all to the park but he could
take the park to them. in his photo
graphic camera. And that he has done,
in a magnificent series of colored views,
to be thrown upon a screen.
The event Is set for the evening of
Feb. 9Th, and will be brilliant one,
socially as we'll as in the character of the
audience. Not a seat in the house will
be sold, and money cannot purchase an
invitation.
STATE FUNCTIONS.
But brilliant events" are everyday
matters in Washington at this stage Of
the season. First, of course, are the reg
ular state affairs at the White House.
The last diplomatic levee which the
Clevelands will hold in the White House
was fitting finale to the social side of
the administration. The executive man.
sion, decked with flowers and agow
with electric lights, never looked bet
ter. Mrs. Cleveland, who shook hands
with each of her several hundred guests.
wore a striking gown of pompadour
silk, a background of turquoise blue,
brocaded with half-blown pink roses,
trimmed with passementerie butter
flies; necklaces of diamonds, and hand
some jewels in her hsrr All the cab.-
net members and their families were
present and the diplomatic corps was
fully represented, with the sole excep-
tion of the Japanese legation, which is
mourning the death of the empress dow
ager of Japan. 1t was also grand op-
era week in Washington, and many of
the distinguished guests, who had paid
fabulous prices for their boxes, enjoyed
the novelty of doing" the White House
reception between the acts. Senator
and Mrs. Brice, who were entertaining
Mfllie Lilli Lehman in their box that
night, presented her to the president
and his wife. The prima donna was
conspicuous figure even in that gor-
geous thrOng. Her dress, of rich white
satin, was made severely plain; but oh
the jewels! Upon her head was mag
nfficent diamond tiara of five immense
stars; the gems all of great size ana
purest water. Around her throat was
a necklace of very large diamonds,
worn above one of pearls, of remarkable
size and beauty. One little circum.
stance connected with the opera which
escaped the notice Of most people. is
worth mentioning. The La Fayatte
Square opera house of today is the old
Blaine mansion, lately purchased of
Mrs. Blaine in spite of almost national
protest, and remodeled for it's present
use. 1t happened, that Mr.. Walter
Damrosch, the leader of the orchestra,
sat welding his baton upon the very
spot where he had stood with Miss Mar
garet Blaine to be married. few years
ago. when her father was secretary Of
state.
A FAIR DEBUTANTE
Among the most beautiful balls of this
or any previous season was that recently
given by Senator and Mrs. Stewart of
Nevada to introduce their granddaugh-
ter, Miss Bessie Fox--a tall, fair girl
who has been abroad some years COM
pleting her education. Over eight hun
dred invitations were issued, including
everybody Of prominence at the capital.
The architectural magnifcence of
Stewart Castle" as the senator's great
stone house is called. Is almost matter
of history, since it stood alone in it's
grandeur long before the present era of
palatial homes enabled Washington to
rival any city of the world The en-
trance hall. baronial in shape and vast
ness, and finished In the warmest shade
of Indian red, was transformed for the
occasion to an exotic garden of palms
and southern ferns The grand salon is
draped with Beauvais tapestries and
laid with oriental weaves.
Its gilded Florentne chairs and
couches, with their superb brocades, are
as rare works of art, in their way as
the paintings and statuary that cover
of rare mosaics massive lamps burned
under silken shades. Bric-a- -srac,
brought from the four corners of the
earth, trailing vines and long -stemmed
LaFrance roses were everywhere. In
the center of this ideal environment
stood the youthful debutante, in a simple
gown of white satin, touched with pearls
and point applique, her beautiful gol-
den-brown hair (Which Nevada might
call plain red) brushed back in the plain
est fashion Mrs Stewart received in a
magnificent costume of white and gold
brocade, so stunning that it somehow
reminded one of the gilded furniture in
the salon. She was assisted by Miss
Bessie Stewart. the Oldest daughter of
the household in a dainty creation of
pink satin and chiffon, and Mrs May
Belle Stewart Payson, who was mar
fied last June and appeared In her we'd
ding gown of white satin covered with
priceless lace. Bessie" by the way.
is family name, In honor of Mrs Stew
art, who was Betsy in the days before
fortune smiled so bountifully.
The immense ball room, which is one of
the largest and finest in Washington,
had no other decorat tions than its fine
paintings in their heavy Florentine
frames. alternated with panels of pale
blue silk tufted with Chinese dragons
wrought in gold thread, and the screen
VI tropical lOlldSe IN front OF the re-
cessed stage which hid the band from
view. AS is customary at all Mrs
Stewards large entertainments, the
great dining room was opened at 1O3O
and thence throughout the evening.
On the perfectly appointed tables, the
white damask had a width of pink
satin extending down the middle, COW
cred with point lace, Along this center
piece tall silver epergnes We're ranged
filled with pink carnations, alternated
with silver candelabra capped with rose
pink shades and gold and silver bowls of
rare fruits and bon-bons. Hardly second
in brilliancy to the Stewart ball was the
reception given the other day by the Chi
nese minister and Miss Yank Yu in the
imposing brownstone building of the
Chinese legation three big houses
thrown into Onc-above which floats
the imperial yellow flag of the howery
kingdom. Here dwells the largest dip
lomatic family in Washin gton, including
twenty secretaries, attaches and trans
lators. 1t was an afternoon reception.
between the hours Of and7. The draw
ing rooms and ball room were filed with
foreign dignitaries and the notables of
resident society. Mr. SEE, an attache
who speaks pigeon English "velly WELL"
presented the guests to the minister and
his wife. Mrs. Yang Yu is a lovely little
lady, always painted like fan or pa
CODA, and delighted as child with the
attention which she everywhere receives.
The minister wore his native dress of
rich brocades ,and his wife was resplen-
dent in brocaded satin Of so many colors